About the course
Course content
This course is designed for those wishing to develop the ability to design and manage robust networking and cyber security systems and at the same time, gain Cisco accreditation. Security of our systems is one of the most challenging topics of our time. The MSc provides knowledge of the very latest security principles, tools and techniques taught by specialist staff in a dedicated IT security laboratory, and an understanding of the principles underpinning effective approaches to cyber defence in response to a cyber attack. Guest speakers from industry will complement the teaching staff and work experience opportunities are available in a relevant working environment before you undertake your final project. This additional and crucial element will provide a unique student experience that will enhance your employability after graduation.
More about this course
This course offers a unique opportunity for students to blend networking technologies with Cyber Security and at the same time gain Cisco accreditation. Such a combination will attract employers increasingly seeking graduates and post graduates within this area. The practical 10 sessions will be housed in specialist laboratories including a specialist IT security laboratory. Guest speakers from industry will complement the teaching staff.
The Communications Technology group is one of the first in UK to be awarded the "Cisco Networking Academy" in 1998. The academy has been running short/evening courses in Cisco CCNA and CCNP certification since. These are two of the most prestigious vocational certifications valued by Networking and related industries. Some of the modules in both CCNA and CCNP are currently embedded in the above two existing MSc courses and students follow the relevant Cisco curriculum. The courses are supported by three major laboratories equipped with some of the most up to date Networking technology equipment and it is taught by qualified Cisco instructors.
Security of our systems is one of the most challenging topics of our time. There is an international consensus that the level of security skills will have to be increased in order to respond to the number and sophistication of threats we face. It is impossible to ignore the importance of cyber security which is recognised by governments, large and small organisations as a priority. Cyber Security provides knowledge of the very latest security principles, tools and techniques taught by specialist staff in a dedicated IT Security laboratory and understanding of the principles underpinning effective approaches to cyber defence in response to a cyber attack.
Although each of the modules taught in the above courses have a significant hands-on practical workshops the idea of introducing actual "Work Experience" in a relevant working environment is unique and we believe this additional and crucial element will provide a unique student experience that will help their employability after graduation. The course team will guarantee a paid employment opportunity for all students taking the Computer Networking and Security With Work Experience. The Cisco Academy manager has built a network of relevant employers in the past 15 years through the Networking Academy and its contacts. The academy has currently 18 smaller academies providing continuous technical and academic support as well as training their instructors according to Cisco’s regulations. These academies are mainly local and range from schools to technical colleges. It is hoped that students on this course will be able to be placed in these academies for their work experience part of the course.
A range of assessment methods is employed throughout the course. The method of assessment for each module is clearly described in the individual module guide which is made available to the students at the start of the semester. Every module has dedicated Web site providing students with comprehensive learning/teaching material including workshop exercises. Module leaders use this site regularly to communicate with their students including providing general feedback, guidelines on how to write technical report/effective presentations and keeping logbooks. Modules employ a combination of the following forms of assessments:
-Case study reports and presentations
-Laboratory workbooks/logbooks
-Unseen examinations
-Part seen examinations
-Individual vivas
Professional accreditation
This course offers a Cisco accreditation.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2016/17 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
-Cyber Security Management (core, 20 credits)
-Cybercrime and Cyber Security (core, 20 credits)
-MSc Project (core, 60 credits)
-Network Routing Protocols (core, 20 credits)
-Switched Networks (core, 20 credits)
-Work Experience (core, 20 credits)
-Digital Forensics (option, 20 credits)
-Hardening Network Infrastructure (option, 20 credits)
-Network Troubleshooting (option, 20 credits)
-Security Auditing and Penetration Testing (option, 20 credits)
After the course
The employment market has an abundance of posts which incorporate the key areas of this course:for example in Networking, Network Security and Cyber Security, IT Security, Computer Forensics. Careers range from the traditional Network and Network Security professionals to network design engineer, secured network developer, and marketing and technical support. There are many exciting graduate employment opportunities available including:
-Network Engineer
-Network Management
-Network Security and Cyber security Consultant
-Crime and Computer Forensic
[Moving to one campus]
Between 2016 and 2020 we're investing £125 million in the London Metropolitan University campus, moving all of our activity to our current Holloway campus in Islington, north London. This will mean the teaching location of some courses will change over time.
Whether you will be affected will depend on the duration of your course, when you start and your mode of study. The earliest moves affecting new students will be in September 2017. This may mean you begin your course at one location, but over the duration of the course you are relocated to one of our other campuses. Our intention is that no full-time student will change campus more than once during a course of typical duration.
All students will benefit from our move to one campus, which will allow us to develop state-of-the-art facilities, flexible teaching areas and stunning social spaces.