NCI Course Details

Cybersecurity is an essential need for a modern society in which information technology and services pervade every aspect of our lives. Cybersecurity has the fastest growth rate among all areas of IT, with the labour market encountering a severe workforce shortage in this field.

The aim of this programme is to provide learners with essential expert technical knowledge, competence and skills of the most important technical concepts of cybersecurity and how they are applied in areas such as device, network, cloud, web and application security.

The course is technical and practical in nature, uniquely embedded in industry, and develops in-depth expertise of core technical topics within the cybersecurity area. The programme emphasises the development of technical and research skills in the cybersecurity area through analysis, investigation, requirements elicitation, problem solving, and teamwork. In addition, emphasis is placed on the study of the latest appropriate technology and techniques necessary for the cultivation of advanced investigative skills.

This course is ideal for ICT professionals or graduates with an honours degree in computing or in a cognate area (STEM) who wish to develop a career as a cybersecurity professional; to take a leading technical or managerial role; to progress faster in their employment or to apply the knowledge in their current role. Candidates who do not hold a computing degree and are currently working in the IT sector may be considered, based on relevant academic qualifications or extensive work experience.

As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:

• Critically assess and evaluate ethical, legal, privacy, sustainable, and governance issues associated with the management of data assets in the cybersecurity domain.
• Communicate effectively complex and advanced cybersecurity concepts to a range of audiences in both written and verbal media.
• Apply advanced security knowledge and utilise practical skills and technologies to design and implement cybersecurity solutions that address business and technical problems.
• Make decisions and address security requirements through analytical thinking, communication, and interaction.
• Analyse, identify, and document measures to address vulnerabilities, risks, weaknesses, and other safety aspects within a given cybersecurity context.
• Identify knowledge gaps and undertake self-learning to acquire new knowledge and meet the requirements of the rapidly developing and expanding cybersecurity industry.
• Conduct independent research in the cybersecurity area and formulate and implement novel ideas by applying the latest research methodologies and industry practices.

Several reports indicate shortage of skills and strong demand for cybersecurity professionals. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs identified cybersecurity as a high-growth area that requires significant support for skills development. The State of the Cybersecurity Sector in Ireland 2022 Report indicates that there are almost 500 companies offering cybersecurity services or have employees in internal cybersecurity roles, and 83% of companies expect to grow their cybersecurity team over the next 12 months. This field has the fastest growth rate; following roles: information security analyst, secure application developer, cybersecurity tester, risk analyst/consultant, cyber incident responder, cloud security analyst, security researcher, etc.

Core Modules:

• Network Security and Penetration Testing
• Security Fundamentals
• Data Governance, Ethics and Sustainability
• Cloud Architectures and Security
• Cryptography and Blockchain
• AI/ML in Cybersecurity
• Business Resilience and Incident Management

Elective Modules

• Secure Web Development
• Forensics and eDiscovery
• Secure Application Development
• Malware Analysis

Note that there are dependencies between secure development electives. To study Secure Application Development in semester 2, students must have studied Secure Web Development in semester 1. However, all students can elect to study Malware Analysis in semester 2.

Research Elective

• Practicum OR
• Internship

Elective modules are subject to availability and a minimum number of students required to run a module.

Assessment

The course will be assessed with a blend of continuous assessments and/or project work and/ or exams. This varies between modules but typically assessment is 40% continuous assessment and 60% project or exam.

For more information on the modules taught on this course view our module descriptors.

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is awarded by QQI at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Students who successfully complete this course may progress to a major award at level 10 on the NFQ. Students may also elect to exit early with a Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Cybersecurity at level 9.

An honours (level 8) primary degree in computing or a cognate area with a 2.2 award or higher. Cognate area means a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree that also has taught programming/application development related modules. Candidates are expected to have programming ability, which can be demonstrated through transcripts, recognised certifications, and/ or relevant work experience. An assessment and/or interview may be conducted to ascertain suitability, if necessary, for candidates who do not meet the normal academic requirements.

The College operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme meaning applicants who do not meet the normal academic requirements may be considered based on relevant work and other experience. This may be assessed using a portfolio of learning, demonstration of work produced, and an interview. The programming ability of the applicant will also be assessed.

Non-English speaking applicants must demonstrate fluency in the English language as demonstrated by an IELTS academic score of at least 6.0 or equivalent. Visit our English Language Requirements page for further information.

National College of Ireland has implemented a Bring Your Own Device policy for all courses. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a portable computer (laptop/notebook) with a substantial hardware configuration.

The recommended configuration is as follows:

Processor:

• Intel 11th Gen or newer, Core i3 / i5 /i7 or Ultra 3 / 5 /7
  Or
• AMD 5000 Series or newer, Rzyen 3 / 5 /7

Random Access Memory (RAM):
16GB or greater

Storage:
SSD (Solid State Drive) 256GB or greater

Wireless Card:
802.11 n/ac/ax capability

Recommended Operating Systems:
Windows 11
Later Version of MAC OS should also be fine.
Chromebook’s are not recommended.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their computer is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights. NCI cannot provide support for these personal devices.

Student Laptop Loan Scheme

A Laptop Loan Scheme is available for eligible students to assist them in completing their chosen course.

Two evenings per week 18.00 - 22.00 and every second Saturdays.

Please note that in some instances exams may take place in the daytime, evening, and/or at weekends.

Blended - Livestream with some on-campus stream classes, scheduled in advance.

See the MSc in Cybersecurity course brochure for an explanation of the learning methods.

This course runs over 2 years; 4 semesters with a final internship/practicum.

Fees

Full course fee: €3,875 per year
Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet grant: €725 per year
Subsidised course fee: €3,150* per year

Subsidised fees are only available to eligible applicants*.

*Funding Eligibility

Applicants must be working in a private or commercial semi-state organisation registered in the Republic of Ireland (Business, Consultant, Freelancer) to avail of the grant-aided fees. As a government-funded training network, ICT Skillnet can only support those meeting these criteria.

Applicants who do not meet ICT Skillnet's funding criteria may in some cases be able to apply and pay the full fee per year if there are available places. This includes public sector, unemployed and those in charitable organisations. Contact ICT Skillnet for more information.

This programme starting in January 2025 is part-funded by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet.

Part-funded fees are only available for eligible candidates working in private or commercial semi-state organisations in the Republic of Ireland. If you are interested in applying, please submit your CV on the ICT Skillnet website.

The deadline to apply for this course is 29th November 2024. 

Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet is co-funded by Skillnet Ireland and network companies. Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.