Study Guide

Descriptions

Study objectives:

Cyber Security education is a working life-oriented, Master’s programme (90 cr) aimed at Bachelors of Business Administration, who want to deepen their knowledge and expertise in ICT systems and cyber security in information management.

In Cyber Security education, your specialized level of expertise will expand, giving you new perspectives on applying industry practices in business. You will learn to anticipate changes in the operating environment and be able to create an overall picture of the needs for change in operations and implement the necessary development measures. In the education, you will become familiar with key challenges affecting your organization's cyber security, such as managing cyber security risks and planning and implementing technical implementations. At the same time, linking the education and learning tasks as well as the development project (Master´s thesis) to your work tasks enables the development of the functions of the employer organization.

The primary tuition language is Finnish, but some of the courses are conducted in English. The operating environment is international and many courses and projects are also attended by the students of the English degree programmes and exchange students.

Active learning methods, which require the student to take responsibility for his / her studies, are applied. The studies include a variety of theoretical and laboratory work in the contact days, as well as online studies, exercises, projects, and internships as distance learning. Interaction and communication skills develop e.g. in group work with the research team. Studies from other Master’s programmes can also be flexibly incorporated into the student’s curriculum.

The planned duration of the studies is two (2) years and the studies are planned to be completed alongside work. The programme is built on mixed-mode studies and there are, on average, two contact days a month. The studies emphasize cooperative learning and teamwork.

Structure of studies:

The extent of the Master’s degree in Cyber Security is 90 ECTS and the duration is two years. The degree title is a Master of Business Administration

Studies consist of
• advanced studies (core competence) 40 ECTS
• elective studies (complementary competence) 20 ECTS
• Master’s thesis 30 ECTS

Advanced studies consist of methodological studies and professional studies extending the student’s previous studies. The themes of the advanced studies are:
- Cyber security risk management and leadership, on the basis of which you can develop the cyber security of the organization holistically.
- Cyber security testing, where you have the opportunity to learn about the perspective of the cyber attacker and how to protect your systems.
- Cyber security in information networks, which develops your skills to secure information networks and systems.

Many Master’s of Business Administration, at some point in their careers, work as independent entrepreneurs or as responsible managers or experts in companies. Therefore, business competence and project management courses from the other TUAS Master’s programmes in business are also included in the studies to support the student’s business expertise.

The thesis is implemented as a development project with a clear research focus and a close connection to the practical work. The thesis is mostly carried out as a development or research work in the student's organisation. If a student does not have a development task based on actual training needs or does not have an employment relationship, Turku University of Applied Sciences research groups offer subjects suitable for the thesis. In Cyber security, research group studies are carried out in the projects of the Wireless Communications and Cybersecurity Research Group.

Internationalization:

The student’s needs and the requirements of his/her work determine how the student develops his/her international competence. An international perspective can be linked with the thesis, for example by participating in an international conference or seminar in the field. An international perspective also contributes to the development of language skills. A significant part of the source material for studies and learning assignments comes from international academic and professional sources.

Qualification:

The Master's degree awarded by a university of applied sciences is a university degree that gives the same eligibility for public positions as a Master’s degree awarded by a university.

Career opportunities:

The education provides the student with a wide range of skills, especially in the design, implementation, and management of project tasks related to cyber security. The student also gets the ability to work in demanding management tasks in cyber security projects, or in expert and development tasks in companies in various fields or in the public sector. The surveys conducted by the Union of Professional Business Graduates in Finland show that the degree has an impact on career and job development. The studies are designed to enhance the individual's ability to develop himself/herself in a constantly changing environment of security. Studies are also beneficial for the employer, as learning tasks can be applied to the development of one's own work and workplace. The degree strengthens the possibilities for looking for more challenging work assignments, increasing knowledge and skills in project management and business expertise as well as confidence in networking.

Postgraduate study opportunities:

A Master’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences provides eligibility for further academic studies (Licentiate, Doctor) as well as for applying for professional teacher education. However, the receiving faculty always determines its own admission criteria and may require e.g. supplementary studies. Their purpose is to ensure that the student's starting level meets the requirements specified for academic research.

Co-operation with other parties:

The Cyber Security Programme is planned and implemented together with working life partners. The working life connection involves primarily the student, the student's workplace, and the degree programme. The interaction between the students working in different positions plays an important role in the development of professional skills and the creation of collaborative networks.

The most important element of the Master’s studies is the Master’s thesis, which is a development task that serves the working life. The thesis develops the student's professional skills and competence and serves the development needs of working life. Several local and international partners are also involved in research and development activities.

Within the framework of flexible studies, the student can participate, for example, in the courses organised by the University of Turku or Åbo Akademi University and include them in his/her degree. The student can also take advantage of CampusOnline, which offers the selection of joint online courses by Finnish universities of applied sciences.

Research focus:

Turku University of Applied Sciences' Cyber Security studies and research, development, and innovation activities focus on telecommunications and information security in particular. Laboratories and experts in this field of expertise are at the student’s disposal, especially in professional studies, as well as, for example, thesis mentors and supervisors.

Objective

After completing the programme, the student is able to:
• identify and model Cyber Security threats
• create and implement Cyber Security policy based on the risk management principles and risk management as well as put it into operation
• organize and manage a Cyber Security risk assessment
• recognize and model Cyber Security threats
-detect vulnerabilities from information systems
-protect ICT systems and networks from cyber threats
-utilize cryptography and public key infrastructure
-identify and manage cyber threats related to outsourcing
-manage privacy issues in business

Development

Studies include a variety of theoretical and laboratory work on contact teaching days, as well as online studies, exercises, projects, and internships as distance learning.

Further information

The objectives for skill levels in a master’s degree are based on the legislation concerning universities of applied sciences and the European Qualification Framework (EQF). The level corresponding to a master’s degree is level 7. The study evaluation criteria are described in the implementation plan of each course. Criteria are varying depending on different objectives, contents, and implementation models.