Master of Information Systems Security
What is this course about?
The Master of Information Systems Security provides professionals in the IT industry with study in the design, implementation and management of secure computer networks and infrastructure. Preparation for the world’s leading IT Security industry certifications is included as an integral part of the course.
The Master of Information Systems Security prepares students for the challenging task of identifying and producing solutions to threats that endanger information system resources. Content from a range of IT industry certifications is included as an integral part of the course.
Why study this degree?
The Master of Information Systems Security features a unique blend of academic and industry-based content. As with all CSU's courses, the Master of Information Systems Security is designed and delivered with study flexibility in mind. Our students choose between full-time and part-time study options to fit in with work and lifestyle commitments.
You could choose to study one subject per session or, following consultation and approval from your Course Director, complete up to four subjects per session, allowing you to fast track your degree completion.
More reasons to study this degree
Find out where this course can take you
Industry streams
Students can tailor their qualification by choosing one of three highly recognised industry elective streams to complete. The subjects which comprise these streams contain content based on vendor and industry certification.
Browse the full list of available industry streams
Course structure
The Master of Information Systems Security consists of four core subjects, two restricted electives and an industry-based stream.
The Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Security consists of four subjects including two subjects chosen from the restricted list of CSU subjects offered in the Master of Information Systems Security and two subjects selected from one of the available industry-based elective streams.
More information about the course structure
Graduation requirements
To graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Security, students must satisfactorily complete 32 points, which includes the completion of 16 points of relevant industry stream subjects and 16 points of university subjects.
To graduate with the Master of Information Systems Security students must satisfactorily complete 96 points, which includes the completion of the relevant industry stream certificate (for which credit of 48 points is given).
Academic expectations
For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.
Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.
Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).
Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.
Why study this degree?
Flexible offering
This course is available by distance education only and is offered across a three session academic year with sessions commencing in February, July and November each year.
The Master of Information Systems Security has a minimum full-time duration of six sessions. However, actual duration is dependent on subject availability and the session of commencement.
The Master degree and Graduate Certificate make up an articulated set of courses, and credit is awarded in the Master degree for subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate.
Students may elect to exit from the Master degree after completion of four specified subjects and graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Security.
For more information about this course, visit the IT Masters website.
Industry streams
Students will choose one of the following three industry streams:
Stream A: Microsoft
Students in this specialisation will study content from a range of industry and vendor certifications, including CompTIA and Microsoft.
Stream B: Multiplatform
Students in this specialisation will study content from a range of industry and vendor certifications, including CompTIA and Cisco.
Stream C: Digital Forensic
Students in this specialisation will study content from a range of industry and vendor certifications, including EC-Council, CompTIA, and CAPM.
Career opportunities
As a graduate you will be qualified to find work in a number of different areas within the industry. Career options are broad and include the following:
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digital forensics specialist
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network administrator
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network engineer
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systems administrator
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security analyst
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security engineer
Credit / pathways
Master of Information Systems Security
Applicants who have already achieved the relevant industry certifications will be awarded up to 48 points (6 subjects) credit for the industry certificate subjects. Complete the IT Masters Eligibility Form to receive feedback on the level of credit you may be eligible for.
Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Security
Applicants who have already achieved the relevant industry certifications will be awarded up to 16 points (2 subjects) credit for the industry certification subjects. Complete the IT Masters Eligibility Form to receive feedback on the level of credit you may be eligible for.
To apply for credit, candidates are required to submit with their application for admission a certified transcript of industry certification results. Please note that no credit is available for university subjects (i.e. ITC coded subjects) in these courses, however it may be possible to substitute a different university subject where similar material has been previously studied. Please contact the Course Director for more information.
Master of Information Systems Security
The Master of Information Systems Security consists of four core subjects, an industry-based stream (48 points) and two restricted electives.
Core subjects
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
ITC593 Network Security
ITC595 Information Security
ITC596 IT Risk Management
Restricted electives
Two restricted electives from:
ITC505 Systems Development Project Management
ITC513 Wireless Networking Concepts
ITC514 Network and Security Administration
ITC516 Data Mining and Visualisation for Business Intelligence
ITC563 IT Management Issues
ITC597 Digital Forensics*
* Note that ITC597 Digital Forensic is a compulsory elective for the Digital Forensic Stream. It is a restricted elective for all other streams.
The industry elective streams are listed below. Some subjects which comprise these streams correspond to specific industry certifications from various vendors. It is necessary to pass the associated industry examinations to pass these subjects. Please note that the content of the industry subjects is dynamic and often updated by industry vendors as technology advances. It may not be viable for CSU to offer all industry subjects. Where this is the case, credits can be obtained by passing the associated industry certification exams.
The current list of subjects offered as credit only appears below in the summary for each industry stream. For the most up to date information on the status of all industry subjects, please go to www.itmasters.edu.au
Students will choose one of the following 3 industry streams:
- Stream A: Microsoft Security
- Stream B: Multiplatform Security
- Stream C: Digital Forensics
Stream A: Microsoft Security stream
Core Industry Subject (1 subject):
ITI581 Network Security Fundamentals
Industry Elective Subjects (choose 5)
ITE516 Hacking Countermeasures
ITE525 Cyber Law
ITI535 Network & Operating Systems Essentials
ITI536 Supporting a Network Infrastructure
ITI537 Implementing & Administering Network Directory Services
ITI538 Desktop Operating Systems
ITI539 Mail Server Implementation & Administration
ITI540 Enterprise Administration
ITI541 Configuring Application Platforms
ITI598 Implementing and Maintaining SQL Server
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Stream B: Multiplatform Security stream
Core Industry Subject (1 subject):
ITI581 Network Security Fundamentals
Industry Elective Subjects (choose 5)
ITE514 Professional Systems Security
ITE516 Hacking Countermeasures
ITE525 Cyber Law
ITI521 Interconnecting Network Devices
ITI535 Network & Operating Systems Essentials
ITI536 Supporting a Network Infrastructure
ITI537 Implementing & Administering Network Directory Services
ITI538 Desktop Operating Systems
ITI542 Securing Networks
ITI551 Virtual Private Network and Firewall Management I
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Stream C: Digital Forensics stream
Core Industry Subject(s) (3 subjects):
ITE512 Incident Response
ITE513 Forensic Investigation
ITE525 Cyber Law
Electives (choose 3)
ITE511 Digital Forensic Security Essentials
ITE514 Professional Systems Security
ITE515 Forensic Analysis
ITE516 Hacking Countermeasures
ITI551 Virtual Private Network and Firewall Management I
ITI581 Network Security Fundamentals
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI512 The Project Lifecycle
MGI513 Enterprise Project Management
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Exit with a Graduate Certificate
Students who have completed 32 points of the subjects in the Master degree will be eligible to graduate with the award Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Security if terminating their study prior to completion of the Master degree. The requirements of this Graduate Certificate are that students have successfully completed two subjects from the pool of CSU of subjects offered in the Master of Information Systems Security and two subjects selected from the same industry-based elective stream.
Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Security
The Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Security consists of four subjects (32 points) that satisfy the following conditions:
- Students must successfully complete two subjects from the pool of CSU subjects offered in the Master of Information Systems Security (see the Restricted List of CSU subjects below)
-
Students must complete two subjects selected from the same industry-based elective stream from those available in the Master of Information Systems Security. The available streams are:
- Microsoft Security stream
- Multiplatform Security stream
- Digital Forensics stream
Restricted List of CSU subjects
ITC505 Systems Development Project Management
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
ITC513 Wireless Networking Concepts
ITC514 Network and Security Administration
ITC516 Data Mining and Visualisation for Business Intelligence
ITC563 IT Management Issues
ITC593 Network Security
ITC595 Information Security
ITC596 IT Risk Management
ITC597 Digital Forensics
Industry-based Elective Streams:
Stream A: Microsoft Security stream
ITE516 Hacking Countermeasures
ITE525 Cyber Law
ITI535 Network & Operating Systems Essentials
ITI536 Supporting a Network Infrastructure
ITI537 Implementing & Administering Network Directory Services
ITI538 Desktop Operating Systems
ITI539 Mail Server Implementation & Administration
ITI540 Enterprise Administration
ITI541 Configuring Application Platforms
ITI581 Network Security Fundamentals
ITI598 Implementing and Maintaining SQL Server
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Stream B: Multiplatform Security stream
ITE514 Professional Systems Security
ITE516 Hacking Countermeasures
ITE525 Cyber Law
ITI521 Interconnecting Network Devices
ITI535 Network & Operating Systems Essentials
ITI536 Supporting a Network Infrastructure
ITI537 Implementing & Administering Network Directory Services
ITI538 Desktop Operating Systems
ITI542 Securing Networks
ITI551 Virtual Private Network and Firewall Management I
ITI581 Network Security Fundamentals
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Stream C: Digital Forensics stream
ITE511 Digital Forensic Security Essentials
ITE512 Incident Response
ITE513 Forensic Investigation
ITE514 Professional Systems Security
ITE515 Forensic Analysis
ITE516 Hacking Countermeasures
ITE525 Cyber Law
ITI551 Virtual Private Network and Firewall Management I
ITI581 Network Security Fundamentals
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI512 The Project Lifecycle
MGI513 Enterprise Project Management
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Enrolment pattern
Master of Information Systems Security
Students may commence the course in Calendar sessions 1, 2 or 3. Note: The enrolment pattern below is divided by calendar sessions for the various intakes. The recommended session enrolments appear under each Calendar session enrolment and are distinguished by session number. Each session number represents Calendar session 1 or 2 depending on the course commencement session. As an example, for a student who follows the enrolment pattern and who commences the course in Calendar Session 2, 2011, session 1 refers to Calendar session 2 2011, session 2 refers to Calendar session 3 2011, etc.
Calendar Session 1 intake (Microsoft/Multiplatform Streams)
Session 1
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 2
ITC595 Information Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 3
ITC593 Network Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 4
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 5
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 6
ITC596 IT Risk Management
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Calendar Session 1 intake (Digital Forensics Stream)
Session 1
ITC597 Digital Forensics
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 2
ITC595 Information Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 3
ITC593 Network Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 4
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 5
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 6
ITC596 IT Risk Management
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Calendar Session 2 intake (Microsoft/Multiplatform Streams)
Session 1
ITC595 Information Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 2
ITC593 Network Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 3
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 4
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 5
ITC596 IT Risk Management
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 6
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Calendar Session 2 intake (Digital Forensics Stream)
Session 1
ITC595 Information Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 2
ITC593 Network Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 3
ITC597 Digital Forensics
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 4
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 5
ITC596 IT Risk Management
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 6
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Calendar Session 3 intake (Microsoft/Multiplatform Streams)
Session 1
ITC593 Network Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 2
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 3
ITC595 Information Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 4
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 5
ITC596 IT Risk Management
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 6
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Calendar Session 3 intake (Digital Forensic Stream)
Session 1
ITC593 Network Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 2
ITC597 Digital Forensics
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 3
ITC595 Information Security
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 4
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 5
ITC596 IT Risk Management
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
Session 6
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
[ ] Industry Stream Subject
*Restricted electives are:
ITC505 Systems Development Project Management
ITC513 Wireless Networking Concepts
ITC514 Network and Security Administration
ITC516 Data Mining and Visualisation for Business Intelligence
ITC563 IT Management Issues
ITC566 Human Computer Usability
ITC597 Digital Forensics (Note: This is a core subject for the Digital Forensics stream)
Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Security
There is no prescribed enrolment pattern. Students may choose the order in which they undertake subjects depending on subject availability and the meeting of any prerequisites. Students must, however, enrol in at least two CSU subjects and choose two industry-based subjects from the same industry stream. Students are only permitted to enrol in subjects that are contained within the course structure of the Master of Information Systems Security.
Admission requirements
For entry to the Master of Information Systems Security or Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Security applicants are required to have an undergraduate computing degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution (or a qualification deemed to be equivalent). Applicants with work experience and/or other academic and/or professional qualifications acceptable to the University will be considered.
Internet access
CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.
The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.
Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.
English language proficiency
The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.
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Australian and New Zealand students
Apply online
Admission code: Master - OBTY
Graduate Certificate - OBHT
International students
Apply online
Admission code: Master - JBSS
Graduate Certificate - JBCT
Recruitment agent
Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.
More information:
Consider also:
- Graduate Certificate in Mobile Applications Development
- Master of Information Technology
- Master of Information Systems Security
- Master of Management (Information Technology)
- Master of Networking and Systems Administration
- Master of Systems Development
Follow on study:
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