Cyber Security and Digital Forensics BSc

In year 1, you will study the conceptual, technical and mathematical underpinnings of computer networks and information systems, programming, databases and computer communication, through workshops, seminars, academic advising system and laboratory assignments. You will undertake problem-solving and design tasks to reinforce and deepen your understanding and apply theory to practice in laboratory tasks.

The module covers the fundamental behaviour and components (hardware and software) of a typical computer system, and how they collaborate to manage resources and provide services - for small, embedded devices right up to the entire global internet. You will use practical hands-on laboratory experiments to understand the concepts, theory and associated terminology of Computer Architecture and Operating Systems and Networks. You will undertake lab work using C code, Batch, Bash and Python, and develop a range of programming skills that will support you in this module and other areas.  

In this module you'll learn how to programme effectively in the context of solving a range of problems around processing, storing and transmitting data. You will learn the role of a basic but important range of data structures and types and their use. For example, networking and security fields, such as those that represent RTP packets, to transmit audio- visual data using transport protocols such as the UDP protocol. You will learn about algorithms and the techniques for program implementation. You will undertake a variety of problem-solving tasks individually and within a small group setting.

This module provides a theoretically-rich, hands-on introduction to networking and the internet. You will learn the practical and conceptual skills that build the foundation for understanding basic networking and develop the skills and responsibilities of network technicians, network administrators, and network engineers. You will gain an understanding of the 'layered' approach to networks by examining the OSI and TCP/IP models in detail. Among the topics covered will be the various network devices, network addressing schemes and the types of media used to carry data across a network. You will gain a better understanding of routing protocols and learn how to configure, verifying, and troubleshoot routing operations.

In any modern business environment, data is used to store, preserve, search, retrieve and display information to improve important business processes. This module provides a comprehensive introduction to database design, technology, implementation and manipulation - core IT skills and a firm foundation for higher-level academic study or a rewarding career in many IT related areas, such as data analytics.

In year 2, you will deepen and refine your understanding using real-life scenarios and undertake group project work. There is an increasing emphasis on design, problem solving and analysis, and developing research and communication skills. You will study digital scene incidents and use industry level software to analyse the results, build encrypted web pages and examine secure communication in devices using the Internet of Things. You will study ISO26000 and Sustainable Development Goals in organisations and cover project management, standards, regulations and ethics.  

This module teaches you about the design and development of systems for the Internet of Everything (IoT), including its architecture, applications, technologies on each layer, and IoE-specific data processing and analytics frameworks including cloud technologies. 

In the past years there has been an increase in attacks on websites that can result in the disclosure of information that is of a personal and confidential nature. With the introduction of GDPR it is no longer acceptable to collect information overtly and then not protect that information adequately. The purpose of this module is to build secure websites and Internet systems which appropriately comply with GDPR and deploy practical cryptographic techniques for the information collected and stored. 

This module provides you with a thorough understanding of all phases in a digital investigation, and the principles of evidence management. It teaches you how to maintain chain of custody and ensure that digital evidence is processed in a way that preserves its integrity. You will learn how to extract data from a variety of digital devices and perform forensic analysis using industry standard tools and software. You will learn about the importance of verification and the need to keep a detailed record of their actions with contemporaneous notes, so that they are able to justify any actions they take. These skills are then deployed in a simulated incident scene 

In this module you will learn about cybersecurity regulations and standards, and the requirements and impact of international compliance standards. You will develop skills highly valued by employers, including all aspects of professional practise such as IT project management and you will study ethical, legal, regulatory, organisational and business issues within the fields of cybersecurity, computer communications and connected computer systems.

You will undertake a relevant work placement to gain work experience in a technical employment role, applying your theoretical knowledge to practical problems and providing solutions. You will develop your professional qualities, communication skills and work in a management structure and as part of a team. A placement is the opportunity to learn independently and develop the maturity required to perform well in your final year. Placements are a minimum of nine months and a maximum of 15 months.

In year 3 you will study ethical hacking/programming and examine and test intrusion prevention and detection systems. You will learn about how digital footprints are left in memory and detect intrusion or malware, choose other optional modules and undertake an individual project.  

In this module you'll cover general and advanced areas related to network security, cyber security, and network forensics. You'll examine issues, such as, threats and security attacks, vulnerabilities, cryptography, security tools, software security, network attacks and defences, countermeasures, web-based security, network forensic analysis, and security in cloud computing.  

This module will teach you to understand and interpret data from physical memory (RAM). You will learn how to extract dumps of physical memory through forensically acceptable methods of acquisition and how these various approaches can impact upon the examination and analysis process. You will gain practical experience in the lab sessions through use of the Volatility Framework, working with real examples from the Linux and Windows operating systems. Through this you will learn how malware authors and attackers take advantage of operating system architecture to enable their nefarious activities, and the correct strategies and tools to identify and locate them. You will also be taught how to develop scripts that help to automate some of the extraction and acquisition process, and the wider role that memory analysis plays in a digital investigation. 

In this module you will consolidate your knowledge and the skills acquired during your studies and demonstrate this through an individual project applied in a practical, real-world context. This could be related to a computer network, communication solutions, cybersecurity solution or a method for digital forensic investigation.

You will study different types of network and cyber threats to computer systems and networks, and learn the various measures needed to secure systems to counteract and mitigate against these threats. 

Blockchain technology is changing how organisations communicate and operate, resulting in a challenge and opportunity for blockchain developers and analysts. In this module you will learn how to apply blockchain technology to practical problems, how to develop and implement compliance and regulation strategies for business and how to perform blockchain analytics. 

In this module you'll gain a deep insight into the evolving and complex landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science technologies. You will gain a nuanced understanding of the latest advances in data science, machine learning, algorithms, deep learning, techniques and natural language processing, and their practical applications. You will critically evaluate and skilfully apply these cutting-edge technologies in a variety of real-world scenarios. You will also learn about equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practices and the ethical and societal implications of using AI technologies.

During your first year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of: 

• 4 hours of interactive workshops 
• 8 hours of labs.

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.

Here is an indication of how you will split your time:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

You can consult your academic advisor throughout the year and each module will have opportunities for formative feedback. Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop the skills relevant to your degree from research and practical skills to critical thinking.

Our Sheppard Library is open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Sunday during term time. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus, even over the weekend.

Your learning will be assessed regularly by the following methods. The exact balance will depend on the modules you are taking. The table below is a good approximate guide.

^{* dependent on options taken in final year}

Your skills are assessed by a mixture of coursework, practical tests and essays. There are no examinations and skills are assessed by a combination of:  

• Authentic Coursework 
• Project work and management  
• Multiple choice questions 
• Student observable behaviour  
• Modelling and programming 
• Supervised laboratory exercises 
• Practical Laboratory tests 
• Writing-up experiments into a report and taking contemporaneous notes 
• Dissertation. 

The table below is an approximate guide of how you will be assessed, and the exact balance will depend on the modules you are taking. 

You can consult your academic advisor throughout the year and each module will have opportunities for formative feedback. 

You can consult your academic advisor throughout the year and each module will have opportunities for formative feedback.