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MSc in Information Security Program
About the Program
The M.Sc. in Information Security degree is awarded for candidates who successfully complete the taught courses and project requirements of the program. The program is targeted for students with various backgrounds such as graduates of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electronic engineering, Communication engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, or other pertinent specializations. Hence the program starts with common core courses that cover essential Information Security topics. Afterwards, there are three themes that allow the students to choose an area of specialisation. Subsequently, there are electives which cover extra topics to broaden the student’s knowledge in areas not covered in the core. Finally, the candidates work on a M.Sc. project on their chosen area. The project may be undertaken in several topics corresponding to the focus areas identified by the relevant supervisors. Alternatively, where applicable, students may propose project topics of their own or work on solving problems of their respective sponsoring organisations.
Program Goals
The goals of the program are:
- To provide graduates with deep knowledge and specialization in information security.
- To enable graduates to relate information security theory to practice.
- To equip graduates with design, problem solving, and research skills in information security.
- To prepare graduates for careers as information security professionals.
- To encourage graduates to pursue self-learning and personal development experiences.
- To produce graduates who will be able to contribute substantially to academia, industry, and the community.
Program Outcomes
A student graduating with a M.Sc. in Information Security will be able to:
- Demonstrate a high level of understanding and specialization in information security.
- Detect and defend against network and system security threats.
- Analyse and characterise existing security systems.
- Design an information security system, component, or process to meet desired needs.
- Use the techniques, skills and modern tools necessary for information security practice.
- Conduct independent investigation in the field of information security with rigour and discrimination.
- Communicate and write appropriately in the area of information security.
- Understand legal, regulatory and ethical issues and professional responsibility related to information security.
- Realize the impact of information security in a global and societal context.
- Recognize the need for, and engage in, life-long learning.
Career Opportunities
The M.Sc. in Information Security program is mainly targeted to meet the workforce need of Information Security professionals in the country and the region. The Program offers strong employment and career development prospects for graduates in the aforementioned areas and many others. The skills developed in graduates are particularly attractive to entities where information security is crucial such as financial institutions, telecom operators, law enforcement agencies, and software development houses
Admission Requirements
The university general graduate studies admission requirements apply for admission to the MSc in Information Security program.
Bachelor degrees relevant for admission to the program are Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Communication engineering, Computer engineering, Computer science, Information Technology, or Mathematics. Candidates with degrees in other pertinent specializations may also be considered. In such cases, candidates will be asked to submit course descriptions along with their transcripts.
Conditionally admitted students must produce by the end of the first semester of registration satisfactory evidence that they have the ability to carry out the program of work effectively.
This will be assessed as follows:
- The student must pass all first semester courses, with a minimum pass grade of C in every course, and achieve a semester GPA of at least 3.0.
- The student must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 79 iBT or its equivalent (e.g. a minimum IELTS score of 6.0) by the end of the first semester of registration.
If the student fails to satisfy the above conditions, then his/her registration will be terminated.
Duration of Study
The minimum period of study will be 1.5 years(3 regular semesters) from the date of first registration in the case of full-time registration and 2.5 years(5 regular semesters) from the date of first registration in the case of part-time registration.
The maximum period of study will be 2 years (4 regular semesters) from the date of first registration in the case of full-time registration and 3 years(6 regular semesters) from the date of first registration in the case of part-time registration. In exceptional cases, an extension of registration may be granted.
Program Structure
Program Components
The M.Sc. in Information Security is equivalent to 36 credit-hours. The program consists of two main components:
- Taught Courses Component: in this component the student is required to complete a program of advanced study in information security. This component is equivalent to 24 credit-hours and consists of 8 courses, with 3 credit-hours each. The 8 courses (24 credit-hours) are: 4 core courses (12 credit-hours), 2 theme courses (6 credit-hours) and 2 optional courses (6 credit-hours) selected from a list of electives. The taught courses component contributes 2/3 of the overall graduation grade point average.
- Project Component: in this component the student is required to carry out an independent project in information security. This component is equivalent to 12 credit-hours (4 courses) and as such contributes 1/3 of the overall graduation grade point average.
Number of Courses and Curricular Offerings
As already discussed, the taught courses component of the program is equivalent to 24 credit-hours and contributes 2/3 of the overall graduation grade point average. It consists of 8 courses, with 3 credit-hours each, as follows:
- 4 core courses (12 credit-hours). These are:
| Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
| ISEC614 | Mathematics for Information Security | 3 |
| ISEC 602 | Introduction to Cryptography | 3 |
| ISEC 615 | Computer and Network Security | 3 |
| ISEC601 | Information Security Management (for E-Business Security and Digital Forensics themes) | 3 |
| or | ||
| ISEC616 | Algebra for Cryptology
(for the Cryptology theme) | 3 |
- 2 theme courses (6 credit-hours) that belong to one of the following themes:
| Theme | Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
| E-Business Security | ISEC605 | Web and E-Business Security | 3 |
| ISEC606 | Software and Database Security | 3 | |
| Digital Forensics | ISEC607 | Advanced Operating Systems | 3 |
| ISEC608 | E-Forensics and Computer Crime | 3 | |
| Cryptology | ISEC611 | Advanced Cryptography | 3 |
| ISEC617 | Cryptanalysis | 3 |
- 2 optional courses (6 credit-hours) selected from the following list of electives:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| ISEC609 | Wireless Networks and Mobile Security | 3 |
| ISEC610 | Identity Management | 3 |
| ISEC612 | Trusted Computing | 3 |
| ISEC618 | Cryptographic Algorithm Design | 3 |
| ISEC619 | Information and Coding Theory | 3 |
| ISEC620 | Cryptographic Hardware and Embedding | 3 |
| ISEC621 | Hardware and System Architecture Security | 3 |
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Khalifa University of Science Technology & Research,
PO.Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE