Start Second Cohort Executive Master’s Programme Cyber Security

18 Jan 2016
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Author: HSD Foundation

On 14 January a second group of 23 professionals started the executive Master’s programme Cyber Security at the HSD Campus. The first cohort, which started in January 2015, has just finished a first inspiring year and entered their second year of this multidisciplinary academic programme.

The programme is organised under the responsibility of Leiden University in co-operation with the Cyber Security Academy The Hague (CSA) and accredited by the NVAO (Dutch-Flanders accreditation organisation). Upon successful completion, participants receive the diploma Master of Science (MSc) Cyber Security  from Leiden University.

Inspirational learning environment
Participants are higher educated professionals (computer scientists, lawyers, policy makers) with several years of professional experience in and affinity with issues related to cyber security. They work in various private and public organisations dealing with cyber security issues. Their role is to contribute to strengthening of digital defensibility of states, organisations, and individual citizens. By sharing their experience and knowledge with other professionals and with academic lecturers and lecturers from the professional field an inspirational learning environment has been created.

Public private partnership
This innovative programme is developed by Leiden University, Delft University of Technology, and The Hague University of Applied Sciences. They have combined their knowledge and expertise in education for professionals in the CSA. Private partners are actively involved in the programme.

CSA’s key lecturers come from Leiden University, Delft University of Technology, and The Hague University of Applied Sciences. Additionally, guest lecturers from private and public organisations add a wide range of experience in cyber security. These parties include: management consultants (VKA, KPN, Considerati, Deloitte), technical specialists (NFI, vanderVoort Cyber Security, Fox IT), as well as other experts (NCTV, HP,  OCOM , Gemeente Den Haag, TNO, Erasmus University, Nyenrode).

Multidisciplinary
The master’s programme teaches the participants to make connections between technical, legal, and social scientific aspects of cyber security, in order to come to effective and sustainable solutions for cyber risks and threats. This enables them to contribute effectively to sustainable strategies for digital defensibility and security of society as a whole, including organisations and citizens. Participants develop an integrated vision on cyber security.

Structure
The part time two-year programme consists of four semesters: conceptualisation, specialisation, electives, and a thesis. The first semester provides  a general introduction to cyber security. A common conceptualisation and basic knowledge is offered of cyberspace, cyber sub-domains, the use and abuse of the Internet, the actors in the (sub)domains, and their behaviour and the principles of cyber risk management. In the second semester participants can choose between a technical oriented track or a social scientific oriented track and in the third semester they can choose from several electives in the social science or technical field. Finally, in the fourth semester, they complete the master’s programme by writing a thesis based on an individual research project on cyber security. More information on the programme.

About the CSA
The Cyber Security Academy initiates and stimulates the development and supervises the implementation of innovative Master’s degree programmes, several shorter courses and tailored tracks in the field of cyber security. More information on the CSA.