51Âþ»­

Network Security and Ethical Hacking 1 (CSTA - Ethical Hacking 1)

Students learn the principles and processes involved in network security, including major hacking attacks that may be used against organisations networks. A range of counter measures are also covered.

Network Security and Ethical Hacking 2 (CSTP - Ethical Hacking 2)

This module provides you with the knowledge of, and how to protect against, the ‘OWASP Top-Ten’. It is an essential component of modern information security strategies and a requirement of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Wireless Security (CWSA - Wireless Security)

This module develops expertise in wireless network security. Using case studies students learn the principles, threats and associated protection strategies related to wireless networks.

Forensic Tools and Processes (CFIP - Forensic Investigations)

Develops expertise in static digital forensic analysis. Using case studies students learn the principles and processes involved in undertaking and reporting a professional ‘static’ forensic investigation. The assessment of the module provides an opportunity for specialisation and the development of personalised training and development.

Applied Forensics – Malware Investigations (CMI – Malware Investigations)

This module develops expertise in malware behavioural analysis, an increasingly important skill. Using case studies students learn the principles and processes involved in undertaking a thorough professional malware analysis.

Advanced Forensics and Incident Response (CSIS – Computer Security Incident Investigation)

Provides an understanding of security incidents and their impact on business continuity. The module will provide the knowledge and skills in prevention techniques to protect organisations’ assets from security incidents. You will develop knowledge in the principles and practice of a forensic incident response, including live analysis of servers as well as gaining skills in gathering data, remote acquisition, external and internal scanning analysis and containment techniques.

Security Strategy and Standards (CIIP – Implementing ISO 27001)

This module develops knowledge of and skills in management of information security 
risk assessment and security policy formulation, certification processes and required procedures and state of the art risk management models and strategies.

Advanced Topics in Forensics and Security 

Students learn, appreciate and engage with the main academic, professional  and research concerns of computer security and forensics. This module is research led and focused; most of the work will be involve engaging with topics at the leading edge of research in this domain. The module help to prepare  students for the MSc Project.

MSc Project/Dissertation

Provides the opportunity to develop and to demonstrate skills acquired from the taught course or development during the project in the solution of real practical and or theoretical problems.

For each of the shared modules students undertake a professional and specialist hand-on training course at 7Safe (Cambridge) and following  successful completion of that they are then eligible to apply to 51Âþ»­ for the distance learning  ‘top-up’ and assessment. Successfully completing the 51Âþ»­ further learning and assessment for each course/module gives student’s 15 Masters credits.

Contact and learning hours

The full MSc course consists of eight modules (15 credits each) and an MSc Project/Dissertation (60 credits). To complete a module, you will normally spend between around 15 and 30 hours in taught sessions in a week; the exact amount of hours will depend on the specific module chosen.

Assessment is by a combination of tests, coursework, projects and other laboratory-based assessments. For postgraduate awards students must successfully accumulate the following credits:

Post Graduate Certificate
60 credits

Post graduate Diploma
120 credits

MSc
180 credits

Apart from the following two restrictions, modules can be studied in any order.

1. Advanced Forensics and Incident Response can normally only be taken after Forensic Tools and Processes (or equivalent) has been passed.
2. Advanced Topics in Forensics and Security and the MSc Project/Dissertation must normally be studied in that order and be the last two modules studied by those students wishing to progress to the full MSc.

Developed and delivered in conjunction with 7Safe, this course provides you with knowledge of the very latest computer forensics and security principles, practices, tools and techniques, taught by a team of experienced and specialist staff in purpose-built computer forensics and security laboratories. If you are interested in a challenging career in one of the most rapidly expanding areas of computing then this is the course for you.