Bachelor of Cyber Security

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Cyber Security
Deakin course code	S334
Faculty	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Online	Yes
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS course code	091336M Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Cyber security threats are a rapidly growing global challenge for individuals and businesses alike. Secure technology is not only pivotal to business, but to everyday life. As a result, cyber security professionals are in high demand around the world. Deakin’s Bachelor of Cyber Security equips you with the essential skills to investigate and combat cybercrime and cyber terrorism. You will graduate with the expertise to tackle one of the fastest-growing criminal threats to modern-day society.

Gain practical and theoretical knowledge with an emphasis on assessing cyber security in a working environment, as well as the business, ethical and legal implications of risk management. You will cover areas such as computer crime and digital forensics and gain the skills to identify, diagnose and manage the challenges of cyber security. As a graduate, you will be well prepared for an exciting career in one of the most in-demand global industries.

Are you ready to join the fight against cybercrime?

Rise to the challenge of cybercrime with a world class degree from a university ranked in the top 1% globally for computer science and information systems.*

This course equips you with the skills demanded by a diverse range of industry and government sectors, covering areas such as:

computer crime and digital forensics
evaluating software for security vulnerabilities
designing secure databases
securing operating systems
assessing and reinforcing the security of websites
integrating security requirements into new developments
designing secure network architectures
performing risk assessments and responding to cyber security incidents.

With access to our specialised capstone project and co-working space, you will collaborate with your teammates on your capstone project, develop solutions to real-world industry problems and learn agile project management methods, widely used across the industry. Our past students have collaborated on capstone projects such as:

is my smart home secure enough?
virtual penetration testing lab
one-time pad (OTP) VPN
voice activated password security
secure Australian online voting system.

This course also includes a core IT work placement unit, where you will undertake professional work experience with an approved host organisation. You may also have the opportunity to access one of 50 guaranteed employment placements with banks, including partnerships with NAB, ANZ and Dimension Data. You will work on industry projects, gain experience in entrepreneurship, and acquire valuable business skills.

This experience ensures you will be well-prepared to apply your learning in the workplace and deal with imminent threats and challenges emerging in the digital space.

*2022 ShanghaiRankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Cyber Security is professionally accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Career opportunities

Graduate with the skills needed to thrive in a booming industry and help secure our digital future. Australian Government employment projections predict a 38.9% growth for database and systems administrators and ICT security specialists for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026*. Take advantage of this huge demand for cyber security specialists with the Bachelor of Cyber Security at Deakin.

As a graduate you may find employment in one of the following roles:

cyber security analyst
network security analyst
cyber threat analyst
incident responder
operations coordinator
penetration tester
cyber security advisor
vulnerability researcher
cyber security consultant
information security auditor
IT security engineer
digital forensics analyst
project manager
cyber security system developer or programmer
cyber security system manager.

*Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026

Participation requirements

Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.

Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Equipment requirements

The learning experiences and assessment activities within this course require that students have access to a range of technologies beyond a desktop computer or laptop. Students will be required to purchase minor equipment, such as small single board computers, microcontrollers and sensors, which will be used within a range of units in this course. This equipment is also usable by the student beyond their studies. Equipment requirements and details of suppliers will be provided on a per-unit basis. The indicative cost of this equipment for this course is AUD$500.

For information regarding hardware and software requirements, please refer to the Bring your own device (BYOD) guidelines via the School of Information Technology website in addition to the individual unit outlines in the Handbook.

Combined courses

The Bachelor of Cyber Security is also available as the following combined courses

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Develop a broad, coherent knowledge of the IT discipline including its dynamic environment, with detailed knowledge of project management principles and in depth knowledge in IT Security. Design, develop and implement IT systems and software, and associated policies and procedures for optimal use and apply industry standards and best practice in one or more specialised areas of IT. Acquire in-depth knowledge and skills to develop, implement and manage security solutions for systems, networks, and data according to industry-accepted standards and best practice.
Communication	Communicate in a professional context to inform, explain and drive sustainable innovation through cyber security, utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences.
Digital literacy	Use digital technologies, platforms, frameworks and tools from the field of cyber security to generate, manage, process and share digital resources and solutions.
Critical thinking	Critically analyse information provided to inform decision making and evaluation of plans and solutions associated with the field of cyber security.
Problem solving	Apply cognitive, technical, and creative skills from cyber security to understand requirements and design, implement, and operate solutions to real-world and ill-defined computing problems.
Self-management	Work independently to apply knowledge and skills to new situations in professional practice and/or further learning in the field of cyber security with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility, and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner.
Teamwork	Work independently and collaboratively to achieve team goals, contributing knowledge and skills from cyber security to advance the teams objectives, employing effective teamwork practices and principles, and comprehending distinct workplace roles and their functions.
Global citizenship	Apply professional and ethical standards and accountability in the field of cyber security, and engage openly and respectfully with diverse communities and cultures.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Cyber Security students must pass 24 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
13 credit points of core units
3 credit points of cyber security capstone units
1 minor (4 credit points)
4 credit points of open elective units
a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Minors

Refer to the details of each minor sequence for availability.

Course structure

Course Certifications

The following units are designed to align with established cyber security industry certifications.

SIT182

Real World Practices for Cyber Security

SIT218

Secure Coding

SIT282

Computer Forensics and Investigations

SIT379

Ethical Hacking

Examples of industry certifications include, but are not limited to:

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certified Secure Programmer (ECSP)
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
Cybersecurity Fundamentals (CSX)

These industry certifications are recognised globally and provide an indication of your competency in these highly skilled cyber security areas.

Course structure

Core

Year 1 -Trimester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

SIT010

Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)

STP010

Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points)

SIT102

Introduction to Programming

SIT111

Computer Systems

SIT182

Real World Practices for Cyber Security

SIT192

Discrete Mathematics

Year 1 - Trimester 2

SIT202

Computer Networks and Communication

SIT232

Object-Oriented Development

Plus 2 minor or open elective units (2 credit points)

Year 2 - Trimester 1

SIT282

Computer Forensics and Investigations

SIT384

Cyber Security Analytics

Plus 2 minor or open elective units (2 credit points)

Year 2 - Trimester 2

SIT218

Secure Coding

SIT223

Professional Practice in Information Technology #

Plus 2 minor or open elective units (2 credit points)

Year 3 - Trimester 1

SIT324

Malware Analysis

SIT327

Network Forensics

SIT374

Team Project (A) - Project Management and Practices ^

Plus 1 minor or open elective unit (1 credit point)

Year 3 - Trimester 2

SIT379

Ethical Hacking

Plus 1 minor or open elective unit (1 credit point)

Plus 2 credit points from the following capstone options:

SIT378

Team Project (B) - Execution and Delivery ^

SIT306

IT Placements and Industry Experience ^+

SIT344

Professional Practice (2 credit points) ^+

^ Offered in Trimester 1, Trimester 2, Trimester 3.

+ Students must have completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit) and SIT223 Professional Practice in Information Technology.

# Corequisite of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit).

It is important to ensure your course plan meets the course rules detailed above. Students should contact Student Central for assistance with course planning, choosing the right units and understanding course rules.

Electives

Select from a range of elective units offered across many courses. You may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).

Work experience

This course includes a compulsory work placement with an approved host organisation to take your learning beyond the classroom and prepare you to be work and career ready. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units offered in this course provide you with the opportunity to develop your professional networks and work practices while completing your degree.

Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

For more information visit SEBE Work Integrated Learning.

Details of minor sequences

Security Management

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Geelong (Waurn Ponds), Online

Unit set code

MN-S000003

Overview

The Security Management minor will give you opportunity to use your learned managerial and cyber security skills to assist companies in their planning, governance and change policies, ensuring their resilience and defence of related threats.

Units

Four units from:

MIS211

Cyber Security and Governance *

MMH356

Change Management *

MMM132

Management *

SIT182

Real World Practices for Cyber Security

SIT284

Cyber Security Management *

*Students in S326, S334 and S434 should undertake MIS211, MMH356, MMM132 and SIT284.

Network Security

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Geelong (Waurn Ponds), Online

Unit set code

MN-S000010

Overview

Learn the details of defending computer networks. Study advanced network defence techniques including using forensics, machine learning, and data science to protect network data from attackers.

Units

SIT221

Data Structures and Algorithms

SIT281

Cryptography

SIT325

Advanced Network Security

SIT326

Advanced Network Analytics and Forensics

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

To broaden your experience of the world, you will have an opportunity to participate in overseas placements and study tours as an elective option in your course.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.