Master of Cyber Security

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The Master of Cyber Security will provide you with the range of skills required for an increasingly connected world, where security of information is critical.

The program aims to equip you with the mathematical, technical and business tools to secure an organisation’s information systems.

Cyber security is a vital responsibility for organisations of all sizes and in today’s networked world it is more important than ever.

From the latest internet worm to identity theft, danger is no more than a click away.

You will learn about local area network (LAN) security, cryptography, the Advanced Encryption Standard, RSA, smartcards, biometrics, ethical hacking and information systems risk management.

This program includes opportunities for cyber security internships with industry organisations, both large and small.

How you will learn

The program is offered through a flexible combination of lectures, tutorials and computer laboratory classes.

There are also opportunities for you to participate in team-based projects and to engage in consulting activities.

State-of-the-art cyber security software and work-simulated exercises used in the program will provide you with hands-on experience.

Industry connections

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional practice.

In this program, you will complete specific courses that focus on work-integrated learning (WIL).

You will be assessed on your professional abilities in a workplace setting (real or simulated) and receive feedback from industry members.

Courses usually involve work on a real-world problem, where you will provide analysis, create a report and present your findings, receiving valuable feedback from industry partners.

You will also have an internship opportunity and previous students have interned with companies such as AusPost, Jemena, ANZ and Victoria Police.

Electives and program structure

The program consists of 192 credit points.

You will develop skills to apply a range of mathematical, analytical, algorithmic and computational techniques.

You will model and critically evaluate a range of cyber security systems and processes (hardware, software-based or a hybrid) that operate on a diverse range of media (optical, wireless or wired).

You will use a variety of protocols (EFTPOS, INTERNET, CCITT) in business or personal communications, keeping in mind the importance of ethical values in this service-oriented field.

Courses are aimed at a holistic approach to cyber security and are paired with insights from industry experts.

The curriculum covers many topics, including risk management and cryptosystems, biometrics and ethical hacking.

The two-semester project in second year allows you to gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in a cyber security topic of your choice.

Admissions

• An Australian bachelor degree in computing, or IT, or software, or electrical, or electronics, or communications, or mathematics, or physics with a GPA of at least 2.0 out of 4.0, or equivalent

OR

• An Australian bachelor degree in a scientific/engineering/technical field with a GPA of at least 1.5 out of 4.0 or equivalent, with evidence of at least three years’ current, relevant work experience in the field of IT/ information security.

International qualifications are assessed for comparability to Australian qualifications according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Exemptions Some applicants might be eligible for exemptions that might change the duration of their program.

English language requirements

To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)

• TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)

• TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)

• Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)

• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

Career

Some of the cyber security roles undertaken by RMIT graduates, in both government and private organisations, include:

• penetration testers

• IT risk analysts

• security managers

• forensic analysts

• security auditors

• network security engineers