ISG: PG Certificate & Diploma

The Information Security Group - Postgraduate Certificate & Diploma in Information Security

The ISG runs a Diploma programme in information security. The following information is contained in the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in Information Security handbook.

Introduction

This web page/booklet describes a number of Information Security Training Courses that are offered individually and open for all to attend, each of which can count towards an academic qualification for those who choose to apply.

The electronic handling of information is one of the defining technologies of our age. Enormous volumes of information are routinely stored and transmitted worldwide - indeed, most aspects of our daily lives would come to a halt should the information infrastructure fail. However, with the benefits deriving from the ability to automatically manage so much information, come major threats to businesses, governments and individuals. These threats include possible fraud through information manipulation, deliberate damage to stored and transmitted information, and blackmail associated with the threat of damage. The field of Information Security, namely the study of countermeasures to these real and serious threats, has grown up very rapidly in recent years. The subject embraces a range of technologies such as cryptography, computer security, and fraud detection, and also includes the study of how security can best be managed.

This Certificate and Diploma are designed to introduce the technical, legal and commercial aspects of Information Security. Students of the course come from a variety of backgrounds, although the programme has been particularly designed for those in employment. The Certificate and Diploma are intended as a foundation for a professional career as well as for postgraduate research in Information Security. Graduates of the qualifications are expected to find employment in both industry and commerce as security experts, and the need for such experts is likely to be high for the foreseeable future.

Information Security at Royal Holloway

Research environment

The Information Security Group offers an active research environment with 10 1/2 established academic posts and a large number of research students, making it one of the largest academic security groups in the world. The Group regularly hosts international visitors and has close links to leading companies in the area of Information Security.

Queen's Anniversary Prize

Royal Holloway, University of London, was awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 1998 in recognition of the work of the ISG.

Programme Director

Professor Peter Wild
Information Security Group
Royal Holloway, University of London.

Contact and application details

John Austen
Information Security Group
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
Surrey TW20 0EX

General information about the Certificate and Diploma

Mode of study

Programme structure and course units

The Programme is offered for part-time study for a period of up to four years. Courses can be taken in any order and are ideally suited for professional staff who are already in employment in information security and related areas of business and commerce. It consists of a number of compulsory and optional taught courses, which are delivered by a team of experienced professional practitioners and University staff. Course attendance is followed by three short essays and an individual project dissertation carried out under the supervision of a member of the Royal Holloway Information Security Group. The taught component will normally be completed within two years of initial registration.

The precise programme of taught courses will depend to some extent on each student's professional experience and interests but will normally consist of the following:

	Course Title	Duration
Compulsory core course units
Either
	Managing Information Security	3 days
Or
	Information Security Management Principles (British Computer Society Course)	5 days
Plus
	Risk Assessment	2 days
	Cryptography	2 days
Plus - Optional Course Units
A selection to be made from courses within each of the following two areas: (At least one course from each and a minimum of eight days)
(1) Information Security Management and Awareness
	Policies & Projects ISO 17799	1 day
	ISO 17799 Certification & Audit	2 days
	Managing Security Awareness	1 day
	Cyber Crime	2 days
	Incident Response	1 day
	Computer Forensics	2 days
	Data Protection and Privacy	1 day
	Information Security Law	1 day
	Information Warfare	1 day
	Business Continuity Planning	2 days
(2) Systems and Technical Security
	Security - Application to Architecture	2 days
	Designing Security Architectures	2 days
	UNIX Security	2 days
	Smartcard Security	1 day
	Windows NT & 2000 Security	2 days
	Network Security	2 days
	Internet and Firewall Security	1 day
	Security in Telecomms and Remote Working	1 day
	Web Security	1 day
	Key Management	2 days
	Popular Cryptographic Algorithms	1 day
	PKI and Digital Signatures	1 day

N.B. Due to the dynamic nature of the subject and the rapid developments and changes in professional practice, the range and type of courses offered in any year may differ slightly from the above. Students will be notified before enrolment of any changes to the programme, and all such changes will be subject to the approval of the RHUL Programme Amendments Panel.

Progression, Award and Certificate Requirements

In order to progress to the independent (Diploma) project, students must fulfil the attendance and assessment requirements of the course units that make up the taught part of the programme.

Assessment of the course units is by coursework essays. Depending on the combination of the courses taken, students will either complete three short essays (max. 3000 words), covering the core and each option area. The essay on the core material will be submitted first and written comments will be provided by the examiners to provided formative feedback for the remaining two essays. In order to pass the taught component of the programme, students must achieve an average of at least 50% with not less than 40% in any individual essay.

Students who pass the taught component are eligible to be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate. However, this certificate will only be awarded to such students who do not complete the requirements for award of a Postgraduate Diploma.

The project is assessed on the basis of the dissertation and, where appropriate, on an evaluation of any relevant materials or artefacts, such as a computer program, which form an integral part of the project. The pass mark for the project is 50%. Students who pass both the taught component and the project will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Information Security.

The project is a compulsory component of the programme for the award of Postgraduate Diploma. It is an independent piece of work involving critical analysis and originality in the study of a specific problem in information security. The problem chosen may be of a theoretical nature, such as a critical practical application involving experimentation. Each student will be allocated a project supervisor from the Royal Holloway Information Security Group, and will be required to submit a dissertation, typically of a length between 50 and 100 pages.

Entry requirements

Course attendance is open to all. Entry to the academic programme may be made at any time by completing a simple application form to the University. Admission to the programme normally requires a second class honours degree together with current employment in Information Security or a related field. However, applications from students who possess appropriate professional or industrial experience and the motivation to succeed are strongly encouraged.

Course dates and venues

Course venues

Wheatsheaf Hotel,
London Road,
Virginia Water,
Surrey GU25 4QF.

Tel: 01344 842057

Free Parking, lunch and refreshments included. This delightful venue is 5 minutes from Royal Holloway & 10 minutes from junction 13 of the M25. (Accommodation available).

A picturesque Manor House, set in its own grounds, close to (but outside hearing distance of) Gatwick Airport, and 5 minutes from Junctiion 10A of the M23. The Highly Manor venue is for residential courses only.

Accommodation

Overnight accommodation is normally available at the Wheatsheaf Hotel (please ask for your Royal Holloway delegate rate) but should be booked in advance. A comprehensive list of other hotels as well as bed and breakfast facilities in the area is available from marcs@qcc.co.uk or John Austen (tel. 020 7554 9953).

Course venues

Accommodation

Course dates and reference numbers