Computer Security - BSc (Hons) Degree

Often called Cyber Security, in this degree in Computer Security you will explore the technologies and practices designed to protect networks, computers and data from attack, damage or unauthorised access.

You will gain the skills and knowledge to understand, apply and critically evaluate the principles that underpin Computer Security. Through lectures, tutorials, technical labs and real-world case studies, you will learn how attacks work, the likely threats and vulnerabilities, and the approaches used by attackers.

Using industry-standard tools and techniques, you will learn how to conduct penetration testing and vulnerability analysis in business organisations to develop secure systems. You will understand and design frameworks that can be implemented across organisations to reduce risk, identify and mitigate vulnerability, and satisfy compliance obligations.

Course modules are integrated with professional certification contents such as Cisco Networking (CCNA) and Cyber Security, and Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH) to provide you with cutting-edge knowledge. You will have the option to undertake these certifications alongside your studies at no additional cost. As a Cardiff School of Technologies student, you will also have the opportunity to participate in industry-relevant challenges and competitions to test your skills and develop your abilities.

This course is one of only 5 computer security BSc programmes in the UK, and the only Bachelor's degree in Wales to be awarded provisional certification by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Full accreditation will be awarded when the first cohort graduates. Cardiff Met is also an Academic Partner of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec). This will provide an opportunity for students to qualify as a Student Member of the CIISec and start their journey to chartered information security professional status.

Career

Hardly a week goes by without news of the latest “cyber attack”, and yet there is an acute shortage of people with appropriate skills to deal with the problem. This is directly affecting the ability of organisations to prevent or deal with attacks. A quick search for “cyber security skills shortage” shows how serious the problem is, with the Independent reporting that only 31.6% of the required cyber security jobs are filled.

With a growing demand for skilled graduates, the Cardiff Met Computer Security course will prepare you for a challenging and lucrative career in the forefront of the defence of business and national UK infrastructure. Real world experience can be obtained as part of your study completing an optional sandwich year placement / industrial internship. Over the past few years, our students have been successful in obtaining placements in nationally competitive schemes with Microsoft, HP, General Electric and the Met Office.

On successful completion of this degree programme, there are also further taught postgraduate study options across computing and information systems here at Cardiff Met, as well as research and PhD programmes.