The 30-point postgraduate module addresses global computing concerns over information security, including threats, physical and environmental security, security architecture and design, intrusion prevention, virtual private networks and information security risk management.
The OU says it will provide computer networking professionals with highly valued commercial qualifications. The university is working with industry and education to address the current shortage of skilled IT professionals, which poses a threat to IT security.
The OU is a Cisco Academy – part of the global networking education programme operated by networking equipment market leader Cisco Systems. Cisco certifications are highly regarded in the networking industry. Network security will prepare students to take the CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Associate) Security certification and provide a foundation for preparing for the ISC2 Certified Information Systems Professional (CISSP) certification.
It is a compulsory module in the OU's Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Advanced Networking and an optional module in a number of other postgraduate computing qualifications.
Andrew Smith, Lecturer on the OU's Cisco Certified Networking Associate and Professional (CCNA/CCNP) programmes, said: “Successful completion of Network security will open up career opportunities in infrastructure and network security, systems security management and advanced networking – with recent news stories about hacking, these areas should be a priority for all businesses and private network users.”
The first presentation starts on 5 November.
Useful links
- Network security (T828)
- OU news release
- Postgraduate computing courses
- Undergraduate computing courses
- Contest addresses shortage of cyber security professionals
Photo: Thinkstock
