3.1  Introduction

Recent developments in computing, network technologies, Internet, cloud technologies have made reliability and secure exchange of digital information vital to most human activities including banking, medicine, infrastructure management and elections. As the use of information technology expands, so are the potential consequences of cyber-attacks, and the need for skilled workforce to prevent and defend against them. Unfortunately, the pool of available talent to build and certify applications designed to withstand attacks, diagnose and prevent security intrusions is inadequate to meet the growing needs all over the world. Government agencies, Business Organizations, Industries and Military are scrambling to find qualified professionals to safeguard their systems, businesses and Infrastructures.

3.2  Philosophy

To evolve a broad strategy for human resource development that encompasses educational, cultural, social and political development such that graduates can possess the unique cyber security ability to protect digital assets, guard critical infrastructure, and business ecosystem amongst others.

3.3  Aim and Objectives

The programme aims to build capacity and develop human capital in the field of cyber security and to safeguard business transactions as well as corporate assets, nationally and globally. In other words, the Cyber Security programme is to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills required to protect people, computers, networks, programmes, data and other critical infrastructure from attack, damage or unauthorised access.

The objectives of the programme are to:

1. provide graduates with a broad and balanced foundational knowledge of cyber security;
2. equip graduates with the capacity to analyse cyber security threats and risks for organisations;
3. develop graduates on basic skills that would enable them to detect and prevent cyber-fraud;
4. equip graduates with the capacity to develop detective codes and supportive software agents to address cyber security threats;
5. equip graduates with digital forensic science techniques for the detection of cybercrimes;
6. equip graduates with knowledge of cryptography for the privacy of the information on computer systems;
7. prepare graduates for self-employment and job placement in government and industries; and
8. develop graduates for professional practice and commitment to lifelong learning.

The focus of this programme is to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to gather, analyse, develop and present evidence gained from computer systems, professionally, to understand the impact of cybercrime and events upon business and the public and to be able to identify and implement specific security practices, features and techniques to enhance the security of computer and computer-based systems.

The related fields are Computer Science, Software Engineering, Criminology, Forensic, Information Technology, Information Systems and Data Science. 

The following are possible areas of specialization: Cyber Security Analysis, Information System Security, Network Security, Digital Forensic Analysis, among others.