Security MSc by Research

With our Security research masters you can undertake your own security or privacy-related research project from a wide variety of interdisciplinary domains.

Why study the MSc Security by Research at Middlesex University?

Security is a huge challenge in computer science involving high-end technical challenges as well as an understanding and appreciation of the human aspects of systems. Nowadays, computer security is a cross cutting discipline ranging from cryptography via networks and programming, through to data science and the social sciences.

This research masters in Security allows students to work closely with one of our security experts to develop and carry out an in-depth research project of their own choice. The interdisciplinary study enables you to become an expert in a specific area of security and equip yourself with the skills and experience to advance a career in the security sector.

We currently have supervisors available in:

• Insider threats
• Cyber Security
• Cloud Security and Future Internet Security
• Networks and Operating systems
• Visualisation of Security related Data
• Multi-modal Biometrics
• Malware Analysis
• Financial Crime
• Digital Forensics
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Forensics
• Crypto-currencies
• Anonymity and Social Network Analysis
• Profiling
• Programming Language Based Security
• Assessment of Security using Reverse Engineering
• Penetration Testing
• Security and Trust
• Privacy and Human Behaviour
• Probabilistic Modelling
• Cryptography
• Security Protocols
• Verification and Analysis

What will you study on the MSc Security by Research?

This MSc by Research degree aims to bring together, in an interdisciplinary fashion, security and privacy-related activities from across the University. These may vary depending on your chosen subject, but there are common core activities in network security, security engineering, human aspects, visualisation, forensics, analysis and verification. These will work together to support applications-driven security scenarios.

To support the interdisciplinary nature of this programme, you will have a core activity supervisor (networks, security, verification, visualisation) as well as a supervisor specialising in your chosen application area.

We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we've learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning. Please regularly check this section of the course page for updates.

How is the MSc Security by Research taught?

This degree is an entirely research-based master's programme. The majority of your time will be spent working on your research project in the library, laboratories or elsewhere under the direction of your supervisors.

Alongside your independent study, you will also have tutorial lectures in key areas of security. You will have regular meetings with your supervisor to review progress and plan future activities. You may also spend brief periods at partner sites, for example where your project involves collaboration with industry.

Full-time students are expected to attend for an average of 35 hours per week and part-time students for an average of 12 hours per week.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on a final dissertation of approximately 30,000 words. Two independent examiners will be appointed who will read and evaluate the dissertation, following which you will be invited to make an oral defence of your work.

How can the MSc Security by Research support your career?

This degree is specifically designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills required to fulfil corporate security requirements and allow them to progress to the post of security analyst or security architect.

Security analysts are responsible for the security within company infrastructures. They work closely with IT, network administration and security services to explore and understand the security needs within an organisation and support it with adequate measures like enforcing new policies and implementing dedicated security training for staff. The security analyst is also the detective who finds attacks and finds way to prevent them or at least to bin the evidence for forensic purposes. A security analyst works hand in hand with a security architect who is the designer of security controls and their placement within the corporate infrastructure.