BSc (Honours) Cyber Security with Forensics

Prepare for a career in cyber security by designing security systems, identifying evidence of cybercrimes and acting as detectives in a digital world. 

Course summary

• Develop the skills to design and secure complex information systems. 
• Learn to respond appropriately to security incidents by gathering evidence. 
• Understand the legal and regulatory environment around complex information systems. 
• Study the principles employed in cyber security and digital forensics. 
• Use the latest digital forensics software and technologies employed in industry.  

You will study fundamental cyber security topics, including principles of security, computing, architecture and networking, databases, and programming. You’ll also gain industry certifications such as the Cellebrite Certified Operator (CCO) certification and the Nuix Workstation Forensics Practitioner Foundations and Core certifications. 

You’ll start by developing strong practical skills in cyber security though lectures and hands-on tutorial sessions. These sessions will build your understanding of how and when to use appropriate processes, tools, technologies, and management practices in areas including network fundamentals, cryptography, and information security. 

You will develop these skills further on real-world projects – collaborating in small teams to produce deliverables inspired by industry.  These projects will further your knowledge in areas such as system vulnerabilities, detect network intrusions, and analysing and interpreting digital evidence collected from computers and mobile devices.  Previous students have worked with the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit to develop security demos.  

During your final year, you will create a significant cyber security deliverable, guided by a dedicated project supervisor. As part of this individual project, you will undertake research and apply new skills while you create a solution to a complex cyber security and forensics problem. The course team offers guidance and support throughout this process.   

The course encourages you to take an active approach to learning and self-development to develop highly sought-after cyber security skills through problem-solving activities, practical implementation and teamwork. 

You learn through 

• Lectures 
• Hands-on lab sessions and tutorials 
• Regular feedback 
• Teamwork and group-based learning 
• Practice-based applied learning 
• Discussions 
• Self-study 

You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through a number of key areas. 

These include 

• Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development 
• Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments 
• Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities 

Work Placements

• You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long work placement between your second and third year. A placement is widely recognised as the gold standard opportunity to gain personal and professional development through real-world experience. 
• You will be encouraged to take up this opportunity, as it will benefit your long-term career prospects and salary level, as well as your academic achievements and degree classification. Your course will prepare you to succeed in your placement and you will be supported throughout it. 
• Your placement will allow you to apply the knowledge and skills gained on your course, in areas such as digital forensics, information security, and network intrusion detection. 

Students from this course have worked with companies such as  

• 3Squared  
• The BBC 
• CYFOR 
• HSBC 
• Next 
• Sainsbury’s 
• Satisnet 
• Sec-1 
• Yorkshire & Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit 

Your placement year will allow you to gain an Applied Professional Diploma in addition to your degree which will enhance your graduate profile and give you the edge with future employers.  

You’ll also be supported to take advantage of work experience opportunities throughout your course, through access to a range of support activities, resources, and employer events from your Employability Team. This will further enhance your employability skillset, confidence, and opportunity-awareness to help you succeed in your career after graduating. 

Live projects 

• During each year of your course, you’ll be applying your learning using industry projects. These will challenge you to solve real-world cyber security problems while developing team and project management skills. This is great preparation for the world of work, all in a supportive learning environment.   
• We work in partnership with the North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC), a non-profit organisation. NEBRC aims to help protect regional businesses from cybercrime and employs our students to deliver specialist services during their studies. The NEBRC was established in 2019 – funded by a variety of private and public partners including the police, as well as a wide range of business investors and members across England. 

Networking opportunities 

• We’re a member of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) Academic Partner Programme. The CIISec is the only information and cyber security institution to have been granted Royal Charter status. This means you’ll be able to develop contacts within the cyber security community. You’ll have access to world-class speakers and the opportunity to network with prospective employers. 
• The Check Point SecureAcademy program at Sheffield Hallam University gives you free access to additional industry-recognised training platforms, hands-on experience with real-world tools, and the opportunity to work towards further certifications in cyber security. The program covers cutting-edge content in cloud security, network security, and security automation, aligning skills with industry demands.

Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in 

• Cyber security analysis 
• Digital forensics consultancy 
• Security consultancy 
• Information security analysis 
• Information security 
• Incident response analysis 

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for dedicated security and forensics companies, law enforcement agencies and large-scale businesses and industries such as 

• 3Squared 
• Cisco 
• Citrix 
• CYFOR 
• Exponential-e 
• F-Secure 
• G-Research 
• Hewlett-Packard 
• HSBC 
• IBM 
• Info-Assure 
• Intaforensics 
• NextGen Security 
• Sec-1 
• Serious Fraud Office 
• Servelec Group 
• Sky 
• South Yorkshire Police 
• West Yorkshire Police