Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security |
| Deakin course code | S535 |
| Course Credit Points | 4 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2017 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Duration | 0.5 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for students commencing from Trimester 1 2026 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
| Supplementary Information | INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin online studies. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
In today's digital world - where technology is central to daily life - cyber security threats are a major challenge across many industry sectors. With cyber-attacks becoming more frequent, cyber security skills are crucial for the success of our digital future, and professionals in this field are in high demand globally. Learn how to identify, diagnose and manage cyber security threats, and graduate ready for a successful cyber security career anywhere in the world.
Focusing on a range of key industry-relevant areas, you will develop expertise in system security and digital forensics, analytics and organisational security. You will graduate equipped with the knowledge and talent to take on an expert security role within business, government or law enforcement.
Are you driven to safeguard data and networks in an ever-changing cyber landscape?
Skilled cyber security professionals are needed across government, finance, tech, education, communications and entertainment industries, and more. You will graduate with promising career opportunities, equipped with strategies to protect digital assets and the people who rely on them.
In the Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security, you will learn from experienced lecturers, benefit from Deakin’s cutting-edge facilities, and have access to leading industry partners. You will delve deep into the principles, practices and technologies involved in protecting digital systems and networks. These cover the entire spectrum of protection, from governance and maintenance to physical and remote access, monitoring, and reporting.
You will gain the vital skills to identify vulnerabilities in digital systems, implement effective security measures and respond to cyber incidents. Additionally, you will enhance your critical thinking, problem-solving skills and communication abilities, which are indispensable in the field of cyber security.
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.
Career opportunities
Graduate with the skills needed to thrive in a booming industry and help secure our digital future.
Career options are varied so you could work anywhere in the world as a:
- security analyst
- project manager
- security system manager
- security consultant
- security system developer or programmer
- information security auditor
- business continuity or IT security engineer.
Participation requirements
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.
Pathways
After successfully completing your graduate certificate, you can continue your study by using the credit points you’ve earned to enter the:
The learning experiences and assessment activities within this course may require students to have access to a range of technologies beyond a laptop or desktop computer. 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.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Develop specialised and essential knowledge of security needs for design and development of secure systems, processes, concepts, and technologies; to develop software systems, products and solutions that automate business processes at par with benchmarks and industry standards and based on evolving cyber security needs. |
| Communication | Communicate in a professional context to inform, explain and drive sustainable innovation through cyber security and to motivate and effect change, utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Identify, select and use digital technologies, platforms, frameworks, and tools from the field of cyber security to generate, manage, process and share digital resources. |
| Critical thinking | Evaluate and critically analyse information provided and their sources to inform decision making and evaluation of plans and solutions associated with the field of cyber security. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced cognitive, technical, and creative skills from cyber security to understand requirements and design, implement, operate, and evaluate solutions to real-world and ill-defined computing problems. |
| Self-management | Work independently to apply knowledge and skills in a professional manner to new situations 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. |
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security students must pass 4 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
- 4 credit points of core units
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.
Course structure
Core
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| SIT736 | Identity, Access Management and Physical Security |
| SIT719 | Analytics for Security and Privacy |
| SIT763 | Cyber Security Management |
| SIT716 | Computer Networks and Security |
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.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin.