Cyber Security (Honours) The Open University UK

Overview

The Cyber Security (Honours) BSc degree from The Open University UK develops your ability to critically analyse and apply digital solutions to security examination and digital forensic investigations. This includes an appreciation of tools, techniques and legal requirements. The degree programme, with its well-balanced theory and practice, has a strong technical focus.

You’ll develop your understanding of how networked cyber systems function and how they might be abused. The course centres around the relationship between technology, people, processes, the physical environment and cyber security. You’ll be able to pursue a wide array of career pathways within the public, private and charity sectors.

Key facts:

• Curriculum aligned with The Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK) and with the Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP) framework.
• The cyber security skills gap and shortage of cyber security professionals globally will increase your employability.
• Develop your understanding of how cyber security fits into business and commerce through applied learning.

• Demonstrate your knowledge and skills through a substantial cyber security-related independent project.

Career opportunities:

A study by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) indicates a severe shortage of cyber security skills is a national challenge and is also an indication of technology growth.

Cyber security graduates will be in demand beyond the traditional workplaces where general computing and IT graduates have sought employment. The extensive range of organisations employing cyber security graduates includes retail, financial services, leisure and gaming, legal and insurance sectors, telecommunications, broadcast media, digital media, manufacturing, transport, tourism, the public sector and healthcare.

Cyber security is top among the areas of high demand while other areas include mobile development, cloud computing and the management of Big Data.

Beyond pure technology roles, some graduates also enter careers in policing (cyber crime), insurance companies where digital forensic experts are in demand to support cyber insurance services, management consultancy firms or corporate roles, while others go into technical writing roles or work freelance.

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):

• cyber security apprentice
• cyber security manager
• IT infrastructure apprentice
• IT security administrator

• IT/digital security analyst
• network administrator
• network architect
• penetration tester