Computer Networking and Cyber Security with Work ExperienceMSc

Cyber Security Management

This module focuses on various aspects of Cybersecurity Management and deals mainly with the protection of information assets over the cyber space by concerted measures.

This module aims to provide students with an appreciation of the benefits Cybersecurity Management provides within a business environment and over cyber space. This includes the choice and application of appropriate risk assessment and risk control techniques, the understanding of security standards & procedures, coupled with the application of cybersecurity technology & security measures in a business setting.

Cybercrime and Cyber Security

This module provides a broad introduction to cybercrime and cyber security evolution. The module examines the relationship between advances in Internet-based and digital technologies, and their criminal exploitation within cyberspace. It examines a wide range of cyber threats, attacks and risks, and the strategies employed to mitigate these, including the laws that are in place to protect and prevent online crimes/cybercrimes.

The module provides essential coverage of the principles and concepts underpinning cybercrime and cyber security, maintaining focus on the identification, examinations and assessment of the key threats, attacks and risks, and in areas related to legal, ethical, social and professional issues.

MSc Project

The module provides students with the experience of planning and bringing to fruition a major piece of individual work. Also, the module aims to encourage and reward individual inventiveness and application of effort through working on research or company/local government projects. The project is an exercise that may take a variety of forms depending on the nature of the project and the subject area. Students will be encouraged to carry out their projects for local companies or government departments.

The objectives of the module are:
• To develop the ability to produce detailed specification relevant to the problem of investigation.
• To manage the project by confining the problem within the constraints of time and available resources.
• To effectively research the background material on the topic using a variety of sources and to develop ability to conduct critical analysis and draw conclusions.
• To apply and/or extend the knowledge acquired in the taught core modules to a new area of application or investigation.
• To use relevant tools and techniques for designing, testing, analysing, and critical evaluation.
• To demonstrate the originality in the application of new knowledge and skills.
• To effectively communicate the work to others by verbal and documentation media.
• To raise awareness in potential business development opportunities in an area pertinent to the topic.

Work Experience

• The aim of the work experience period is to provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in the field of computing and related areas. The work experience period is seen by the course team as an essential vehicle for consolidation of knowledge and skills gained from the formal scheduled teaching element of the course This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake work experience in the Computing and IT industry at postgraduate level. The work experience spans two semesters and is underpinned by the taught element of the course in order to further enhance students’ skills relevant to their world of work and their career aspirations.
• This module is MANDATORY to all students studying MSc Computer Networking & Cyber Security with Work Experience

• This Work Experience may take one or a combination of the following:
•
• Students will be encouraged to find their own work placements in the public
• and private sector in the first instance.
•
• Students may be placed in suitable employment at the university and will be
• required to apply for work experience at the university.
•
• Students may be placed in suitable employment in the voluntary sector
•
• The World of Work (WoW) Agency in the School of Computing may find
• suitable projects for the students.
•
• Students may undertake a WoWbiz project which would typically entail an
• individual student or a team of students working on a real project which
• has been specified by a business
•
• Students will be prepared for work experience over a 6-week period. The actual work experience will cover a period of 6 months followed by an appraisal, critical reflection and review period of 2 weeks.
•
The work experience forms an integral part of the degree and will be assessed formally by the academic supervisor. It is an important part of the student's education that they spend an appropriate time in work with a view to establishing good professional practice that will enrich their learning and prepare them for the world of work.
•
• Students will have the work experience approved, before they take up the opportunity. It is essential that students are made aware that both the work experience and the relevant “health and safety checklist” where applicable need to be approved before starting.
• Support and advice will be given to students by their academic supervisor. The academic supervisor will be able to identify appropriate forms of work experience, consult a local employers’ database for prospective work experience and direct students to the careers team at Student Services for further help and advice in seeking employment.

• To ensure students on Tier 4 (General)/ Student visas are able to benefit from enhanced learning through work placements, the following must be followed to remain compliant with the Home Office regulations on work placements and not endanger their visas to study in the UK.
•
• Work placements as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are those placements which are an integral and assessed part of the course.
•
• Work placements must be reported to UKVI before they start and the dates and placement details cannot be changed without prior approval from the module leader, the Work Based Learning team and the International Support and Compliance Team.
•
• Students holding Tier 4 (General)/ Student visas must:
• Ensure the placement is agreed by the module leader as well as the Work Based Learning team before starting the placement.
• Provide all relevant paperwork and placement details to the Work Based Learning team before starting the placement
• Start the placement in the term the module is registered. If this needs to be changed because a placement is not available, this must be communicated to the Work Based Learning team
• Ensure weekly, signed timesheets are provided to the Work Based Learning team for all external placements
• Ensure they communicate any changes to the placement immediately to the module leader, Work Based Learning team and the International Support and Compliance Team.
• Direct any questions about work placements to visa.compliance@londonmet.ac.uk

Introduction to Networks

This module introduces the architectures, models, protocols, and networking elements that connect users, devices, applications and data through the Internet and across modern computer networks - including IP addressing and Ethernet fundamentals. By the end of the course, students can build simple local area networks (LAN) that integrate IP addressing schemes, foundational network security, and perform basic configurations for routers and switches.
Student will:
• Explain network technologies.
• Explain how devices access local and remote network resources.
• Describe router hardware.
• Explain how switching operates in a small to medium-sized business network.
• Design an IP addressing scheme to provide network connectivity for a small to medium-sized business network.
• Configure initial settings on a network device.
• Implement basic network connectivity between devices.

Network Routing Protocols

This module tackles all issues important in the design, implementation, and configuration and troubleshooting of routing protocols in computer networks. Students learn basic concepts of routing algorithms and associated protocols. They then develop advanced skills in the deployment of individual protocols as well as advanced topics, such as route redistribution, route filtering, and migration to the latest Internet Protocol, IPv6. It includes aspects such as the Hierarchical Network Model, IP v4 and 6, Advanced routing protocols including Interior Gateway Protocols such as EIGRP capabilities and attributes and single and multi-area OSPF as well as the Exterior Gateway Protocol, BGP.It also introduces route filtering and path control to provide optimal and secure path selection in a complex computer network. Upon successfully completion of this module student should be able to sit for CCNP Route industry certification subject to satisfying relevant pre-requisite (CCNA).

Switched Networks

Switching Routing and Wireless Essentials

This course focuses on switching technologies and router operations that support small-to-medium business networks and includes wireless local area networks (WLAN) and security concepts. Students learn key switching and routing concepts. They can perform basic network configuration and troubleshooting, identify and mitigate LAN security threats, and configure and secure a basic WLAN. covering switching, routing and wireless concepts and configurations. The material is utilising resources by our London Met Cisco Networking Academy and extends the theory by putting this into practice using Cisco switching and routing hardware as well as network-simulation environments. By the end of this course, you will be able to configure advanced functionality in routers and switches. You will also be able to perform basic troubleshooting of these components. Using security best practices, you will troubleshoot and resolve common protocol issues in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks.

Digital Forensics

This module addresses the growing demand from police forces, security agencies and commercial organisations for skilled professionals in this developing area. It covers such topics: digital crime activities and their prosecution, digital forensics & digital evidence, digital forensics process tools, and the legal and regulatory issues.

The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge of preservation and extraction of relevant digital evidence from mainstream digital equipment, including computers, computer networks (including the cyber space/Internet), and other digital devices in appropriate procedures, tools and techniques. The students will be able to expand their knowledge of how computers operate and communicate as well as issues related to networking and web technologies to develop the skills required to be able to use computers as a crime investigative tool.

Enterprise Networking Security and Automation

Large enterprises depend heavily on the smooth operation of their network infrastructures. This course describes the architectures and considerations related to designing, securing, operating, and troubleshooting enterprise networks. It covers wide area network (WAN) technologies and quality of service (QoS) mechanisms used for secure remote access along with the introduction of software-defined networking, virtualization, and automation concepts that support the digitalization of networks. Students gain skills to configure and troubleshoot enterprise networks, and learn to identify and protect against cybersecurity threats. They are introduced to network management tools and learn key concepts of software-defined networking, including controller-based architectures and how application programming interfaces (APIs) enable network automation

Hardening Network Infrastructure

This module is delivered in two main parts:
1. CCNA Security:
The first part is based on the CCNA Security course, part of the Cisco Networking Academy Programme. It introduces core security concepts and skills essential for installing, troubleshooting, and monitoring network devices to ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. This curriculum is designed for individuals looking to enhance their CCNA-level skills and meet the growing demand for network security professionals. It prepares students for entry-level security roles and the globally recognised Cisco CCNA Security certification. CCNA Security is a hands-on, career-focused course that blends online and classroom learning, emphasising practical experience, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Students should have a foundation in CCNA-level networking concepts and basic PC and Internet navigation skills.

2. Security Controls:
The second part focuses on Security Controls, including tools and techniques to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical assets and data. This section covers regulations, compliance, and best practices for protecting critical resources, with a focus on NewGen Firewall technology. Students are introduced to auditing and evaluation tools to assess and validate a network's security posture. They will also explore network threats, vulnerabilities, and the baseline security and configuration features required to secure network devices.

Together, these two parts provide a comprehensive understanding of network security, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the field.

Network Troubleshooting

The module is highly practical and is designed to prepare students for real world networks. Troubleshooting Cisco IP Networks teaches students the knowledge and skills that will enable the troubleshooting of complex enterprise routed and switched networks.

Students use their skill to troubleshoot the communication on large-scale data networks using Cisco equipment and extend their research skills. Students will cover various network diagnostic commands, switch and VLAN troubleshooting, EIGRP, OSPF and BGP troubleshooting, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and routing issues, troubleshooting of wireless networks and various network security protocol related issues. A good trouble-shooter can save time and mitigate costs incurred by downtime.

Quantum Computing and Applications

Quantum computers are rapidly moving from the realm of the hypothetical to the position that they could be extensively deployed in the next 20 years. If technological development continues in the way it has in recent years these novel devices will have a huge impact across almost all realms of computer science, cryptography and information security as a consequence of the significant speed up in search algorithms and processing.

The deployment of quantum computers offers significant opportunities but also threats – 21st century cybersecurity relies on cryptographic algorithms developed in the 20th century that may no longer be as robust as we need them to be and data may already be being harvested in the hope of future decryption.

On the positive side, quantum technology offers routes for secure key distribution and post quantum standards are already being developed that attempt to ensure continued security via the mathematics of lattices and of error correcting codes. The deployment of these is likely to be a major area of employment in cybersecurity in coming years.

Security Auditing and Penetration Testing