Cyber Security (MSc)

Our programme goes deep into cyber security, covering everything from understanding core concepts and standards to identifying vulnerabilities and risks within modern networks and infrastructures. You'll gain the expertise to design secure systems, making them resilient against potential attacks. 

• We'll also teach you the technical skills needed to become an ethical hacker and proactive security tester, as well as how to perform digital forensics and incident management.
• Additionally, you'll explore cloud, web, and mobile security concepts, becoming adept at recognising critical threats. We emphasise hands-on learning, allowing you to apply essential security techniques to test and protect against real-world attacks and recommend improvements.

Are you ready to accelerate your career in one of the most in-demand and financially rewarding fields today?

Arden University's MSc Cyber Security programme is aligned with the NCSC

• Academic framework and equips you with the skills necessary to thrive in highly lucrative cyber security roles. In recent studies, 57% of businesses said they currently have unfilled cyber security positions, and 1.8 million jobs in the field went unfilled in 2022 alone. With such huge skills gaps and a burgeoning demand for cyber experts across the globe, this course will arm you with the knowledge you need to excel as an expert in cyber security across almost limitless industries.

What makes Arden University special?

• Education for everyone, everywhere- Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.
• You decide how and where to study- We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.
• Full support both online and on-site- We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.
• Strong focus on employability- You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Beyond the basics

• Our commitment to your success goes beyond the classroom. Arden University offers access to industry-leading resources and certifications, such as Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals and Microsoft Azure Security Technologies. We cover the costs of these resources, so you only pay for your exams in many cases, making your degree great value for money.
• Arden University is a Cisco Network Academy, providing you with access to free Cisco resources. You can self-study for Cisco courses and receive badges in key areas such as networking, Python and Linux that you can add to your CV. Arden is also an AWS Academy, so you’ll gain access to further free course content to complement your degree.
• Our MSc Cyber Security course delivers exciting and up-to-date module content that guarantees you’ll develop essential workplace skills. 

Just a few course highlights embedded into your modules include:

• Building networks: Gain hands-on experience using Cisco IOS simulation software to design secure networks. You'll configure devices like firewalls, switches, and routers, ensuring network safety.
• Learn ethical hacking: Master ethical hacking with industry-standard tools like MITRE ATT&CK, Cyber Kill Chain, and Metasploit.
• Master digital forensics: Learn professional digital forensics and incident management skills, including evidence acquisition and analysis using industry-standard tools. Maintain ethical and legal standards during investigations.
• Find and mitigate risk from vulnerabilities: Explore common cyber security vulnerabilities and apply mitigations using OWASP Top 10 guidelines.

Course Modules

• Information Security Management (20 credits)
• Network Security (20 credits)
• Secure System Design (20 credits)
• Offensive Security (20 credits)
• Cloud and Web Services Security (20 credits)
• Digital Forensics and Incident Management (20 credits)
• Advanced Computing Project (60 credits)

A modern assessment strategy

• This programme has been designed to ensure you undertake a range of practical and authentic assessments.
• These assessments will be portfolio-based, where you will submit real-world portfolio assets which you have created as a component of each course module using industry-standard tools and practices. 
• This means that by the end of your degree, you’ll have a professional portfolio demonstrating your cyber security knowledge and skills which you can use to provide evidence of your advanced capabilities to employers.

Practice-driven

• Your course assessments will be practice-driven, mirroring real-world practitioner skills to ensure that you graduate from your course ready to take on future challenges in cyber security with confidence.

The Advanced Computing Project

• You’ll conclude your degree with your Advanced Computing Project. Here, you'll dive into a hands-on journey, solving real-world computing problems through research, design, and creation. You’ll be allocated a supervisor within your chosen topic area to support you through the project process and in the development of your project proposal – helping you emerge not just with a degree, but with practical industry-ready abilities to demonstrate to employers.

Additional study skills through vendor programmes, provided free of charge

• The following vendor courses will be available for you to study in parallel with your degree. All the material on these programmes is completely free, giving you incredible savings and value for money. 

You will only need to pay for the final exams if you should choose to take them.

• Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)
• Microsoft Azure Security Technologies (AZ-500T00)
• EC Council CEH (ethical hacking)
• Multiple Cisco self-study courses

Other additional learning resources you’ll have include:

• Access to EC Council CEH content, which includes e-books, labs, videos, and the opportunity to take a certification exam.
• Access to Cisco Packet Tracer, where you can build networks by configuring switches, routers, and firewalls, helping you advance your skills in a practical nature.

Hands-on experience with cutting-edge virtual labs

• EC Council CEH – The supplementary EC Council CEH (ethical hacking) programme is integrated into the MSc syllabus through the Offensive Security and Cloud and Web Services Security modules.

You'll also have access to the CEH content for self-study if you choose to take the exam, as well as the following industry-standard skills and tools:

• Open source/footprinting and scanning tools such as Melegor, Metasploit, Nmap
• Proxy and enumeration tools such as BurpSuite, Tor, Dig, NFS, SNMP
• Vulnerability analysis and exploitation tools such as CVSS, Nessus, OpenVas, John the Ripper, Hashcat, PSExec
• Anti-rootkit and malware generator tools such as Stinger, Divergent, Powershell
• Sniffers, DDOs, and session hijacking tools such as Wireshark, Cain & Abel, TCP Dump, HULK, OWASP ZAP, sslstrip
• IDS, anonymisers, and honeypot tools such as Snort, Boomproxy, SPECTOR
• Wireless, mobile, and IoT tools such as Air Suite, Agent Smith Attack, IoTSeeker
• Web and cloud tools such as ZAP, Burp AWS pwn, Sysdig
• Digital forensic tools such as Autopsy, FTK Imager, RegRipper, CAINE

TryHackME - Students gain access to TryHackMe, a leading online platform for hands-on cyber security training. This provides a range of benefits designed to enhance your learning experience and help you build real-world skills:

• Secure Virtual Environment: Practice your skills in a safe, legal, and ethical online environment without needing to install software on your personal devices.
• Real-World Simulations: Engage in over 750+ labs covering both offensive and defensive security, from beginner to expert level, allowing you to experience realistic cyber security scenarios.
• Gamified Learning: Make learning interactive and fun with bite-sized lessons and challenges that earn you points, badges, and a spot on global leaderboards.
• Flexible Access: Study anytime, anywhere with web-based labs that are accessible from any device, making it perfect for distance learners.
• Custom Learning Paths: Follow tailored learning paths that align with your career goals or focus on specific skills, with the flexibility to explore individual topics at your own pace.
• Community and Collaboration: Join a global community of over 3 million users, where you can share knowledge, compete in challenges, and collaborate on Capture The Flag exercises.
• Continuous Access: After completing your studies, maintain your TryHackMe account to access free content or opt for a subscription to continue your professional development.