Bachelor of Cyber Security
2023 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2023 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Cyber Security |
| Course Map | The course map for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. The course map for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 091336M Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | S334 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| 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
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Minor sequences
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of minor sequences
- Other learning experiences
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 living 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 have 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, and 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 cyber crime?
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 brand-new specialised capstone project and co-working space, you will collaborate with your teammates on your capstone projects. Develop solutions to real-world problems from industry and learn agile project management methods, which are 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 a minimum of 100 hours of 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 and gain experience in entrepreneurship and 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 from the digital space.
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, 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
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.
Participation requirements
Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.
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
Student Equipment Purchases
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$500.
For information regarding hardware and software requirements, please refer to the School of Information Technology's website, www.deakin.edu.au/information-technology/students or telephone 03 9244 6699.
Combined courses
The Bachelor of Cyber Security is also available as the following combined courses
- D380 Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security
- D397 Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Cyber Security
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.
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 an IT context to inform, motivate and effect change utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Utilise a range of digital technologies and information sources to discover, analyse, evaluate, select, process and disseminate both technical and non-technical information. |
| Critical thinking | Evaluate specialist IT information using critical and analytical thinking, technical skills and well-developed judgement to identify problems, analyse user requirements and propose solutions. |
| Problem solving | Apply theoretical constructs and skills and critical analysis to real-world and ill-defined problems and develop innovative IT solutions. |
| Self-management | Apply knowledge and skills to new situations in professional practice and/or further learning in the field of IT with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner. Apply understanding of reflective practice and self-critique skills within broad parameters to plan for their own future continuing professional development. |
| Teamwork | Apply the principles of effective teamwork as a member of diverse IT teams to demonstrate responsibility for own learning within broad parameters. |
| Global citizenship | Apply professional and ethical standards and accountability for own learning to the development, design, construction and management of localised IT solutions. |
Approved by Faculty Board 2 June 2022
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Cyber Security, students must attain 24 credit points, which must include the following:
- Thirteen (13) credit points of core units
- Three (3) credit points of Cyber Security capstone units
- Four (4) credit points from a minor sequence
- Four (4) credit points of open elective units
- completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- completion of SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- completion of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Minor sequences
Refer to the details of each minor sequence for availability.
Course structure
Course Certifications
Students will also have the opportunity to complete industry certifications within the following core units as part of your cyber security degree for no additional cost:
| SIT182 | Real World Practices for Cyber Security |
| SIT218 | Secure Coding |
| SIT282 | Computer Forensics and Investigations |
| SIT379 | Ethical Hacking |
Certifications include:
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Certified Secure Programmer (ECSP)
- Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals (CSX)
These industry certifications are recognised globally and prove your competence and proficiency in these highly skilled cyber security areas.
Core
Year 1 -Trimester 1
| SIT102 | Introduction to Programming |
| SIT111 | Computer Systems |
| SIT182 | Real World Practices for Cyber Security |
| SIT192 | Discrete Mathematics |
| STP050 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| SIT010 | Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
Year 1 - Trimester 2
| SIT202 | Computer Networks and Communication |
| SIT232 | Object-Oriented Development |
Plus one elective unit (one credit point)
Plus one minor unit (one credit point)
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| SIT282 | Computer Forensics and Investigations # |
| SIT384 | Cyber Security Analytics |
Plus one elective unit (one credit point)
Plus one minor unit (one credit point)
Year 2 - Trimester 2
| SIT218 | Secure Coding |
| SIT223 | Professional Practice in Information Technology |
Plus one elective unit (one credit point)
Plus one minor unit (one credit point)
Year 3 - Trimester 1
| SIT324 | Malware Analysis |
| SIT327 | Network Forensics |
Plus one minor unit (one credit point)
Plus one (1) credit point from the following capstone options:
| SIT374 | Team Project (A) - Project Management and Practices ^~ OR |
One (1) SIT elective unit
Year 3 - Trimester 2
| SIT379 | Ethical Hacking |
Plus one elective unit (one credit point)
Plus two (2) credit points from the following capstone options:
| SIT378 | Team Project (B) - Execution and Delivery ^ and |
| SIT306 | IT Placements and Industry Experience ^+ |
OR
| 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 IT.
~ Note: Students are recommended to undertake SIT374 and SIT378 in consecutive trimesters. Students should seek advice from the unit chair if they are unable to complete SIT374 and SIT378 consecutively.
# Corequisite of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
Electives
Select from a range of elective units offered across many courses. In some cases 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 where you will be required to undertake a minimum of 100 hours in industry, providing professional work experience with an approved host organisation. Alternatively, high achieving students may have the opportunity to undertake an extended full-time paid industry-based learning placement (conditions apply, please refer to deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil)
Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of minor sequences
Security Management
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Geelong (Waurn Ponds), Online
Unit set code
MN-S000003
Overview
The Security Management minor will provide the opportunity for you to use your gained managerial and cyber security skills to assist companies in their planning, governance and change policies to help ensure their resilience and defence of related threats.
Units
| MIS211 | Cyber Security and Governance |
| MMH356 | Change Management |
| MMM132 | Management |
| SIT284 | Cyber Security Management |
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 - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work 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.