• » Bachelor of Science in Computing with Computer Security and Digital Forensics

    Programme Title  Bachelor of Science in Computing with Computer Security and Digital Forensics
    CAO Code  LY737
    LYIT internal code  LY_KCSDF_D
    Duration  3 Years ab initio
    Standard Code Places:  36
    National Framework Level  7
    Award Type  Major
    Awarding Body  LYIT, under Delegated Authority from HETAC
    Is this Programme for Me?
    Did you know that if your PC has a broadband connection it is being probed by unauthorised users many times a day? Did you that your computer is quite possibly a "zombie" machine awaiting activation for some nefarious purpose? Or that deleting files and history logs on your machine is a very poor way to hide your tracks, and that a trained forensics professional can easily recover this data? Or that identity theft is no longer just in the realms of science fiction?
    Computer Security is about securing computer systems against all types of unauthorised access. However, no matter how secure a computer systems is it will still have vulnerabilities. Digital Forensics is about detecting intruders, analysing what they have done to your computer system, tracking and identifying the intruder and creating a portfolio of evidence about the intruders activities to assist with a successful prosecution. This course teaches student the skills, methods and techniques used in Computer Security and Digital Forensics. Our aim is to provide the Irish computer industry with high quality experts in this rapidly growing field of computing.
    Our aim is to provide the Irish computer industry with high quality experts in this rapidly growing field of computing.

    For a description of a degree in computer security and digital forensics see the following YouTube video: BSc Computer Forensics & Security - University of Derby This video describes a BSc course at the University of Derby but (except for the reference to the placement year) it gives a pretty good overview of our computer security and digital forensics BSc. Also see Scams, spam, spies and me for an insight into the job of a person working in the computer security industry.
    For Testimonials from a graduate of the course follow this link.
    For some general information about why you might consider a career in computing: Careers Evenings and Computers .
    Minimum Academic Entry Requirements
    Grade D3 or higher in at least five ordinary level subjects at Leaving Certificate, including Mathematics and either.
    • FETAC applicants click FETAC
    • Applicants presenting non-Irish exams as a basis for entry, please check the IOTCEF listing to search for the entry relevant to your country
    • Applicants who are interested in taking selected modules only from this programme and/or those interested in studying this programme in a part-time mode, click Part-time Study
    Course Structure
    The B.Sc. is a three year taught programme in computing, which focuses on core computing skills plus topics applicable to the computer security and digital forensics. Its aim is to provide students who participate in it with the range of both theoretical and practical skills required for them to participate fully in a strong and vibrant computing industry with a particular emphasis on computer security and digital forensics. In addition graduates from this course will be able to do a planned one-year add-on Honours BSc in Computer Security and Digital Forensics.
    What will I have to study?
    Year/SemesterModulesMandatory/
    Elective    		No of creditsClass hours per week
     1/1  Introduction to OO Programming I Mandatory  5  5
     Communications Mandatory  5  4
     Discrete Mathematics Mandatory  5  4
     Student Development Mandatory  5  4
     General Computing Mandatory  5  4
     Computer Applications Mandatory  5  4
     1/2  Introduction to OO Programming II Mandatory  5  5
     Problem Solving with Robotics Mandatory  5  3
     Mathematics for Cryptography Mandatory  5  4
     Computer Architecture Mandatory  5  4
     Packet Networks 1 Mandatory  5  4
     Computer Crime Mandatory  5  4
     2/3  Object Oriented Programming Mandatory  5  5
     Requirements Elicitation & Specification Mandatory  5  4
     Database Technology Mandatory  5  4
     Operating Systems Mandatory  5  4
     Packet Networks 2 Mandatory  5  4
     Network Security and Cryptography Mandatory  5  4
     2/4  OO GUI Programming Mandatory  5  4
     Structured Query Language (SQL) Mandatory  5  4
     Network Programming 1 Mandatory  5  4
     Server Systems Administration Mandatory  5  4
     Security Standards and Policies Mandatory  5  4
     Digital Forensics 1 Mandatory  5  4
     3/5  Software Implementation Mandatory  5  4
     Object Oriented Analysis & Design Mandatory  5  4
     Research Methods Mandatory  5  4
     Securing Servers and Databases Mandatory  5  4
     Digital Forensics 2 Mandatory  5  4
     Security Threats and Countermeasures Mandatory  5  4
     3/6  Algorithms & Data Structures Mandatory  5  4
     Project Management Mandatory  5  4
     Team Project Mandatory  5  4
     Cryptography and Cryptographic Protocols Mandatory  5  4
     The Law of Evidence Mandatory  5  4
     Applied Security and Digital Forensics Mandatory  5  4
    Are there follow-up Programmes Available?
    Progression to a planned one-year programme (which is currently being developed) leading to a Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree in Computer Security and Digital Forensics will be available internally at LYIT.
    On completion of this programme graduates may go on to study for their Honours Degree at other ITs and Universities in Ireland and abroad. Progression internationally to second cycle (i.e. 'Bologna Masters') degree programmes.
    Progression internationally to some second cycle (e.g. 'Bologna Masters') degree programmes is possible.
    Career Opportunities
    Current forecasts about the future of the computing industry in Ireland are excellent. It is projected that students who enter third level colleges this year are likely to find there are more professional computing jobs available when they graduate than there are computing graduates to fill them.
    During the past decade, Ireland has gained increasing recognition as Europe’s premier location for software development. Since the 1980s, most leading US software vendors, including Microsoft, Oracle, Google, Facebook and Symantec, have based their European operations centres in Ireland. The country has also become the number one site for software development in Europe. All the big players such as Microsoft, Google, EBay, Symantec and Amazon are now based in Ireland.
    Alongside the big international players Ireland also has a thriving software development industry that has been created in Ireland by Irish computer graduates. It comprises of over 600 companies, about 250 of which have significant levels of overseas sales. Ireland has now overtaken the USA as the biggest exporter of software in the world. 60% of all software sold in Europe originates in Ireland.
    In addition to the national demand for computing graduates there are several large computing companies in the Northwest such as Pramerica which is based in Letterkenny, Northbrook which has operations in Derry and Strabane and SITA which is owned by the air transport industry and has recently announced a major jobs expansion.
    Worldwide there are about 1.5 million people working as computer security professionals and employment in this area is growing at approximately 9% per year and industry projections are that this rate of growth will continue or improve in the future.
    Typical employers in the computer security field include:
    • Companies running enterprise computer networks;
    • The payment card industry;
    • Companies involved in e-commerce;
    • Financial services companies;
    • Academic institutions;
    • Government departments;
    • Internet service providers.
    Each of these service providers have distinct security needs which require different solutions to meet their needs.
    Thus graduates in this field require not only a technical background in general computing but also specialist knowledge of the differing security needs of different types of businesses, the primary technical solutions available to meet these needs, the primary methods of attack on computer systems, how to plan for such attacks both in terms of defense and damage control, how to detect intruders and how to gather evidence to identify the intruders, track their actions and present evidence detailing their activities.
    For an idea of what computing might look like in the future see the following video by Microsoft on YouTube: Microsoft Future of Computing or see Microsoft's Future Vision 2019 You can be part of it.
    For the latest update on employment in the IT Sector see 2,500 Unfilled Jobs in Irish Tech Sector.
    Also see the following report on employment and salaries in the IT industry in 2010-2011: Jobs and Salaries in IT.
    For an independent view on employment in the IT Security Industry see the latest Global Information Security Workforce Study on the following link: workforcestudy. If you review a number of the studies available on this site you will see the trend towards continuing and significant worldwide expansion in this area of activity indicating the availability of interesting, attractive and well-paid employment opportunities into the future.
    This link is to an article from Silicon Republic about employment in the computer security industry: Skills deficit leaving IT security jobs unfilled.
    This link is to an October 2011 article which says that Information Security is the Key Skill of the Future
    For articles from 2012 which you might find helpful see:
    High-tech sector better for jobs than traditional areas, says IDA
    Increase in demand for IT professionals at the end of 2011 - report
    State ignoring tech skills gap at its peril
    This course begins in September each year. How to Apply
    If you would like to learn more about computing attend our Summer Computing Camp .
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
    • Contact Thomas Dowling, Head of Department of Computing, Letterkenny Institute of Technology by
    • E- Mail: thomas.dowling@lyit.ie
    • Telephone: (074) 918 6304