Bachelor of Information Technology (Networking and Cybersecurity)

The bachelor of information technology (networking and cybersecurity) will see you focus on the security of business information systems in small to large enterprises. You will gain an in-depth theoretical understanding, as well as the practical skills needed to identify, analyse and mitigate risks in the management of a secure network. 

Snapshot

• Cyber security is one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia – and around the world – with rapid technological advancement and the evolving threat environment increasing demand that is set to see around 17,000 new jobs needed by 20261
• Professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society, the program has also been designed to prepare you to sit industry certification exams in Cisco, including Cisco-Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco-Certified Network Professional (CCNP) so that you may pursue highly regarded industry certification as well.
• You will enjoy a modern, practical approach to your IT education, with significant opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in real-world settings so that you graduate ready to meet the demands of industry.  
• Enjoy a common first-year across most IT degrees enabling you to switch between specialisations and receive credit for completed courses. This means if you change your mind about your IT specialisation after first-year, you can change programs and still complete your degree in 3 or 4 years full-time (depending on your degree length). Start now, decide later.
• On-campus teaching for this program is based at the Mawson Lakes campus. Only 20 minutes from the city centre with easy parking. The Mawson Lakes campus is also accessible by bus and train with the Mawson Lakes train station only a short walk.

Degree overview

• No.1 in SA for graduate skills in I.T.1. 
• Benefit from contemporary curriculum informed by UniSA research in areas such as cyber security, augmented reality and data analytics.
• Learn from dedicated, highly experienced teaching staff including practitioners employed in industry.
• Benefit from our well-established partnerships with industry offering significant opportunities for placements and industry projects.
• Focus on the security of information systems in contemporary IT systems.
• Experience purpose-built teaching spaces designed to facilitate collaboration and work-integrated learning.
• Develop the skills to support a network roll-out and maintenance.
• Gain an understanding of network topologies and devices such as routers and firewalls.
• Learn using the latest industry software and technology.
• Prepare for industry (Cisco) certification exams including Cisco-Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco-Certified Network Professional (CCNP).
• Professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.
• Start now, decide later. Enjoy a common first-year across most IT degrees enabling you to switch between IT specialisations and receive credit for completed courses.

What you'll learn

During your first year of study you will gain a solid foundation in networking, database development, programming fundamentals and systems analysis and design, before focusing on your networking and cybersecurity major that will you see you studying:

• Systems administration and design
• Network architecture and security
• Cisco-Certified Network Professional route, switch and troubleshoot
• Digital forensics and electronic discovery
• Cloud, virtualisation and storage

In your final year, you will put your skills into practice through our ICT Capstone Project. You may have the opportunity to work directly with an industry client, drawing on the technical expertise gained throughout your studies and applying professional skills – communication strategies, stakeholder relationship management, project management – in a real-world setting to produce and deliver an artifact for your client. This could include the application of new technologies, developing proof of concept solutions and analysing current business processes to identify areas for improvement.

You will enjoy access to dedicated learning hubs where you can connect and collaborate, giving you the full workplace and project experience.

Why Bachelor of Information Technology (Networking and Cybersecurity)

• Under the current climate of escalating cyber-attacks, UniSA has partnered with Optus to establish a Cyber Security Research and Collaboration Hub at Lot Fourteen, tasked with driving new innovations and helping to deliver the best education for Australia’s next cybersecurity and data science professionals.
• Throughout your program you will complete a unique series of collaborative, work-integrated courses, reinforcing the concepts learnt in the classroom in a supportive practice environment. Soft, non-technical skills are also integrated into your learning to develop the qualities highly valued and sought after by industry. Topics include design thinking, system requirements, system design and agile development, and project management.
• In your final year you may have the opportunity to work directly with an industry client – from brief through to project delivery – with our ICT Capstone Project. Upon graduation, this allows you to demonstrate your ability to deliver work to industry standard, and to the satisfaction of a client.
• Most of our IT undergraduate programs share a common first-year, so choosing this degree offers ultimate flexibility. Should you wish to pursue a different specialty after completing your first-year, you can switch to an alternative IT program and receive credit for the courses completed. Start now, decide later.

Real-world connections

• With more than 200 industry contacts, you will have numerous opportunities to gain real-world experience through projects and placements with organisations such as Adelaide Football Club, Services Australia, SAAB, DSTO, Forensic Science SA, Top Chop Games and Maptek.

UniSA is also home to several research centres and concentrations, including: 

• Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments
• Industrial AI Research Centre
• Industry 4.0 Testlab

All have world renowned links and associations that provide a dynamic teaching and research base for our students.

• You will also benefit from our culture of innovation and startup community. We’re helping IT entrepreneurs and innovators turn their ideas into startup enterprises with a bright future. Through the Innovation and Collaboration Centre (ICC), the University’s startup incubator, you have access to programs (such as Venture Catalyst), services and expertise including:

Workshops

• One-on-one mentoring
• Office space for startups and entrepreneurs
• Access to a global pool of expert advisers
• Small funding stipends
• Events to kick-start ideas and competitions like hackathons

Career outcomes
Your career

• Australia’s technology workforce is expected to experience strong growth, averaging an increase of 5.4% annual increase through to 2026. Nearly half of that growth is forecast to occur in ICT technical and professional roles, with a further 26% expected in ICT management and operations roles1.
• Furthermore, cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia, enabling the digital economy to grow and innovate particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people and businesses move online

Graduates of this degree may wish to consider the following career options:

• Network Administrator: supporting infrastructure for wired network connections, wireless access points and remotely connected users; ensuring continuous network operations; performing installation, configuration, maintenance, upgrade, documentation, and operational support of network equipment
• Cyber Security Analyst: specialist understanding vulnerabilities and threats; performing threat and risk assessments, and mitigation strategies; developing network system architecture and design; auditing, acceptance testing and compliance; ability to work in a close team
• Computer Network Systems Engineer: designing and implementing networks and network security; understanding of security tools like cloud security, malware detection, web application firewalls, intrusion prevention; technical security risk assessment; writing security procedures and documentation 
• System Administrator: responsible for the upkeep, configuration and reliable operation of computer systems, in particular multi-user computers such as servers
• Virtualisation Engineer: managing data storage, server resources and other virtual computing platforms

Career progression may see you take on roles such as:

• Network Manager
• Senior Network Engineer
• Senior Cyber Security Analyst