Master of Science in Cyber Security

About this programme

The Master of Science in Cyber Security focuses on training students who can be cyber-security professionals. The programme covers a number of issues including common security threats to cyber environments and how to protect the cyber environment from such threats, design and implementation of cyber surety policies in organizations. The growth of Internet accessibility and all the associated technologies has enabled many organizations to set up cyber environments for purposes of resource sharing, distributed computing and connectivity to other organization. Such cyber environments are always prone to cyber-attacks and this puts the information systems of such organizations at risk. A cyber security professional is always required to ensure a secure cyber environment. Although cyber environments enhance resource sharing, distributed computing and connectivity to other organizations, they expose the organization’s resources to cyber-attacks. It is therefore important that we develop a capacity of cyber security professionals who are aware of the common threats in cyber environments and the most prevailing cyber security interventions to avert such threats, and also can apply existing cyber security policies to manage any threats. Upon successful completion of the programme, learners are expected to:

1. Plan, specify, design and develop secure cyber environments in organizations.

1. Manage a secure cyber network of an organization and advise the executive management of such an organization in decision making regarding the security of their cyber environment.
2. Successfully formulate and ensure implementation of cyber security policies in organizations.

How you will learn

Being a virtual university, the NIU will run this programme purely online by using online live classes through video conferencing, online weekly quizzes and tutorials posted on the courses’ e-learning platform, online simulation tools for practical demonstrations, individual reading assignments, among others.

What you will learn

In this programme, you will take 10 modules each weighted at 4 or 5 Credit Units and write a MA dissertation worth 12 Credit Units in the specific area of Cyber Security. You are free to take a minimum of 1 module to a maximum of three modules in a term. A term is made up of 3 months of study and one week of final module examination. Each student shall spend an additional 6 to 9 months of supervised dissertation writing to fulfill the requirements for the MA (Cyber Security). Therefore, this study model provides the flexibility that enables you to complete the MA of Public Health programme in 2 to 4 academic years depending on the pace that suits your schedule and learning goals.

What You will study:

The Master of Science in Cyber Security programme has programme has 12 taught course units where 2 are institutional requirements, 8 are core courses and 2 are elective/optional courses. Upon successfully passing the institutional requirements and core courses, the student must write and defend a research dissertation that makes a research contribution to cyber security discipline. You will study;

Institutional Requirements (Mandatory)

1. Critical Thinking and Decision Making
2. Research Methodology

Core Modules (Mandatory)

1. Database Systems
2. Information Systems Security
3. ICT Policy Formulation and Implementation
4. Cloud Computing and Big Data Analytics
5. Security and Privacy Issues in Data Analytics
6. Information Audit and Security Assurance Principles
7. Computer Network and Security
8. Wireless and Mobile Systems Security

Elective/Optional Course Units

1. Intellectual Property Management
2. Emerging Trends in Cyber Security

Dissertation on any Cyber Security topic (Mandatory)

Programme Career Paths

Graduates of Master of Science in Cyber Security can work in organizations as Cyber Security Analysts, Cyber Security consultants, Cyber Penetration and Vulnerability Testers, among others. They can also be prospective candidates for PhD in Cyber Security or a related ICT field.  

Meet your Facilitators and Trainers

  Dr. Abdal Kasule             Dr. Joab Agaba