Protect society from the growing threat of cybercrime by studying Australia’s only combined laws and cyber security degree. Through Deakin’s Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Cyber Security, you can explore roles in both fields or use your dual expertise to become an in-demand cyber lawyer, capable of handling the complex issues of our evolving digital world.

Over 6 million Australians were victims of cybercrime in 2017.* What if you had the power to make a difference?

Cybercrime is at an all-time high and it’s not just everyday consumers who are facing the threat. Government and businesses, big and small, are in need of professionals who can expose risks before they happen and provide legal protection for their digital operations.

This degree puts you in a position to answer the call. Graduate with two degrees – in two years fewer than if you studied each degree separately – and develop advanced skills in cyber security that perfectly complement legal acumen. 

You’ll study major areas of law including:

• legal practice and ethics
• constitutional, administrative, commercial and land law
• criminal procedure
• advanced legal problem-solving and persuasion.

As well as industry-relevant areas of cyber security such as:

• computer crime and digital forensics
• database and information management
• ethical hacking
• cyber security management.

The broad range of units on offer allows you to build a diverse set of skills, which opens the door to exciting career opportunities. For example, you could become an accomplished cyber lawyer, leaning on your deep understanding of privacy and criminal law to better protect the rights of your clients. Or, you could be on the front line of cybercrime, using your skills in system security to set up digital barriers between businesses and cyber threats.

Whichever path you choose, you’ll be well-served by the practical experience on offer throughout the course. Gain real-world legal experience at the renowned Deakin Law Clinic. The clinic is a teaching law firm that gives you the opportunity to access real clients under the supervision of qualified legal practitioners. Analyse complex legal problems and develop the drafting, communication and problem-solving skills required for a successful career in law. Better still, you’ll get hands-on with our specialised cyber security software that allows you to simulate and respond to real cyber attack scenarios. By practising your skills under pressure, you’ll feel confident when it’s time to perform in your job. You’ll also be able to leverage the extensive research, industry partnerships and state-of-the-art facilities of Deakin’s Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CCSRI). With research in areas from cyber analytics and artificial intelligence to organisational security and information warfare, you’ll have direct access to some of the most progressive cyber security content in the world.

Importantly, this course has the accreditations you need to take your career forward. Deakin’s Bachelor of Laws is a recognised pathway towards becoming a practising Australian lawyer. The Bachelor of Cyber Security is in the process of being professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) as part of this double degree.

Studying this combined degree means you’ll be well-placed to work in the field of law and cyber security, or in roles where both disciplines intersect. You’ll graduate with the diverse skills and practical experience required to thrive in roles including:

• business analyst
• business manager, company administrator or consultant
• corporate lawyer
• cyber security consultant
• national security adviser
• policy adviser for government departments or authorities such as the Attorney General's Department, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
• security analyst
• security systems manager or cryptographer.

Obtaining a law degree is your first step to entering the legal profession. Upon completion of your degree and the additional practical legal training, you’ll be qualified to work as a solicitor or barrister in all legal fields, including: 

• commercial law
• criminal law
• family law
• personal injury law
• public international and human rights law
• refugee law.