Cyber Sec, Strat & Diplomacy - 8631
Program Summary
Faculty: UNSW Canberra at ADFA
Contact: UNSW Canberra, Student Administrative Services
Campus: UNSW Canberra at ADFA
Career: Postgraduate
Typical Duration: 1 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC For Award: 48
Award(s):
Master of Cyber Security
Strategy and Diplomacy
View program information for previous years
Program Description
The Master of Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy is a postgraduate award offered by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. It is designed for postgraduate scholars and professional managers with appropriate undergraduate qualifications and/or professional experience in the Social Sciences, Humanities or Information Sciences.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
The Master of Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy provides advanced interdisciplinary study into the political, military, diplomatic and higher level management aspects of issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact. It is intended for students in the diplomatic, defence, justice, public safety, regulatory, management and information sciences. Governments, enterprises, communities and civil society around the world are grappling with strategy and regulation for the new domain of cyberspace, at the same time as their security and other interests are being transformed by the rapid pace of information technology exploitation -- both for beneficial and for malicious purposes. It is widely accepted that the threats in cyber space are escalating while responses to mitigate them are not able to keep up. This program will provide students with the ability to understand the main policy, operational, ethical and informational challenges for security thrown up by the integration or penetration of advanced information technologies into all spheres of human activity.
At the conclusion of this program, students should have:
At the conclusion of this program, students should have:
- Acquired advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills on issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact and have an ability to apply these in a range of contexts;
- Developed advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills and applied them to issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact;
- The ability to communicate effectively to a range of audiences on issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact and be capable of independent and collaborative inquiry, working effectively with others;
- An awareness of a wide range of international and national issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact;
- Demonstrated the application of knowledge and skills with creativity and initiative in new situations in professional practice or for further learning on issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact;
- Demonstrated the application of knowledge and skills on issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact, with high level personal autonomy and accountability; and
- Demonstrated the application of knowledge and skills to plan and execute a substantial research-based project or piece of scholarship on issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact.
Program Structure
To qualify for the award of the degree of Master of Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy, students are required to complete courses totalling 48 UOC from those listed below, of which 24 UOC must come from four core courses, 12 UOC from the elective courses in the Strategy and Politics list below, and 12 UOC from elective courses in the Technology and Security list below.
Core Courses
- ZEIT8032 Info. Assurance Principles (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8441 Cyber-Security (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8455 Australian Cyber Diplomacy (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8457 Cyber Security in Asia (6 UOC)
Elective Courses
Students should complete no more than two electives or 12 UOC from each of the following two lists.
Strategy and Politics
- ZHSS8125 Strategic Communication (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8221 Development of the Art of War (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8400 Research Project: IPS SS (12 UOC)
- ZHSS8401 Research Project - IPS FY (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8403 Global Security (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8404 Leg & Mor Prob of Int Violence (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8407 Global Governance (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8409 Asia-Pacific Security (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8410 Australian Defence Policy (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8430 China's Security Policy (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8431 Comparative Defence Planning (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8435 Contemporary Strategy (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8438 The Justice of War (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8439 Reforming Repressive Regimes (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8440 Delinquent Organisations (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8442 Conflict Transformation (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8456 Australian Cyber Forces (6 UOC)
- ZHSS8458 Cyber Policy in China (6 UOC)
*The option of undertaking a research project worth 12 UOC (ZHSS8400) or 6 UOC (ZHSS8401) is available to Master's students who obtain a Credit average or better in four core courses and is subject to approval by the Postgraduate Coordinator. The project is recommended for those with a strong interest in pursuing original research in a particular area or intending to undertake a higher research qualification.
Technology and Security
- ZEIT8015 Cyber Operations (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8017 Cyber Crime and Cyber Security (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8018 Cyber Defence (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8019 Intrusion Analysis & Response (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8020 Computer Network Operations (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8024 Software Security Lifecycle (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8025 Reverse Engineering Malware (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8026 Network Security Operations (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8027 CICSS (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8028 Computer Forensics (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8029 NW&MobileDevForensics (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8115 Information Operations (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8136 Software Project Management (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8226 Systems Engineering Practice (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8230 Requirements Practice (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8302 Project Administration (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8303 Project Mgmt Body of Knowledge (6 UOC)
- ZEIT8403 Capability Option Analysis (6 UOC)
Academic Rules
1. Entry Requirements
To gain entry into the Masters of Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy by coursework program an applicant must:
To gain entry into the Masters of Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy by coursework program an applicant must:
- Completion of a Bachelor's degree with Honours with a major in a cognate discipline; or
- Completion of a Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline; or
- Completion of a 3 or 4-year Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline, which includes a major in a cognate discipline; and have completed at least 3-years full-time relevant professional experience; or
- Completion of a Bachelor degree in a NON-cognate discipline and have completed at least 4-years full-time relevant professional experience; or
- Completion of a 3 or 4-year Bachelor degree plus evidence of other academic qualifications and professional experience to be submitted to the relevant Program Authority to be acceptable grounds for admission into the degree; or
- No tertiary qualifications but evidence of professional experience forming a portfolio to be submitted to the relevant Program Authority to be acceptable grounds for admission into the degree
- Students who do not meet requirements in any of items 1-6 above may be admitted but be required to undertake the course ZBUS8210 Critical Analysis in Business as a precondition of entry to the program. This course will not be credited to the program for any advanced standing.
Cognate disciplines:
Humanities and Social Sciences, and Information Sciences.
Professional experience:
The evidence required for validation of professional experience will include a statement of service from the employer verifying the position, role and responsibilities, and duration of employment.
See UNSW Canberra pathway options for admission to the MCSSD program. (Link to UNSW Canberra website)
2. Recognition of Prior Learning
On applying for entry to the MCSSD program, a student may be eligible to apply for RPL for courses that have completed in a previous postgraduate program at UNSW or at another university. Applicants may be eligible for up to four courses (24 UOC or 50% of the requirements of the MCSSD). Applicants should consult the Program Coordinator for more information. Applicants would require substantiating evidence of prior learning (formal, informal or non-formal) where it can be demonstrated that the applicant has achieved equivalent learning outcomes to a AQF Level 8 qualification in a cognate discipline. This would include documents such as academic records, continuing professional education, professional registration and statements of service from the employer.
3. Enrolment and Progression
3.1 An application to enroll as a candidate for the degree shall be made online via myUNSW or on the prescribed form and lodged with Student Administrative Services by the prescribed deadline date.
3.2 A candidate for the degree must undertake courses and pass assessment as prescribed by UNSW.
3.3 The program of study shall total a minimum of 48 units of credit.
3.4 The Academic Standing of a candidate shall be reviewed at the end of each session. Movement between levels of academic standing is based on progress, measured by cumulative number of failures.
4. Fees
A candidate shall pay fees as determined by the UNSW Council.
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html
Faculty regulations for postgraduate study via coursework
These regulations apply to all postgraduate degrees and are to be used in conjunction with Academic Rules and Program Information. All rules in this Handbook apply to each student who enters a UNSW Canberra at ADFA postgraduate program in 2016. The rules remain applicable until the student exits their program, either by discontinuation or graduation. Students who entered a program in another year should consult the rules and regulations for that year.
Humanities and Social Sciences, and Information Sciences.
Professional experience:
The evidence required for validation of professional experience will include a statement of service from the employer verifying the position, role and responsibilities, and duration of employment.
See UNSW Canberra pathway options for admission to the MCSSD program. (Link to UNSW Canberra website)
2. Recognition of Prior Learning
On applying for entry to the MCSSD program, a student may be eligible to apply for RPL for courses that have completed in a previous postgraduate program at UNSW or at another university. Applicants may be eligible for up to four courses (24 UOC or 50% of the requirements of the MCSSD). Applicants should consult the Program Coordinator for more information. Applicants would require substantiating evidence of prior learning (formal, informal or non-formal) where it can be demonstrated that the applicant has achieved equivalent learning outcomes to a AQF Level 8 qualification in a cognate discipline. This would include documents such as academic records, continuing professional education, professional registration and statements of service from the employer.
3. Enrolment and Progression
3.1 An application to enroll as a candidate for the degree shall be made online via myUNSW or on the prescribed form and lodged with Student Administrative Services by the prescribed deadline date.
3.2 A candidate for the degree must undertake courses and pass assessment as prescribed by UNSW.
3.3 The program of study shall total a minimum of 48 units of credit.
3.4 The Academic Standing of a candidate shall be reviewed at the end of each session. Movement between levels of academic standing is based on progress, measured by cumulative number of failures.
4. Fees
A candidate shall pay fees as determined by the UNSW Council.
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html
Faculty regulations for postgraduate study via coursework
These regulations apply to all postgraduate degrees and are to be used in conjunction with Academic Rules and Program Information. All rules in this Handbook apply to each student who enters a UNSW Canberra at ADFA postgraduate program in 2016. The rules remain applicable until the student exits their program, either by discontinuation or graduation. Students who entered a program in another year should consult the rules and regulations for that year.
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: UNSW Fee Website.
Related Program(s)
8628 Cyber Security
8629 Cyber Security Operations
Study Levels
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