MSc Cyber Security and Human Factors

Program Overview

Bournemouth University's MSc Cyber Security and Human Factors equips graduates to address evolving cyber threats in various sectors. The program covers risk assessment, incident management, and cybersecurity expertise, with a focus on human factors and their impact on security. Students gain practical experience through a work placement and benefit from industry-relevant research and expertise.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MSc Cyber Security and Human Factors program at Bournemouth University equips students with comprehensive expertise in cyber security, preparing them to address the growing security challenges faced by businesses, industries, and governments worldwide.

Key Objectives:

• Risk Assessment and Incident Management: Learn to assess risk, anticipate and manage security incidents.
• Security Policy Development: Develop and assess security procedures and policies to meet the needs of the computing and security sectors globally.
• Cybersecurity Expertise: Acquire the skills to become an expert in protecting information, assets, knowledge, and intellect.
• Practical Experience: Benefit from a work placement, providing an opportunity to gain first-hand work experience and apply acquired learning.
• Industry Relevance: Draw on the expert knowledge, research, and recent developments in cyber security from BU academics to gain awareness of current challenges and how to overcome them.

Outline:

Course Delivery:

• Full-time: 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start)
• Part-time: 2 years (September start) or 32 months (January start)

Course Structure:

• Core Units:
• Cyber Security: Develop skills and knowledge for cyber security, covering cyberspace ecosystems, security of socio-technical systems, and the life cycle of cyber security mechanisms.
• Cyber Psychology: Explore the impact of the internet and social media on individuals, groups, organizations, and society, focusing on human factors relevant to cyber security and online behaviors.
• Human Factors: Examine soft systems, human factors integration (HFI), training, trust, organizational learning, information and knowledge management through case study analysis.
Conduct situational awareness and workload measurements in trials, experiments, and exercises, and apply user experience (UX) techniques to evaluate interactive systems.
• Research Methods & Professional Issues: Develop key research skills, including project proposals, planning, critical analysis of research findings, academic writing, and dissemination.
• Individual Master’s Project: Critically investigate and report on a particular issue in depth.
• Option Units (Choose one each semester):
• Semester 1:
• Security by Design: Build security into the design and specification of secure systems and the broader socio-technical context.
• Blockchain & Digital Futures: Define Blockchain technology, its business aspects, issues, objectives, challenges, and cover Blockchain scaling, cryptography basics, different cryptocurrencies, and their issues.
• Semester 2:
• Security Information and Event Management: Develop skills and knowledge of security event and incident management methods, techniques, solutions, and systems.

Assessment:

• Details of assessment methods and contact hours for each unit are available in the programme specification.

Teaching:

• Faculty: The course is taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge, including senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, and research students.
Many are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice, which is integrated into the teaching.
• Unique Approaches:
• Access to state-of-the-art cyber security and digital forensics laboratories with simulation and analytical systems for intrusion detection, incident management, forensic analysis, and system penetration testing.
• Outreach programs inviting schools and businesses to use the labs, including a 10-week summer school for BU students.
• Use of specialized software for protecting and testing systems, including CISCO FlexPod, OPNET, NetBrain, and FireEye.

Careers:

• Potential Job Roles:
• Cyber Psychologist
• Security Designer
• Digital Forensic Investigator
• Incident Manager
• Intrusion Detector
• Further Study:
• Students can pursue doctoral programs after completing their Master's degree.

Other:

• The course is delivered full-time and part-time.
• Each unit can be taken separately as CPD with or without formal assessment.
• The course is regularly reviewed to incorporate new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as industry developments.
• The course is currently undergoing a review process, and updates will be provided on the course page once the review is complete.
• Changes will come into effect for all new students from January 2025 entry.
• Applicants will be notified by the admissions team of any changes.

• Tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course.
• All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per annum.
• As the security of data is fundamental to any business, you will possess high marketability in the professional arena and be qualified to enjoy career opportunities in a wide variety of industries.
• No hidden extras:
• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity.
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances.
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.
• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies.
The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
• Accommodation and living costs.
An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately.
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportBU membership.
• While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.
Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course.
• No hidden extras:
• What’s included in your tuition fee?
• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity.
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances.
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.
• Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider
• Additional costs
• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies.
The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
• Accommodation and living costs.
An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately. Placement year funding