Cyber Security BSc (Hons)

Level 3 (foundation year)

• Foundation in Engineering, Computing and Technology

  This module will provide students with the necessary skills to begin studying at level 4 in Engineering, Computer Science and related courses. Students will be introduced to the core skills necessary to succeed in higher education, including thinking critically, researching and referencing appropriately, demonstrating appropriate numeracy and ICT skills, and communicating effectively verbally and in writing. In addition to these fundamental skills, Students will cover the subjects underpinning the technological disciplines. Fundamental mathematical skills will be covered, alongside pre-calculus, followed by an introduction to calculus and vector and matrix arithmetic. Students will also be introduced to Classical mechanics, and its application to real-world scenarios. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of computer science, learning about the principles behind programming and applying them through a series of practical coding exercises. Students will undertake a multi-disciplinary group project as they learn about the collaborative nature of engineering, and design from a broader perspective of business. The module is made up of the following eight constituent elements: Interactive Learning Skills and Communication (ILSC); Information Communication Technology (ICT); Critical Thinking; Maths for Scientists; Maths for Engineers; Physics for Engineers; Fundamentals of Computing; Engineering Design.

Year one, core modules

• Web Development

  If you are anticipating a career in information systems or programming, the knowledge of website construction, whether that is for the internet or a company intranet, is a valuable asset. Our module provides you with the knowledge required to build a standards compliant web site. The website will be a blend of XHTML, Cascading Style Sheet and a scripting language and incorporate media and text elements. You will also be expected to submit documentation containing an introduction, descriptions of the purpose and aims of the web site. You will choose a subject for the website. The knowledge you will gain in this module will form the foundation for further web-based study in areas such as graphic design, user perceptions of the usability and quality of web pages and multimedia/database websites.

• Learning and Skills Development for HE and Work

  If you are entering higher education you will need specific study skills to enable you to maximise your learning potential and take advantage of opportunities available both in the academic setting and the workplace. Students enter with different levels of skills and experience and may approach this module in a variety of ways. The module prepares and supports you to build a strong foundation for learning and later development. Learning will develop and underpin Level One study skills in the first half of the semester with the focus moving towards individual formative support towards the end of the semester. You will develop and maintain a reflective learning log/blog to support this module and their continuing studies, the reflective log/blog is used as the basis of tutorial work and formative assessment. This work will also provide evidence for the beginning of a Personal Development Planning Portfolio that you will build on over the next two years of your studies. You will be expected to meet with your personal tutors to review your progress and actively seek out a mentor within the university community or workplace.

• Software Principles

  Learn the fundamental concepts required to understand, design, implement and test high-level programming languages. We will introduce you to a design methodology to help develop linear and hierarchical trains of thought from idea conception through design and implementation to testing. You will use a simple interactive programming environment to discover how to create and use a wide variety of different basic and complex data structures. By the end of the module, you will be able to analyse a simple set of requirements, design appropriate data structures, select appropriate language syntax to manipulate program data and understand and use syntax for the implementation of conditional logic and repetition. You will also be able to create simple scripts, demonstrate familiarity with the taxonomy of programming languages and the software development life- cycle and gain sufficient experience of a range of algorithm design techniques.

• Networked Systems

  This module introduces students to the components and requirements of modern networked computer systems. In order to understand how such systems work it is necessary to consider the operating system, through the networking technology to the servers to be accessed. On completing this module, students will be able to specify, construct and maintain networked PC systems, and troubleshoot common hardware and software problems. Practical skills are underpinned by a sound theoretical foundation in computer systems and network architecture, including both local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). Theoretical topics will be delivered in weekly lectures that will be consolidated through significant self-study. Laboratory sessions will enable students to gain the practical skills needed to construct, maintain and troubleshoot problems on networked computer systems. Students’ progress is assessed via a submitted laboratory log-book, an in-class test, and a written coursework assignment.

• Cyber Crime Fundamentals

  This module provides an introduction to the main principles of security for IT and networked systems. Key areas of security are introduced, beginning with underlying concepts and threats, and then proceeding to address specific issues and technologies relating to host systems and networked environments. Issues relating to security design are also highlighted. The module aims to familiarise students with the fundamentals of information security technologies and to develop an understanding of the various security threats and vulnerabilities. Consideration is given to core security pertaining to host systems and network environments. The module is delivered as a mixture of theory, through a series of lectures, and practical implementation, through a series of guided laboratory exercises. Students will be assessed through an individual coursework assignment and an in-class test.

• Operating Systems

  You will be introduced to the fundamental features of modern operating systems, their components and their use. You will learn key concepts including the kernel, memory and resource management, security and authentication, and command line and graphical user interfaces (GUI). Case studies will be used to familiarise you with the history and features of Windows/MS-DOS and Linux/Unix. The module will also introduce you to the command line interface (CLI) commands and scripting in both the Windows CLI and a Linux shell and allow you to develop simple scripts to automate activities in both operating system environments. It will also explain how each operating system stores configuration information and how (particularly in Linux/Unix) scripts can be used to modify that system configuration. The skills acquired in the module will enable you to go on to study modules which involve topics such as system administration, network and server configuration, and technical support, all of which are key skills graduates need when working in the systems and network support industries.

Year two, core modules

• Network Routing and Switching Essentials

  Computer networks are constantly evolving to keep pace with the changing needs of organizations in supporting their daily business. Users now expect instant access to company resources from anywhere and at any time. These resources not only include traditional data but also audio and video and voice. There is also an increasing need for collaboration technologies that allow real-time sharing of resources between multiple remote individuals as though they were at the same physical location. The global Internet is a collection of networks, termed Autonomous Systems (AS), that are linked together via high-speed communication links provided by telecommunication organisations. LAN switches provide the connection point for end users into the enterprise network and are also primarily responsible for the control of information within the LAN environment. Routers facilitate the movement of information between LANs and are generally unaware of individual hosts. Due to the complexity and dynamic nature of networks, often networks employ dynamic routing protocols to dynamically establish the "best" path for routing the traffic, to achieve the maximum efficiency while maintain the ever-increased demand of reliability and security. This module focuses on the key concepts and protocols of network routing and switching. It covers basic routing and switching concepts, including static and default routing, Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), and inter- VLANs routing. Dynamic protocols such as RIP, EIGRP and OSPF, and will be discussed and explored Network security using Access Control Lists will be introduced and the wider issues of network and Internet security considered. Other topics such as DHCP and NAT will also be covered. The module is delivered as a mixture of theory, delivered through a series of lectures, and practical implementation, delivered through a series of guided laboratory exercises. In the lab sessions students will gain deep understanding on the routing and switching concepts with an emphasis on their hands-on-skills using hardware equipment in the laboratory and advanced network simulation tools that comply with industry standards. The module is assessed by a case study based assignment and an in-class test. The case study will be centred on the design and implementation of a routed and switched network, comprising both local and wide area networks. The in-class test will consist a set of well-constructed multiple choice questions to test students’ understanding of routing and switching concepts and theories.

• Secure Systems Architectures

  Secure Systems Architectures addresses protection mechanisms appropriate to various IT systems and architectures, focusing upon technologies that are appropriate regardless of whether a system is implemented as part of a network. These mechanisms and cryptographic protocols help to provide confidentiality, integrity of data as well as authentication and authorisation. Consideration is given to the principles and fundamentals of system-level security technologies and core security mechanisms (e.g. data protection mechanisms). In addition, a contextual overview of the law and regulations related to these mechanisms is explored. The module is delivered as a mixture of theory, through a series of lectures, and practical implementation, through a series of guided laboratory exercises. Students will be assessed through an individual case study assignment.

• Data Security

  Information technology has created a world that is increasingly virtual in nature. Both private individuals and businesses alike suffer the same vulnerabilities in managing access to valuable information that is increasingly being stored remotely. Whilst the public and industry professionals wrestle with the escalating complexity and variation in the ways that information is compromised, we see the emergence of the harnessing of digital insecurities as a weapon on an international stage. You will be introduced to some of the key concepts that lie at the heart of information security, but viewed at the more fundamental data level. You will be provided with a critical insight into the often misunderstood or poorly defined issues of data security and thereby offered a springboard to the study of information security at level 6. After studying this module you will understand how and why the digital data systems we use every day pose such a threat to individuals and businesses, where solutions are possible and where they might prove difficult or impossible. A key issue is the fundamental weakness that humans introduce into the technology. You are expected to augment the content delivered by lectures with independent study of your own on a weekly (or even daily basis) in order to remain current with developing threats. You will write up a dossier of weekly security issues and together with a 1,000 word technical discussion of a particular security vulnerability will form the final assessment making a 3,000 word submission in total.

• Project Management and Quality Assurance

  If you work in the IT field you will find yourself part of a project team. For projects to proceed successfully it is important for all members of the team to be aware of their roles and responsibilities. In this module you will learn about your role as a team member, the structure of IT projects and the tools and techniques used for planning, monitoring and controlling such projects. The quality assurance portion of this module will help you to develop an understanding of the range of techniques which can be used to promote quality and their cost/benefit issues. You will practise a range of verification and validation procedures. You will be introduced to the standards relevant to IT projects and accreditation procedures. As well as taught sessions you will have practical and theoretical tutorial sessions. You will be assessed by presenting a case study.

• Object Oriented Programming

  Here, you will develop your programming skills and enhance your knowledge and skills in best programming practice. You will cover the essential aspects of input/output routines, control structures, contiguous data structures, and the devolvement of objects and methods, which will give you a detailed coverage of the object-oriented paradigm. You will adopt the computational way of thinking that a software developers use. By the end of the module, you will be able to assemble multiclass programs that meet the business requirements set in a specification.

• Network Security

  Organisations are increasingly relying on their information systems therefore there is a greater need to ensure that the underlying network infrastructure been used by these systems is secure. This module sets out essential concepts and skills relating to the ability to design, implement and support the security of networked devices and to use the current best practices in network security. It will develop in the students a working knowledge of network security principles, tools and configurations. The module will start by identifying modern network security threats and the impact they have within an organisation. It will then describe how to secure network devices, how to deploy authentication, authorisation and accounting and how to deploy network security technology such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems. The module will also cover cryptography, LAN security considerations and the implementation of endpoint and layer 2 security features. Methods for implementing data confidentiality and integrity will be described along with the implementation of secure virtual private networks. The module is delivered as a mixture of theory, through a series of lectures, and practical implementation, through a series of guided laboratory exercises based on the CCNA security curricula. Students will be assessed through a case study and in-class tests.

Work placement (optional placement year)

Year three, core modules

• Undergraduate Major Project

  You will create in a substantial piece of individual research and/or product development work, focused on a topic of your choice. You could choose your topic from a variety of sources including research groups, previous/current work experience, your current employer, a suggestion from your tutor or a topic you are specifically interested in. You will identify problems and issues, conduct literature reviews, evaluate information, investigate and adopt suitable development methodologies, determine solutions, develop hardware, software and/or media artifacts as appropriate, process data, critically appraise and present your finding using a variety of media. Regular meetings with your project supervisor will ensure your project is closely monitored and steered in the right direction.

• Managing Information

  You will develop a critical understanding of the problems, opportunities including ethical and legal, faced by organisations in effectively planning, developing and managing information. You will incorporate strategic management concepts to ensure that IS development supports the business strategy, and progresses through suitable planning methodologies and assessment of ethical and legal considerations to implementation and evaluation (audit). You will investigates the need for quality assurance standards, quality control of the system(s) and user education. The determining of critical success factors at the planning stage is considered essential to the successful completion and operation of any information system. In order to appreciate the need for methodological approach to planning and managing an information system the reasons for systems failure is investigated through case studies. In tutorial sessions you will focus on facets of information strategy.

• Information Security

  With the growth of high bandwidth internet, eCommerce, eBusiness and Virtual Private Networks, information security has become a centre-stage issue. However, many organisations and businesses find themselves missing the necessary skills and knowledge that is needed to develop effective security strategies. This module will equip you with the skills to fill that gap by introducing you to key aspects of information security and taking a broader view of the information security problems facing industry and commerce today. You will gain a comprehensive overview of the problem, motives and techniques of 'hackers', the inherent security problems built into information technology itself and the role played by encryption techniques. Often it is user behaviour itself that creates significant vulnerabilities and this module focuses on the role of people and the part played by poor user discipline.

• Smart Systems and Internet of Things

  The Internet of Things (IoT) is a novel paradigm that is rapidly gaining ground in the today’s digital world. The basic idea of this concept is the pervasive presence around us of a variety of ‘things’. The main strength of the IoT idea is the high impact it has on numerous aspects of everyday-life behaviour. Building automation (domotics), assisted living, e-health, automation and industrial manufacturing, logistics, business/process management, intelligent transportation, and enhanced learning are only a few examples of possible application scenarios in which the new paradigm will play a leading role in the near future. This module aims to deliver this message, and build upon your previous knowledge to have the appropriate skill-set that enables you to address any issue related to smart systems and IoT. This is done by introducing the concept of IoT and its general use and global applications. This module focuses on the methodology of prototyping, as well as the tools and techniques that can be utilised to support the implementation and proposed solution.

• Security Management and Governance

  Security Management and Governance imparts an understanding of the underlying principles associated with security management. Students will develop an understanding of security threats and vulnerabilities within modern organisational environments, and gain an understanding of the underlying principles of risk analysis and contingency planning as applied to business systems. Consideration is also given to the need for legislative compliance. The module is delivered as a mixture of theory, through a series of lectures, and practical implementation, through a series of guided laboratory exercises. Students will be assessed through two individual case study assignments.