Cyber Security

The module is led by the Politics, Philosophy and Religion department with input from colleagues in Computing Science, Sociology and Criminology. We aim to foster interdisciplinary teaching and learning across social sciences and computing sciences. PPR491 Cybercrime is a core module on the MSc Cybersecurity degree and an optional module for PPR students MA students as well as those in Sociology and Law, so has been designed with you all in mind.

The module is block-taught across an intense two-week period, through lectures and seminar activities in Summer Term. There will be an hour for lunch each day, and several comfort breaks. Each lecture examines a specific issue relating to ‘cybercrime’. In week 23 you will present the final findings from your group task to the whole class.

In the group task you will learn how to use evidence-based methods to explore a cybercrime topic. We will show you how to do this on day 1. Sessions/topics are delivered by experts in their field, and there will be plenty of time for questions and debate.

Academic Week 20 (Mid March, Lent Term)

This module aims to develop technical investigative skills with regard to the gathering of information from compromised systems. The module covers skills and technologies that a student will require in order to gather information and draw inferences from that data regarding the attack as it occurred or as it unfolds. Students will develop the skills required to apply the knowledge in order to carry out an investigation in a range of situations and on differing devices.

Academic week 11 (First week of January, Lent term)

This module focuses on the current Information System Risk Management processes and best practices. In order for security staff to be effective it is important that they have a firm understanding of risk management strategies. Such an awareness would enable them to be able to analyse business threats and the risks they pose within well-known frameworks and take countermeasures to those threats commensurate with the level of risk they carry.

This module will identify key frameworks, international standards and best practices involved in Risk Assessment, Business Impact Analysis, Asset Identification and Risk Management.

The ultimate aim is to develop the students’ critical appreciation for importance of Information Risk Management in the Information Systems Security arena.

Academic Week 1 (first week of October, Michaelmas Term)

Introducing cyber security and its relevant fields, this module conforms to the certified information systems and security professional (CISSP) programme standards.

Whilst participating in this module, students will gain a solid understanding of the current information security technologies and practices, and will develop a wide appreciation of IT security by exploring access control systems, business continuity and disaster recovery, all within the context of legal and ethical frameworks. Additionally, this module will equip students with knowledge in basic and fundamental telecommunications standards, and will promote an appreciation for the flow and control of information within a computer network.

Students will grow accustomed to general research, reflection, problem solving and presentation skills. The module aims to teach students how to place theoretical aspects of information security within the context of real-world examples and practical experience. Students will also develop critical and reflective thinking with regards to the impact of information security on modern information processing networks and systems.

The aim of the module is to give students a basic working knowledge of relevant legal systems, sources, institutions and personnel.

Topics to be covered will include:

• Demystifying legal culture
• Introducing legal materials
• Where to find the legal material - Introducing legal research methods online and in libraries
• An introduction to legal forums: Courts and Court hierarchy - Civil & Criminal
• English Legal Reasoning 1: Case Law
• English Legal Reasoning 2: Reading Statutes
• European Law
• Human Rights Law
• International Law
• Cyber Law

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Understand different legal institutions, systems, sources and personnel
• Identify, locate and interpret different legal sources
• Locate the English Legal System within a wider European and International Context.

Submission Date: end of August

A large part of the master's involves completing a dissertation project. This starts with students selecting a project by December in the first year of study. This piece of work will involve writing 20-30,000 words and at least 200 hours of work.

This is primarily a self-study module that is designed to provide the foundation of the main dissertation, at a level considered to be publishable quality. On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to make value judgement relating to technologies and applications, and to justify these to peers and academic staff.

The topic of the project will vary from student to student, but will be at a level commensurate with the weight and level of the module. Students will refine, extend, and perfect their own scientific reflection and practice. The project also offers students the opportunity to apply their technical skills and knowledge on current world-class research problems and to develop expert knowledge of a specific area.

Academic Week 15 (first week February, Lent Term)

This module provides an introduction to the process of networked system security, reviewing network and system security issues and threats, and presents a broad view of network and system security services and mechanisms, whose understanding is essential in the design and implementation of security strategies for a networked environment. Students will gain an awareness of the risks that are present in modern networked IT environments, and will develop an understanding of how to protect these environments and especially communication links from an attacker.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to assess the security of networked systems, and will be familiar with security requirements and how these can be implemented in a deployed system. The module will provide students with an understanding of how communication among computer systems can be secured.

Academic Week 10 (first week Dec, Michaelmas Term)

This module aims to prepare students with the skills and understanding required to test IT infrastructures for vulnerabilities to malicious attack.

Practical sessions will allow students access to the tools and techniques required to attack a system in order to recognise its limitations, therefore finding ways to maximise protection. Malicious hacking is explained in order to test the system, and students will also gain a reinforced awareness of the legal and ethical frameworks they will operate in.

This module will provide students with skills in system hacking and testing, and they will become familiar with a range of strategies including zero-touch reconnaissance, cryptographic techniques and attack detection mechanisms and how to evade them.