Master of Science in Cybersecurity Operations

Applications are closed for September 2024. 

The objective of the Masters in Cybersecurity Operations is to educate IT practitioners in responding to cyber-attack incidents. It examines the tools to identify threat actors. Models and frameworks are followed to manage the response. Data analytics can use tools such as machine learning to identify anomalies in organisational IT traffic.

Cybersecurity Operations involves implementing secure architecture to defend against vulnerable systems. It can be considered the stage when risk and compliance has failed.

This Masters provides a pathway for IT professionals to upskill in the area of cybersecurity operations. Developed in partnership with HPE, a learner can pursue a major L9 award through 4 x 10 credit taught modules and completing a 50-credit thesis

The taught modules are delivered in year one of the Masters and prepares the learner for independent, delt-directed thesis research in the domain of cybersecurity operations  

Incident Detection & Response (10 Credits) 

When Risk & Compliance fails, an organization must respond to cyber incidents. All IT practitioners and security operations personnel need to have the skills to systematically neutralize a threat. These steps include identifying a threat, employing quarantine measures and implementing robust measures to mitigate against future compromises. Engineering models and frameworks such as Mitre ATT&CK are explored as a means of analysing organisational data, identifying mitigating threats. 

Programming for Data Analytics (10 Credits) 

Incident detection identifies threat actors operating within an organization’s IT infrastructure. Using data analytic tools and machine learning, IT security personnel can forensically examine and identify anomalous activity, potentially being a malicious threat. Coding is an integral part of designing bespoke analytical tools and this module explores the programming languages necessary for data interpretation and visualisation.  

Secure Operations (10 Credits) 

An organization endeavours to secure its IT architecture against threats. Vulnerability management ensures elements of this architecture are configured and secured correctly. Implementing robust defences is the best method to mitigate against these threats. Preparedness for an incident is as important as incident response. 

Research Methods and Critical Analysis (10 Credits) 

Theoretical concepts, research paradigms and critical readings relevant to the field of academic or professional applied research will be explored. Epistemological and ontological considerations will be discussed in relation to research design and learners will reflect on the challenges of carrying out empirical social research in their particular workplace or specialist field of application. Students will reflect upon some of the ethical, societal and practical problems of data collection, including sampling, gaining access to the field, designing a research instrument and the principles of qualitative and quantitative analysis.  

The Thesis or Dissertation can be pursued in parallel with the year two modules and completed in year two. 

Thesis/Dissertation (50 Credits) 

This applied research thesis or dissertation module provides the mechanism for learners to carry out an in-depth, independent investigation, analysis and presentation of a research topic; organisational or workplace innovation dilemma of their choosing, related to the relevant academic discipline and/or professional field. This Applied Research Project or Dissertation module requires the learner to conceptualise, design, conduct, analyse and formally write up, then visually / orally present a substantial research project or workplace innovation/intervention to postgraduate research standard. 

The Cyber Security Skills Report 2021 identified that 62% of core IT companies will hire a security related person in the next year. 46% of security teams are understaffed leading to a demand for roles as security engineers, analysts, consultants and architects. At any one time, there are over 100 IT Security or Cyber Security related roles available. As an example, the following 2 positions (Systems Administrator, Senior Cyber Security Analyst) demonstrate that security and/or cyber security skills are required as part of their specific roles and responsibilities. The two roles can be on either end of an IT job spectrum, specifically related to cybersecurity:

Systems Administrator

• Design, Configuration, Maintenance and Monitoring of different Linux, Windows Servers, Network devices.
• AWS Cloud, Azure Cloud and Office 365 management.
• Basic database administration
• Quickly arrange repair for hardware in occasion of hardware failure
• End Point Device and Patch management and device OS rollouts.
• Manage backup and recovery.
• Implement the policies for the use of the computer system and network
• Setup security policies for users. A system administrator must have a strong grasp of computer security (e.g. firewalls and intrusion detection systems)
• Identity management in local AD and cloud services.

Senior Cyber Security Analyst

• Participate in incident response and threat triage ensuring all incidents are brought to complete mitigation and/or closure
• Document and maintain threat alerts, procedures, analysis, and investigations accurately
• Perform root cause analysis and review complex attacks and threats - reconcile them against multiple sources and identify where a potential incident may have occurred
• Participate in technology and policy implementation, tuning and oversight of new threat processes and procedures across all insider threat technologies executed in the firm, particularly in cutting edge analytics space.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are a Level 8 qualification in an IT related discipline. 

Fees and Funding

The Total Fees (EU Fees) for this programme can be found on our Fees & Funding webpage - Fees & Funding | ATU - Atlantic Technological University. 

Contact

Dr Seamus Dowling, Programme Chair, ATU Galway Mayo.

Email: seamus.dowling@atu.ie

Tel: 094 9043251