Cyber Security and Forensics MSc

The module is divided into two parts. The first part introduces the fundamentals of Cyber security, such as the CIA tenets and the various models and formal methods used to design and understand threats and security methods. It will also introduce the human factor and its impact on organisations. The second part of the module will focus on understanding cryptographic concepts and introduce several applied cryptography models in different environments.

The project is an extended piece of supervised independent work relevant to the field of Cyber Security and Forensics. The topic is generally proposed by the student after consultation with the module leader. The project should enable the student to draw on and extend the knowledge, skills and techniques of the field covered by the taught modules and show independent work that, whilst not original, demonstrates the development of skills and knowledge. The module will allow students to show appreciation of the topic investigated by providing a critical analysis of the findings.

This module covers the fundamental concepts in computer forensics. Students will learn about the physical and logical structure and organisation of storage media for the purpose of digital forensics. Students will use a variety of investigative examination and software tools to determine disk and file organisation, the gathering of information and evidence, recovery of deleted files and revealing hidden files structures.

This module examines various aspects of network security, including theoretical and practical areas. A substantial amount of work will be laboratory-based, involving the deployment of network security tools, the analysis of network data, and identifying security threats to networked computers and devices, their consequences, and methods of dealing with such threats. It provides an overview of security issues for networked systems.

Information Security (IS) Governance and Compliance are both essential components of cyber security and Forensics activities within any organisation, incident, or case study. The Information Security governance part of this module focusses on identifying risk management frameworks to guide information security activities, while the Information Security compliance focusses on defining policies, procedures, and guidelines aligning with an organisation’s objectives and regulatory and legal requirements.

This module examines digital forensics and security response with a practical focus. It introduces key network protocols and their potential vulnerabilities, emphasising tools  like Wireshark, intrusion detection systems, and their role in incident response. Core topics covered include malware analysis, evidence handling and incident response procedures. Students will apply their learning to through the exploration of real world network security incidents to meet the constantly evolving and emerging challenges in forensics.

The aim of this module is to explore the main aspects of the Digital Forensics Investigative process and apply the theory to practically based exercises, which would be similar to the work conducted in Industry.

The module assumes basic knowledge of cryptography and covers both theoretical and practical issues related to cyber security applications. The module aims to explore fundamental technologies and applications in cyber security; discuss underlying technologies and techniques used in cyber security applications; introduce the latest research that can help organisations move from ‘patch and pray’ defenses to security ‘by default’; set major theoretical issues involved in security in a broader information requirements context and explore current technological trends and the way they are employed by businesses (especially for cloud-based services); introduce a variety of techniques and frameworks designed to support security and privacy with particular emphasis on various cryptographic techniques; discuss different techniques used to exploit vulnerabilities and to mount attacks that result in security breaches. Students will be exposed to many exciting open problems in the field and will have the opportunity to work on programming projects related to security.

This module will look at system architectures and how systems can be defended; it will include consideration of the threat to security posed by legitimate users of the system and behavioural issues.