Cyber security is about how we develop secure computers and computer networks, to ensure that the data stored and transmitted through them is protected from unauthorised access or to combat digital security threats and hazards. As we conduct more of our social, consumer and business activities online, there is a corresponding increase in the demand for ICT professionals to manage our digital environment and economy.

Cyber security has been identified as one of the strategic priorities in Australia to meet the demands of law enforcement, national and state governments, defence, security and finance industries. Jobs of the future will be in all of these areas ensuring there is national capability to maintain and build our essential services and stop them from being disrupted, destroyed, or threatened, and that our personal information is not communicated, shared, visualised or analysed without our permission.

In the Cyber Security major you will study technical and political concepts of current topics of cyber security, such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, multimedia security, Internet of Things (IoT) security, obfuscation and reverse engineering. You will learn penetration testing skills for defensive purposes and be prepared for ethical hacking certification.

This degree

Computer scientists focus on the theoretical foundations and practical approaches to computation and its applications. They design methods and tools and write programs for computer applications. These applications can be in areas such as computer systems to control machinery, information management and big data, applications for mobile devices, stock market trend analysis, game design, visualisation of chemical reactions, neural network design, computational geometry for robot navigation, patient monitoring in hospitals, and much more.

You will be able to choose your major in your second year after studying a common core of subjects that links our computer science, IT and information systems degrees. Find your strengths and interests as you study the fundamentals of computer science and IT: programming, problem solving, network and communications, web technology, data management, system analysis, human–computer interaction, and project management. You’ll also complete a final-year capstone team project.

You can choose to study a double degree with Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Creative Arts or Business. These programs of study will provide you with a broad experience of technology using various industry products such as Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, SAP and Cisco.

What you will study

You will learn to identify and counteract malicious activity conducted by hackers using advanced analytic capabilities and techniques. Examples include key areas such as penetration testing and white hat/ethical hacking. You will learn to recommend appropriate mitigation strategies a business should implement to enhance its network security. You will study subjects in ethical hacking, system security, cryptography and secure applications, and corporate network security.

• Analyst 
• Animator 
• Computer or Software Engineer
• Database Administrator
• Electronics Engineer
• Games or App Developer 
• Investment Banker
• IT Consultant
• Network Architect or Engineer
• Programmer
• Security Engineer 
• Web Designer or Developer