Master of Cyber Security (Professional)
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Cyber Security (Professional) |
| Deakin course code | S735 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment |
| Campus | Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | The course map 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 | 093940G Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
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. | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Research information
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
In today's world, as everything turns digital, cyber threats are becoming an increasingly big problem for companies everywhere. The Master of Cyber Security (Professional) is designed to help you tackle these challenges head-on. You will learn how to protect our digital world and be ready to deal with cyber-attacks. This course covers both the technical and organisational aspects of cyber security, preparing you for the growing and dynamic field.
Immerse yourself in cutting-edge cyber security methodologies, get equipped with in-demand skills, and gain hands-on experience. You will build your confidence through the pursuit of one of three professional studies options: a team project, a professional placement, or a research project under the supervision of our internationally recognised research staff.
Ready to defend against the unseen threats lurking in our digital world?
Cybercrime and cyber terrorism pose substantial risks across organisations and government departments, in the context of technology, law and ethics. Throughout the course, you will access state-of-the-art software and hardware while exploring topics from system security, digital forensics, and analytics through to organisational security, governance, and policy skills. Elevate your understanding through practical learning opportunities designed to mirror real-world scenarios. With a focus on applied learning, you will hone your investigative prowess and develop the critical skills needed to combat cyber threats effectively.
Ideal for those who have completed an undergraduate degree in information technology or similar, the Master of Cyber Security (Professional) is a tailored pathway to cyber security mastery. Embrace a future-ready education that not only equips you with technical skills but also fosters a deep understanding of ethical and legal considerations vital in today's digital age.
Once you graduate, you might step into security roles in business, government, or law enforcement. Whether you aspire to be a security analyst, information security auditor, or security consultant, this course will prepare you for a diverse career. Combined with experience, you will be primed for leadership roles, including chief security officer, as you navigate the ever-evolving cyber landscape.
Embrace the challenge of safeguarding our digital frontier and emerge as a cyber security leader equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital world with confidence and expertise.
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 Master of Cyber Security (Professional) is professionally accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Career opportunities
The rapid growth of cybercrime has created unparalleled opportunities for those with cyber security expertise. The number of database & systems administrators and ICT security specialists is predicted to increase by 38.9% by November 2026*.
Cyber security is not just limited to the realm of IT. It exists in health, science, automotive, agriculture, and much more. Other areas might include government, military, banking, telecommunications, and retail. Wherever digital information is present, there is a need for specialists to combat cybercrime and cyber terrorism. After completing this degree, you will have the skills to carve out your niche in an ever-evolving landscape.
Career options are varied, with opportunities to work anywhere in the world as a:
- business continuity or IT security engineer
- information security auditor
- infrastructure specialist
- incident response analyst.
- security analyst
- security consultant
- security system manager
- security consultant
- security system developer or programmer
- security operations manager
- operations support analyst
- penetration tester
- security architect
- security operations centre (SOC) analyst.
*Jobs and Skills Australia, 2021 Employment projections for the five years to 2026.
Participation requirements
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.
Pathways
Pathways for students to enter the Master of Cyber Security (Professional) are as follows:
- Graduate Certificate of Information Technology (S578) followed by a 16 credit point Master of Cyber Security (Professional)
- Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security (S535) followed by a 12 credit point Master of Cyber Security (Professional).
Pathway options will depend on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security (S535) | |
| Graduate Diploma of Cyber Security (S635) | |
| Master of Cyber Security (S734) |
Research information
Students interested in pursuing a Higher Degree by Research, including a Masters by Research or PhD are encouraged to undertake the Professional Studies – Research Project pathway and consider using their electives to undertake additional research units (e.g. SIT724, SIT746 and/or SIT747). Students are encouraged to contact Student Central and speak to a course advisor if they are interested in pursuing this option.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Develop, evaluate, implement, and manage cyber security solutions for complex systems, organisations, platforms communication channels, and data, based on industry-accepted standards and best practice. Design, develop and implement advanced cyber systems and software, and associated policies and procedures for optimal use to withstand emerging attacks/threats in cyber space. Assess the role of cyber security in the context of modern organisations and society to add value. |
| Communication | Communicate in professional and other contexts to inform, explain and drive sustainable innovation through cyber security and to motivate and effect change by drawing upon advances in technology, future trends and industry standards, and by utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences including specialist and non-specialist clients, industry personnel and other stakeholders. |
| Digital literacy | Identify, evaluate, select and use advanced digital technologies, platforms, frameworks, and tools from the field of cyber security to generate, manage, process and share digital resources and justify digital tools selection to influence others. |
| Critical thinking | Questions assumptions and seeks to uncover inconsistencies and ambiguities in information and judgements, critically evaluates their sources and rationales, to inform and justify decision making in the field of cyber security. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of cyber security and apply expert, specialised cognitive, technical, and creative skills from cyber security to understand requirements and design, implement, operate, and evaluate solutions to complex real-world and ill-defined computing problems. |
| Self-management | Apply reflective practice and work independently to apply knowledge and skills in a professional manner to complex situations and ongoing learning in the field of cyber security with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility, and personal and professional accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner. |
| Teamwork | Work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary environments to achieve team goals, contributing specialist knowledge and skills from cyber security to advance the teams objectives, employing effective teamwork practices and principles to cultivate creative thinking, interpersonal adeptness, leadership skills, and handle challenging discussions, while excelling in diverse professional, social, and cultural scenarios. |
| Global citizenship | Engage in professional and ethical behaviour in the field of cyber security, with appreciation for the global context, and openly and respectfully collaborate with diverse communities and cultures. |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Cyber Security (Professional) students must pass 16 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
- Part A: Fundamental Cyber Security studies:
- 4 credit points of core units
- Part B: Mastery Cyber Security studies:
- 4 credit points of core units
- Part C: Course electives:
- 4 credit points of course elective units, level 7 SIT or MIS-coded (excluding SIT771, SIT772, SIT773 and SIT774)
- Part D: Professional studies:
- 4 credit points of professional studies.
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
Part A: Fundamental Cyber Security Studies
| 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 |
Part B: Mastery Cyber Security Studies
| SIT703 | Computer Forensics and Investigations |
| SIT704 | Ethical Hacking |
| SIT735 | Application and Communication Protocol Security |
| SIT738 | Secure Coding |
Part C: Course electives
4 level 7 SIT or MIS-coded elective units (4 credit points) (excluding SIT771, SIT772, SIT773 and SIT774)
Part D: Professional studies
Team Project
| SIT753 | Professional Practice in Information Technology |
| SIT764 | Team Project (A) - Project Management and Practices |
| SIT782 | Team Project (B) - Execution and Delivery |
1 level 7 SIT or MIS-coded elective unit (1 credit point)~
OR
Professional Practice
| STP710 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
| SIT753 | Professional Practice in Information Technology |
| SIT764 | Team Project (A) - Project Management and Practices |
| SIT791 | Professional Practice (2 credit points)* |
OR
Research Project^
| SIT753 | Professional Practice in Information Technology |
| SIT764 | Team Project (A) - Project Management and Practices |
Plus 2 credit points from the following:
| SIT723 | Research Techniques and Applications (2 credit points)+ |
| SIT792 | Minor Thesis (2 credit points)+ |
*Students undertaking this unit must have successfully completed STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point unit)
~ excluding SIT771, SIT772, SIT773 and SIT774
+ Entry is subject to specific unit entry requirements.
^Students interested in pursuing a Higher Degree by Research, including a Masters by Research or PhD are encouraged to undertake the Professional Studies – Research Project pathway and consider using their electives to undertake additional research units (e.g. SIT724, SIT746 and/or SIT747). Students are encouraged to contact Student Central and speak to a course advisor if they are interested in pursuing this option.
Work experience
You may have an opportunity to undertake a placement as part of your course. For more information, please visit deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil.
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
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.
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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.