TU Delft and the University of Twente will start the new joint master's specialization Cyber Security. The two-year master's degree, that will start in September 2015, is open to students with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related degree programme.
Importance of security
Cyber security is currently in the spotlight. The national security cluster The Hague Security Delta (HSD) had a successful National Cyber Security Week last week, with various activities drawing attention to developments in the field of digital security. The Hague Security Delta (HSD) is the largest security cluster in Europe. In this Dutch cluster - with key regional centres in The Hague, Twente and Brabant - companies, government bodies and research institutions are collaborating on innovations and knowledge development in the field of security. Its aim is more economic activity, more jobs and a safer world.
The importance of cyber security is becoming increasingly evident. More and more things in our society are inextricably linked by and with online applications, whether it's banking, travel, energy, telecommunications or healthcare. The consequences of cyber crime can cause considerable disruption in society. The demand for specialists in cyber security is thus constantly increasing. The master's specialization in cyber security offers students the opportunity to focus as a specialist in the field and as a researcher in the science.
Multidisciplinary specialization
The master's specialization in Cyber Security is a multidisciplinary specialization within the field of computer science, centred around a solid core with subjects such as Cyber Data Analytics and Software Security. However, a lot of attention is also paid to supporting disciplines such as law, economics, criminology and psychology. It is particularly this combination of soft and hard edges that makes the study unique and pre-eminently focused on the practice of cyber security.
The degree programme includes a special summer school in which students are challenged to find creative solutions for problems from the practice of the companies and government bodies that are involved. Due to the great flexibility in the design of this specialization, students have considerable influence on the exact composition of their Cyber Security master's programme.
Job opportunities
Cyber security graduates have good job prospects, both in the public and private sectors. They can work, for example, in the security industry as a consultant, or find a job with the national police High Tech Crime Unit, or end up with research institutes such as TNO or universities. Employment prospects after the degree programme remain very good in the coming years.
More information about the content of the master's specialization in Cyber Security and conditions for enrolment can be found on the website of the 4TU.Federation (before: 3TU).
