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Cyberspace Operations MSc / PgDip / PgCert - CSOps

Technology School
Technology
4 to 5 years part time
Shrivenham

More information

Key information

Level

Postgraduate

Keywords

About this course

This postgraduate course is delivered by Cranfield University on behalf of Technology School, Defence Academy. 

There is one intake per year: Mon 5 Oct 20.

The course will develop you to support manoeuvre in cyberspace, in contested operations and as part of integrated planning. It will focus on responses to serious present and emerging threats in the information domain.  You may also carry out one or more of the roles below:
  • technicians who wish to understand the operational and business context
  • procurement staff commissioning critical or sensitive projects
  • policy and planning staff interested in computer network and security operations
  • personnel interested in social media and associated concepts such as cyber mobilization
  • those charged with accreditation and assessment of security measures

Keeping courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules currently offered in connection with this MSc reflect the needs of our business however they may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons, depending on the year of entry. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.

What you will learn

PgCert
  • critically assess an organisation’s information security and information assurance policy, strategy and plans, with a view to improvement
  • critically appraise approaches to measuring risk
  • evaluate the opportunities and limitations afforded by emergent security technologies
  • develop security requirements in the context of acquisition
  • determine effective approaches to managing and exploiting social media and pervasive technologies
  • appraise the main elements and key management issues in the planning and conduct of cyberspace operations in the full spectrum context
  • assess theories of decision making and sense making and evaluate their utility in effects planning in the C2 context
  • assess cyber technical approaches that support military effect

PgDip
  • critically evaluate a range of approaches to understanding complex and changing cyber environments
  • appraise the techniques that can be used to design investigation, problem formulation and structuring, and interpretation of data
  • analyse and scope a complex cyber problem space with a view to action and improvement
  • judge ethics and ethicality at each stage of planning and activity
  • develop problem definition, analysis and problem solving skills to address challenges faced in cyber issues
  • argue coherently and demonstrate knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses
  • assess operational impact of proposed interventions

MSc
  • independently and confidently be able to apply appropriate theories, tools and/or techniques to a cyber related situation, or situations, as appropriate to the student’s named award
  • critically evaluate the published literature and synthesise the identified concepts
  • judge appropriate research approaches for conducting research and draw justifiable inferences from the data and analysis generated and present a self critical discussion of the results with conclusions
  • display practical ability in self directed research to produce a high quality thesis

How will this course help my career?

This qualification may help you to become one of the next generation of individuals who can support manoeuvres in cyberspace, in contested operations and as part of integrated planning.

Additionally, it provides you with both the theoretical and practical understanding of cyberspace within an organisation, thereby enabling you to become one of the next generation of managers.

Security and restrictions

You must be security cleared to secret.

Before you attend

You must have one of the following:
  • a first or second class honours degree
  • a third class degree with 3 years’ relevant experience 
  • pass degree with 5 years’ relevant experience 
  • higher national diploma/certificate with 7 years’ relevant experience 
On an exceptional basis, you may be accepted with 10 years’ relevant experience, where this experience is gained in information security, information operations, information risk or a related role. 

Can I attend this course?

This course is suitable for the following type(s) of applicant.
  • Military
  • MOD Civil Servants
Only British Military and Ministry of Defence civil servants.

How will I learn?

Blended Learning, Classroom, E-Learning

How will you be assessed?

There is a formative and summative assessment. You will be assessed through coursework, group practicals, presentations and an individual dissertation.