Information Security Group Activities and Research

Industry and Academia in HarmonyThe MSc in Information Security

Dr Chez Ciechanowicz

Provision of information security education

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MSc in Information Security

• World’s first Information Security MSc launched at RHUL in 1992

• Fundamental Requirements– Vocational (reflect industry best practice)– NOT a traditional academic research MSc

• Extensive consultation with leading industrialists, training managers and technicians

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MSc Information Security

• Diverse student backgrounds:– wide range of ages– many experienced in field– many from overseas

• Between 100 and 180 new students each year• In the region of 2000 graduates

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International Presence

• China• Germany• Greece• India• Japan • Korea

• Malaysia• Nigeria• Saudi Arabia• Scandinavia• Singapore• USA

Students from over 40 countries have taken one of our MSc degrees. Large numbers from outside the UK, including:

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MSc Syllabus

Core modulesSecurity Management

Cryptography and Security Mechanisms

Network Security

Computer Security

Security Technology

“Infrastructure Security”

OptionsCyber Security Economics and Security Advanced Cryptography

Smart card / Token Security

Software Security Digital Forensics

Penetration Testing Cyber Crime Database Security

Legal and Regulatory aspects

MSc Project Component

• Project component is student driven• An in-depth study of some security topic• Assessed by dissertation• Some projects conducted as internships/supervision by

industrialists• Projects can be practical or theoretical

Tracks Through the MSc

• Secure Digital Business• Cyber Crime• Cyber Security• Digital Forensics• Smartcards• Penetration Testing

Flexible Study Modes

• On Campus – full time (1 year)• On Campus – part time day release (2 years)• Block Mode started in 2006• CPD Mode (Continuing Professional Development)• “Mix-and-Match”

Studying by day release

• Campus course timetabled to suit day release students• Special tutorial sessions for day release students• Opportunity to share practical expertise with full time

students

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Studying by block mode

• For part time students that cannot get day release• Attend a whole MSc module in a concentrated 5 day block• Supported through RHUL’s Moodle virtual learning

environment• Delivery is on a two year cycle

Extracurricular training

• Foundstone course on web hacking• KPMG Ethical Hacking course• CISSP revision classes and exams• SANS course on forensics

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MSc industrial involvement

• Programme designed with input from Industry• Review of programme includes consultation with

Industry• Contribution to teaching by people from Industry• ISG Visiting professors from Industry• Maintain close links with alumni in Industry

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Certificate and Diploma in Information Security

• Courses taught by ISG through industrial partners (QCC Ltd)

• Can be run in partnership with international training organisations

• MSc level dissertation for the Diploma• Introduced in 1994• Over 60 students registered

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ISG Recognition 1998

Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education Citation

“This pioneering Group provides a unique national resource for the training of information security specialists and the development of highly secure communications and computer systems. It offers world-leading independent expertise in a field of crucial importance where trust and integrity are paramount.”

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ISG Recognition 2012

Royal Holloway, University of London has been recognised for its world class research in the field of cyber security by UK intelligence agencies GCHQ. The University is one of just eight institutions to receive Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) status.

The Centres of Excellence will benefit the UK by:– Enhancing the UK’s cyber knowledge base through original

research– Providing top quality graduates in the field of cyber security– Supporting GCHQ’s cyber defence mission– Driving up the level of innovation