About Information Systems Security, MSc - at Sheffield Hallam University
About the courseMost modern organisations face security risks which threaten their valuable assets.
Being able to defend against such threats and design secure information systems that accomplish this is not an easy task, as it requires a broad set of skills and knowledge of existing technologies and security principles. Such knowledge and skills can only be acquired through practical experience and education. This Masters course will provide you with the environment required to develop the professional skills and experience needed both technically and as a manager, and the knowledge to be a competent security professional.
Thanks to our association with the British Standard Institute (BSI) you will receive £4000 worth of training on the BSI BS7799 standard, leading to the certification of Lead Auditor.
Course aimsThe course aims to:
develop the required knowledge, understanding and skills to effectively work as a computing security professional
introduce the concepts, principles, techniques and methodologies required to design and assess complex networks, systems and applications
develop the practical experience needed to plan, perform and direct security audits of information systems, to the level required by standard security frameworks
develop effective and appropriate communication skills required for a security professional
engender in participants attitudes
Upon completion of the course you will gain the knowledge, skills and experience required to work in a number of different positions, from technical to management roles. These include
Security Architect
Security Analyst
Security Auditor
Penetration Tester
Security Officer
Course contentThe course has been developed along two main lines. This first is aimed at principles and issues of security design concerning systems and systems integration, Web and non Web-based applications and communication networks. The second line addresses the methodologies and development of skills required to perform security assessments of complex information systems. The following modules are delivered in the first semester and lead to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma
Information Security Concepts and Principles
Network Security
Systems and Application Security
Web Applications and E-Commerce Security
In the second semester you will learn how to conduct standard-based and professional security audits, and implement standard-compliant information security management systems. The modules delivered in the second semester are BS7799 Security Audit and Assessment
Practical case study
Consultancy project or an option module
In the third semester you will study research methods and work on your dissertation.
Who is the course aimed at?The course is designed for individuals who have just completed a Computing degree and would like to start a career in IT security. It would also suit IT professionals who want a career change in IT security.
Entry requirementsYou should have a good level of general education with good analytical skills and an ambition to develop to a high level in the area of information security. Typically the specific entry requirement for entry to the initial stage of this course is a good degree (2.2 or above) in computing or a closely related discipline.
We will select non-standard entrants to the course based on them having at least one year's direct work experience in information security or a closely related discipline.
Use of Prior Credit - prior certificated credit or prior experiential credit (APCL/APEL) may be used within the course in the following ways
Any professional certification of a suitable level and kind will be considered along with other criteria in relation to an application
An entrance exam may be applied if suitable criteria are not available
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).
Mode of study / attendance
Full-time, one year.
Find out more
Visit the website http://www.shu.ac.uk
Telephone 0114 225 5179 for full course details.
