An advanced cyber security programme developed by Cardiff University in partnership with PwC and supported by funding from the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, to prepare high-class, employment ready cyber security professionals sought after by organisations worldwide.

This unique MSc programme offers you a clear path to a successful career in the fast-moving and exciting area of cybersecurity. The programme has been developed by leading researchers at the Cardiff Centre for Cyber Security Research in close collaboration with industry experts from PwC.

We aim to equip you with an in-depth understanding of the ever-changing cyber threat landscape and the wide range of cyberattacks on operating systems, computer networks and web-applications. The course helps you develop a solid understanding of underlying technologies, their weaknesses and how they can be efficiently secured. In addition to covering theoretical foundations of computer science and cyber security, the programme includes a significant, hands-on component of practical application.

The security techniques and methods taught include, but are not limited to, network traffic analysis, network enumeration, port scanning, network segmentation, prevention of injection attacks, prevention of common web-app attacks (injection attacks, XSS, CSRF), secure configuration of cloud-based IT environments. You will learn to perform digital and network forensic investigations and analysis using modern forensics tools and software packages. The programme will also inform you about the human-factors affecting cyber security, privacy issues, cyber security legislation and regulations.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn from world-class cyber security researchers and industry practitioners, acquainting you with state-of-the-art technologies, research ideas, and industry standards.

On completing this course, you will have learned how to assess, identify and resolve cyber security threats as a professional. You will also be able to navigate business needs alongside an organisation’s cyber security needs, and influence business decisions by effectively communicating the importance of cyber security measures to different audiences.

Funded studentships are available to selected students on a competitive basis.

Modules are delivered through blended learning. Students will be guided through learning activities appropriate to a module, which may include:

• weekly on-line interactive sessions to work with other students and staff (e.g. live streaming of presentations, discussions, guest sessions from industry practitioners, live-coding, team meetings, supervised hands-on practical sessions and lab exercises)
• on-line resources that students will be guided through and can work through at their own pace (e.g. videos, web resources, e-books, quizzes),
• face to face small group sessions (e.g. help classes, feedback sessions, practical hands-on activities)