Network Security and Pen Testing MSc with Integrated Placement (15 months/24 months)

Master

In London

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Location

    London

  • Duration

    1 Year

  • Start date

    October

From national security to the privacy of personal communications, the smooth running of societies and economies depends on the security of computer networks. With a security breach potentially costing a company millions, highly skilled experts who can provide protection are sought-after across the globe. Technology is constantly developing and security issues are too, making this a challenging and rapidly evolving specialism.
Why study the MSc Network Security and Pen Testing with Integrated Placement (15 months/24 months) at Middlesex University?
This course provides both intensive practical training and a profound theoretical education, extending beyond the technicalities of network security to cover strategic and organisational issues. During your studies, you will work with our LTE test bed and Blade Server, and you will learn how to access and configure cloud-based networks.
You will be encouraged to learn, explore and work within our award-winning technology centre and its five specialist laboratories equipped with the latest industry-standard hardware and software, including OPNET, Wireshark, MATLAB, Simulink, OpNet Modeller 17.0, OMNeT++ , NI and Cisco technology such as Packet Tracer.
Practical work is an important part of every module, and unless you're already in employment, we'll encourage and support you to finding a placement for up to 12 weeks, during which you'll work on your independent research project.
Our strong research profile ensures our courses remain innovative. We have developed our own WSN, Senso LAB, and have also undertaken notable research in areas such as MIMO, LTE and LTE Advanced
The course is designed for those students who have previously studied computing at university level or who are currently working in the sector, and are looking to develop an advanced mastery of the subject.
Course highlights
You'll have the opportunity to gain practical experience in our industry-standard networking labs

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
See map
The Burroughs, NW4 4BT

Start date

OctoberEnrolment now open

About this course

Entry requirements
UK & EU
International
How to apply
Qualifications
We normally require a second class honours degree 2:2 or above in computer science, science or engineering
Candidates with other degrees but with relevant work experience will also be considered.
Eligibility
UK/EU and international students are eligible to apply for this course.
Academic credit for previous study or experience.

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Reviews

This centre's achievements

2018
2017

All courses are up to date

The average rating is higher than 3.7

More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months

This centre has featured on Emagister for 13 years

Subjects

  • Access
  • Problem Solving
  • Networking
  • Computing
  • Testing
  • Networks
  • Server
  • Network
  • Network security
  • Operating Systems
  • Design
  • University
  • Project
  • Communications
  • Systems
  • Technology
  • Industry
  • Engineering
  • Communication Training
  • Network Training

Course programme

Course content

What will you study on the MSc Network Security and Pen Testing with Integrated Placement (15 months/24 months)?

This Masters degree gives you an in-depth understanding of network design and construction, programming and operating systems, and the legal, ethical and professional issues which surround this sector. You will also study online security risks, installing the relevant procedures to ensure data is transmitted and stored securely, and developing measures that can be taken not only to prevent breaches but to minimise damage if they do occur.

What will you gain?

You will be equipped with the knowledge and expertise to analyse and build security systems, software and hardware applications, secure transactions, authentication measures, and cryptography and encryption techniques.

You will become familiar with the configurations of different systems in laboratories and learn to choose the appropriate measures and applications for a network. In addition to your proficiency in the subject, you will also have developed your mathematical, problem solving, communication, time management and critical skills.

The integral placement gives you the opportunity to apply the skills you have learned throughout your studies in a practical environment. You will be earning a full time salary and will learn skills that can't be taught in a classroom at University. During the placement, you will be able to gain further insight into industrial practice that you can take forward into your individual project and into your future career.

Modules

Computer Networks and Internetworking (15 Credits) - Compulsory

During this module you will develop a systematic understanding of the concepts, protocols and standards for computer networks and internetworking, used in current and future communication infrastructures. It is vital in today's networking market that network managers, administrators and engineers have a critical insight and practical experience of the essential tools used for monitoring, managing and evaluating computer networks. This module, which includes at least 12 hours spent working in labs, is designed to equip you with these problem solving and practical skills.

Operating Systems and Application Environments (15 Credits) - Compulsory

This module focuses on the design and implementation of the modern operating systems and application environments used to build commercial, online applications. The module involves at least 12 hours of lab work and examines key operating concepts including processes and threads, memory management, scheduling, inter-process communication (IPC), device drivers, storage systems, multiprocessor systems, micro-kernels and networking interfaces. You will concentrate on Linux, Windows, Apple iOS and Android operating systems before focusing on a detailed study of key application environments including the Eclipse IDE, XCode, and Android SDK. Finally, we look at the concept of virtual machines and building applications for the cloud using the Google GAE SDK.

Security Architectures and Mechanisms (30 Credits) - Compulsory

All of the key concepts and critical issues of network security are covered in this module, with particular emphasis on standards, protocols and applications. The module will provide you with an understanding of network security technologies, algorithms and protocols, the design criteria in cryptography and data security, as well as developing basic system analysis and solution synthesis.

Penetration Testing and Forensics (30 Credits) - Compulsory

The aim of this module is to provide you with the knowledge and experience in methodological approach to computer forensics and evidence analysis. It will familiarise you with the methods intruders use to gain unauthorised access to an organisation's networked systems and then compromise them. The extensive module involves at least 72 hours spent working in labs, developing in-depth experience of pen- testing methodologies and various vulnerability assessment procedures.

Network Security and Services (15 Credits) - Compulsory

Network services and security mechanisms are the primary focus of this module, which involves a minimum 12 hours of lab work. You will study the security of services deployed using the internet and the mechanisms which make them secure. During the module you will also investigate various networking technologies, including wired and wireless Ethernet, server hardware such as Blade Server Technology, networking architectures including IP networking and the Y-Comm Architecture, commercial Web servers using LAMP and the .NET Framework, Grid Computing and Cloud Computing. After this you will examine security mechanisms including Firewalls, the Secure Socket Layer (SSL), Network Address Translation (NAT), IPSec Framework and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). The course then explores new security mechanisms such as the Security Layers of the Y-Comm framework, Proxy Certificates and Certificate Authorities used in Grid and Cloud Computing.

Cyber Security and Legal Regulations (15 Credits) - Compulsory

This module provides you with a solid introduction to the subject of cyber security and information assurance. This includes a broad understanding of the security technologies available to support information assurance and security requirements and vulnerabilities corresponding to attack vectors. It will also explore regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, E-commerce Bill, key escrow.

Project Research and Communication Skills (0 Credits) - Compulsory

This zero-credit module is designed to develop your understanding of the process behind designing, planning and conducting applied research – which is essential before embarking upon your final 60-credit project. The research methods module covers research techniques, data collection and analysis, academic writing, referencing and citation, and how to develop a research proposal before you present your project through a written thesis and an oral exam.The module encourages you to apply and test theory and contribute to applications. It will also enhance your ability to handle data for problem solving and evaluation, and to test theory using analysis and simulations – integrating the learning from other modules. The module will also give you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the legal, social, ethical and professional issues in the context of computer communications.

Postgraduate Project in Computer and Communications Engineering (60 Credits) - Compulsory

Your final module is a large project on a topic you are a passionate about which is worth one third of the total masters. The project gives you the chance to combine your general and specialist computer and communications engineering knowledge and understanding, applying an existing or emerging technology to the solution of a practical problem. You could instead choose to carry out research to contribute and extend the theoretical understanding of new and advancing technology and its application. Through your project will also be able to demonstrate a personal commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment, while also becoming a specialist in a particular area of computer and communications engineering.Recent areas students have chosen to investigate have included evaluating WSNs, VANETs and open queueing networks with unreliable servers.

Placement (0 credits)

As part of this course, you can do an optional three month or one year industry placement. Programmes with integral placements give you the opportunity to apply the skills you have learned throughout your studies in a practical environment. You will be earning a full time salary and will learn skills that can't be taught in a classroom at University. During the placement, you will be able to gain further insight into industrial practice that you can take forward into your individual project and into your future career.

You will undertake your placement after completing your taught modules and project. During the placement, you will be assigned an academic supervisor, who will maintain direct contact with you. You will be able to access online materials at the University as well as other physical resources as appropriate. You will maintain a placement log for the day-to-day activities and submit a final report once the placement comes to an end.

Although the placement is not guaranteed, the University maintains links with a wide network of organisations who offer placement opportunities. The University will also provide you with full support to help you secure a placement, from job application to the interview.

In order to qualify for the placement period you must have passed all modules in the semesters preceding the placement.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Please note that optional modules may not run, due to student numbers or staff availability. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

Network Security and Pen Testing MSc with Integrated Placement (15 months/24 months)

Price on request