Cyber Security

The aim of the module is to introduce the application of information, information systems and information technologies within organisations and understand the impact of such systems on organisational performance. Students will develop an understanding of the project lifecycle focussing on the importance of the customer and will look at the process involved in creating information systems by learning how to investigate and define customer requirements and understand future needs. Undertaking this module gives students an introduction to information systems and organisations, giving them the skills to work effectively within an IS organisation on projects and giving them the base for understanding other IS modules within the degree programme.

Using inspirational demonstrators from both academia and industry, this module provides an overview of a range of innovative systems and applications in the fields of computer science, cyber security, psychology, social sciences, digital media and business decision making.  It will also facilitate hands-on experience on the choices and applications of innovative systems to interdisciplinary fields.  This module is suitable for students from technical programmes and from psychology, business, digital media and social sciences.

This module will introduce technical students to programming and testing concepts. Students will develop an understanding of the general principles of how programs and projects are delivered within the IT services industry and the application of the concepts of testing and programming. The module will develop introductory skills using a specific but not defined programming language and platform. Undertaking the module will develop the student’s skills in developing and testing programmes using industry techniques.

This module imparts an understanding of analysis and design concepts that are essential for developing and implementing software and database systems.  Design concepts and procedures such as Business Rules, Requirements Analysis, Data Modelling, Relational Data Modelling, Object Orientated Analysis and SQL will be explored.  Students will also learn how to apply Unified Modelling Language (UML) within different computing scenarios.

The aim of this module is to introduce concepts of IT security in order to understand the security threats to an IT system and the operational impact of these threats on an organisation. The module will explore different protection methods for data and develop knowledge of security policies and procedures, including risk assessments, and how these procedures can be implemented and maintained. This module will introduce topical case studies of attacks on organisational information systems, highlighting the business consequences.

This module imparts an understanding of operating systems including concepts such as scheduling, concurrency and synchronisation, memory management, input and output systems, kernel security and file systems.  Fundamentals of data structures and core algorithms and analysis are also explored.

This module will teach the design concepts of object orientated programming and creativity and ideation techniques.  This module will develop the student’s skills in analysing business and technical requirements to select and specify appropriate technology solutions; capturing client requirements and producing the solutions architecture and software design. Systems Development: The concept will be tested with reference to the business case.

The aim of this module is to develop student understanding of the skills and competencies required in both academic and professional environments.  Students will work individually and in teams to develop the knowledge and skills required to plan, design and conduct a research project.  Students will have the opportunity to engage in a range of activities which will build industry awareness at a national and international level; enhance communication and negotiation skills; and increase awareness of the importance of evidence based thinking and reflective practice.  This module provides the foundation for continuing personal and professional development building confidence to provide students with the potential to maximise academic and career aspirations.

This module introduces the field of artificial intelligence and the fundamental concepts and techniques in the areas of problem solving, knowledge representation and machine learning.  Agents, Search, Planning, Knowledge Representation and Bayesian Artificial Intelligence are explored.

This module explores protection mechanisms appropriate to various information technology systems and architectures.  Mechanisms and cryptographic protocols that help to provide confidentiality and integrity of data together with authentication and authorisation are explored in detail.  The principles and fundamentals of system-level security are considered together with a contextual overview of the law and regulations relating to the use of security mechanisms.  The practical application of these mechanisms in typical IT systems and architectures are incorporated.

The module develops theoretical and practical skills in software engineering principles including abstraction, encapsulation, aggregation and inheritance.  Students will learn the processes from analysis to design, implementation, testing and documentation together with software quality principles.

This module provides an opportunity for students to work as part of a collaborative team to manage and complete a substantial project for a given scenario.  Students are expected to utilise and extend the knowledge and understanding imparted previously and contextualise the material already covered.

The aim of this module is to further develop student understanding of IS Security.  The main focus of this module will be to explore key themes, trends and issues in cyber-security, policing and governance of the internet and business vulnerabilities.  The module provides students with an opportunity to analyse risk management, information risk assessment, risk mitigation, management standards and methodologies, implementing a risk management strategy and business continuity planning.

Information Management and Data Analytics 15 credits
Servers, Data Centres and Smart Systems 15 credits

This module introduces the field of artificial intelligence and the fundamental concepts and techniques in the areas of problem solving, knowledge representation and machine learning.  Agents, Search, Planning, Knowledge Representation and Bayesian Artificial Intelligence are explored.

This module explores protection mechanisms appropriate to various information technology systems and architectures.  Mechanisms and cryptographic protocols that help to provide confidentiality and integrity of data together with authentication and authorisation are explored in detail.  The principles and fundamentals of system-level security are considered together with a contextual overview of the law and regulations relating to the use of security mechanisms.  The practical application of these mechanisms in typical IT systems and architectures are incorporated.

The module develops theoretical and practical skills in software engineering principles including abstraction, encapsulation, aggregation and inheritance.  Students will learn the processes from analysis to design, implementation, testing and documentation together with software quality principles.

This module provides an opportunity for students to work as part of a collaborative team to manage and complete a substantial project for a given scenario.  Students are expected to utilise and extend the knowledge and understanding imparted previously and contextualise the material already covered.

The aim of this module is to further develop student understanding of IS Security.  The main focus of this module will be to explore key themes, trends and issues in cyber-security, policing and governance of the internet and business vulnerabilities.  The module provides students with an opportunity to analyse risk management, information risk assessment, risk mitigation, management standards and methodologies, implementing a risk management strategy and business continuity planning.

Information Management and Data Analytics 15 credits
Servers, Data Centres and Smart Systems 15 credits

This module introduces the skills required and methodology used to perform penetration testing. Penetration testers simulate cyber-attacks to find security weaknesses in networks, operating systems, and applications. Students will acquire hands-on experience using different tools and techniques for penetration testing by working in our specialised lab equipped with tools such as Kali Linux, Wireshark, WebGoat, Nmap and Burp Suite.

In this module, the student will learn how to crack passwords and wireless networks, test web applications for vulnerabilities, use the Metasploit framework to launch exploits and write customised Metasploit modules, automate social-engineering attacks, bypass antivirus software and turn access to one machine into total control of the enterprise in the post exploitation phase.

The module is delivered as a series of seminars and laboratory sessions using industry standard equipment and toolsets. During lectures, the student will be introduced to the different stages of a penetration test and during laboratory sessions the student will reinforce the learning by solving practical labs and exercises that are related to the lecture. The module will be assessed by a combination of coursework and an examination. The coursework will evaluate the ability of the student to transfer its knowledge into a real-life scenario and to critically evaluate a possible solution. The examination test will evaluate the ability of the student to identify and describe the stages of a penetration state.

This module covers the four phases of digital forensic investigation including seizure, imaging, analysis and reporting.  Technical knowledge and practical skills are developed using industry standard forensic software. Legal and regulatory processes are explored in detailed together with mobile forensic techniques.

The Computing Project provides the opportunity to undertake a major computing related problem in an approved topic area relevant to the programme of study.

The law has often been required to adapt to new and emerging technologies. Recently, however, the pace and scale of technological change has far exceeded anything previously encountered. Data and data processing now underpins the global economy. Sophisticated surveillance and analytics pose a substantial threat to any concept of personal privacy, but also promise previously unattainable levels of crime detection and anti-terrorist security. In this module, we examine the response of lawmakers, regulators and the courts to the fundamental legal challenges posed by technology, ranging from ownership of online content to the attribution of liability for harm caused by artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles.

• Cloud Computing and Infrastructure 15 credits
• Intellectual Property and Information Rights 15 credits
• Globalised Crime, Organised Crime and Cyber Crime 15 credits

This module introduces the skills required and methodology used to perform penetration testing. Penetration testers simulate cyber-attacks to find security weaknesses in networks, operating systems, and applications. Students will acquire hands-on experience using different tools and techniques for penetration testing by working in our specialised lab equipped with tools such as Kali Linux, Wireshark, WebGoat, Nmap and Burp Suite.

In this module, the student will learn how to crack passwords and wireless networks, test web applications for vulnerabilities, use the Metasploit framework to launch exploits and write customised Metasploit modules, automate social-engineering attacks, bypass antivirus software and turn access to one machine into total control of the enterprise in the post exploitation phase.

The module is delivered as a series of seminars and laboratory sessions using industry standard equipment and toolsets. During lectures, the student will be introduced to the different stages of a penetration test and during laboratory sessions the student will reinforce the learning by solving practical labs and exercises that are related to the lecture. The module will be assessed by a combination of coursework and an examination. The coursework will evaluate the ability of the student to transfer its knowledge into a real-life scenario and to critically evaluate a possible solution. The examination test will evaluate the ability of the student to identify and describe the stages of a penetration state.

This module covers the four phases of digital forensic investigation including seizure, imaging, analysis and reporting.  Technical knowledge and practical skills are developed using industry standard forensic software. Legal and regulatory processes are explored in detailed together with mobile forensic techniques.

The Computing Project provides the opportunity to undertake a major computing related problem in an approved topic area relevant to the programme of study.

The law has often been required to adapt to new and emerging technologies. Recently, however, the pace and scale of technological change has far exceeded anything previously encountered. Data and data processing now underpins the global economy. Sophisticated surveillance and analytics pose a substantial threat to any concept of personal privacy, but also promise previously unattainable levels of crime detection and anti-terrorist security. In this module, we examine the response of lawmakers, regulators and the courts to the fundamental legal challenges posed by technology, ranging from ownership of online content to the attribution of liability for harm caused by artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles.

• Cloud Computing and Infrastructure 15 credits
• Intellectual Property and Information Rights 15 credits
• Globalised Crime, Organised Crime and Cyber Crime 15 credits