MSc Advanced Security and Digital Forensics

This course focuses on the areas of securing computer, network and communications systems, incident response, and the forensic investigation of digital devices and networks. Computer security is a growth industry, and is vital in modern computing environments. You will gain foundation knowledge in all the key areas of computing cyber security, both defensive and offensive, as well as post incident response. The digital forensic aspects of the course include network and computer forensics, allowing you to develop the knowledge required to conduct computer-related investigations across networks, systems, and other digital devices. Cyber security and digital forensics are becoming significant computing disciplines, with an acknowledged skill shortage coupled with growing employment opportunities. Our industry informed course combines thorough coverage of academic theory aligned with extensive hands-on practical activities, supported by fully online web-based materials with virtualised lab environments that provide an equivalent experience to our on-campus specialist facilities. The distance learning course modules run in parallel with our face to face modules, and are aligned to the same three week academic trimesters, including the assessments which are taken in the same weeks as on-campus students. As the teaching runs to the same weekly schedule, distance students who wish to attend some of the taught classes here in Edinburgh are more than welcome, but there is no requirement to attend. The course content and assessments are fully online and are supported by the same staff as the on-campus teaching, leading to an academically equivalent MSc degree. The School of Computing has developed close ties with industry, law enforcement, and the public sector, through partnerships with organisations such as Cisco Systems, Guidance Software, Dell Secure Works, NCA, NCC, Police Scotland, and many others. The course benefits from this by including many guest lecturers by industry experts. Through the dedicated cyber security and forensic research group extensive cutting edge research is also carried out in key domains by an ever growing cohort of Phd students. The programme also has an affiliation with The Cyber Academy here at Edinburgh Napier, which integrates formally with a range of international initiatives including into a European Centre of Excellence, along with the EU-funded DFET project, which is building a world class virtualised infrastructure for Cyber Security teaching and training, with strong links into law enforcement industry and academia across the World. The MSc is also one of a very small number of courses certified by GCHQ, recognising UK universities which are excellent in Cyber Security. What you will study Host-Based Forensics (D/L) Network Security (D/L) Security Audit and Compliance e-Security (DL) Incident Response and Malware Analysis Computer Penetration Testing Dissertation Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study. You can view a list of all current modules in our module catalogue.