MSc
Computer and Information Security
Carry out your own digital investigations
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Suitable for current and training security professionals, this course provides a detailed and contemporary education in computer and IT security.
It covers security at various stages of the software development process – its specification, implementation and its capability of digital forensics analysis, resulting in your deep understanding of the value of security.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Use a range of digital forensic tools in the context of a digital investigation
- Learn to select and apply security mechanisms and methods such as cryptographic software operations to improve the security of a computer system
- Manage a real-life computer engineering project using appropriate techniques for writing and reasoning about security policies
What opportunities might it lead to?
In an increasingly complex digital world, where threats towards personal sensitive data and digital assets relevant to areas of national defence, IT industry and large-scale sciences, are becoming ever more subtle, this course in computer security leads to new prospects for building a professional career in this exciting and important field of security.
The mobile laboratory is one of the best I've seen. The practicals are based on real-life scenarios which are great and we also benefit from speakers from top mobile companies.
Nkem Nzemeke, computing student 2013
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time, 3 years part time
- Entry
A second class honours degree in a relevant subject such as computer sciences, information security, software engineering, forensics or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications in IT security.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 5.5.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £5,000, part-time students: £1,670 p/a* (3 years)
International full-time students: £11,900, part-time students: £3,970 p/a* (3 years)
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- technology.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2555 - Department
- School of Computing
Structure & Teaching
You will study four key topics which will collaboratively develop your knowledge and ability to carry out forensic IT investigations as well as an introduction on how to build protected specification software for data and other web applications. You will also get to build your own test system as part of your final project.
Here are the units you will study:
- Computer Security: Introducing computer and information security concepts and their practical application in both closed and interconnected systems, this unit aims to develop your critical analysis skills required for building secure systems.
- Computer Forensic Investigation and Cryptography: This unit covers the practical aspects of conducting forensic investigation and includes an introduction to cryptographic and steganalysis methods and techniques necessary for the discovery and recovery of hidden information.
- Formal Approaches to Software Development: This unit will develop your knowledge in mathematically rigorous approaches to system specification and development.
- Advanced Programming Skills for the Web: This unit will draw together a number of system development skills focusing on the development of web applications and connecting databases to web applications, software tools, testing and security.
- Master’s Project: In the final part of the course, you will undertake a substantial engineering project where you will apply the skills and knowledge from the taught part of the course to build and test a system in response to a practical computer and information security problem, often supplied by local businesses or other external clients.
Teaching and Assessment
You will be taught using a combination of formal lectures, tutorials and lab sessions. You’ll also be required to spend a significant amount of time in private study, which may involve additional software development or research as appropriate to the topic you are currently studying.
How are you assessed?
You will encounter a range of assessment styles depending on the content and nature of the unit topic. This can include written assignments, presentations as well as group and individual lab-based assessments. However, the most significant assessment element is the final dissertation, which reports and reflects on your final project.
Facilities & Features
Specialist Software and Equipment
You’ll have a range of excellent resources at your fingertips
Guest Speakers
Guest speakers provide interesting insights into current issues within the field
Tutor Centre
A one-stop academic help and support resource
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Specialist Software and Equipment
A full range of industry software will be available for you to use in the computer labs, supported by multi-platform network suites offering a variety of operating systems. You’ll have a range of excellent resources at your fingertips including:
- ECAD and software development suites
- analogue and digital electronics
- microprocessors
- telecommunications and control systems
- Linux, Windows and Unix systems
Guest Speakers
You’ll benefit from organised lectures from visiting speakers with industrial experience and members of the course team are working with the Chartered Institute of IT in the formation of the Cybercrime Forensics Specialist Group. We also have staff trained in specialist software and investigation techniques by commercial organisations such as 7Safe Security and Access Data. This all contributes to providing you with an insight into the current issues and methods within the field of digital forensics.
Tutor Centre
A one-stop academic help and support resource for all School of Computing students. Need help understanding your assessments? Want to talk to someone about your project or about a programming problem? This is the place to go.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
We subscribe to the Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) Digital Library, which will give you access to full text articles from leading computing and computer science journals.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Computer and information security remains at the forefront of the global digital economy and national defence. Potential career roles can include security engineer, security architect, R&D researcher in security-related projects and forensic analyst.
The course will also strengthen your research skills, enabling you to pursue an academic and industry research career. Our collaborative ties, maintained by the Computer Security and Digital Forensics Group (part of the Pervasive Computing Research Group) in the School of Computing, with various scientific and industrial sectors, both at the national and the EU levels, will also enhance this.
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.