Why Study/Key Benefits

The Graduate Diploma of Cyber Security is designed to develop advanced cyber security knowledge and practical skills in areas including system security, penetration testing, incident response, security management, reverse engineering and ethical hacking.

Key benefits include:

• Development of network security proficiency.
• Ability to identify, diagnose and prevent security risks.
• Exposure to penetration testing and offensive security concepts.
• Development of skills relevant to incident response and security management.
• Opportunities to study areas such as reverse engineering and ethical hacking.
• Part of Swinburne's nested Master of Cyber Security structure, allowing eligible students already enrolled in the master's pathway to receive the Graduate Diploma as an exit award.
• The qualification can support progression to the Master of Cyber Security, subject to the applicable course requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Graduate Diploma is the second stage of the nested Master of Cyber Security.

The structure shown by Swinburne is:

Graduate Certificate stage:

• 8 core units
• 100 credit points

Additional Graduate Diploma study:

• Technology Innovation Research and Project — COS70008 — 25 credit points
• Operating System Cyber Security — CYB80002
• Offensive Security Engineering — CYB80003
• One elective from the listed elective options

The current Graduate Diploma page lists the following elective options:

• Big Data — COS80023 — 12.5 credit points
• Internship Project — ICT80004 — 12.5 credit points
• Research Paper — ICT80007 — 12.5 credit points
• Minor Thesis — ICT80014 — 25 credit points
• Secure Networks — TNE80006 — 12.5 credit points

The page also indicates a choice involving the cyber security specialisation/core study. Students should confirm the exact study plan applicable to their enrolled Master of Cyber Security course with Swinburne before selecting units.

The preceding Graduate Certificate stage currently includes areas such as:

• Creating Web Applications
• Technology Design Project
• Programming Principles and Practices
• Internet Security
• Advanced Threats in AI and Data Security
• Cyber Security Fundamentals and Practices
• Network Administration
• Networks and Switching

Disciplines/Specialisations

Primary discipline:

• Cyber Security

Cyber security study areas include:

• System security
• Network security
• Internet security
• Penetration testing
• Offensive security
• Incident response
• Security management
• Reverse engineering
• Ethical hacking
• Operating system security
• Secure networks
• Cyber security research and projects

Programme Highlights

• Postgraduate cyber security qualification.
• Exit award within the Master of Cyber Security.
• 150 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• International study configuration: 1 year full-time.
• Focus on practical and contemporary cyber security skills.
• Coverage of system security, penetration testing, incident response and ethical hacking.
• Elective options including Big Data, Internship Project, Research Paper, Minor Thesis and Secure Networks.
• Progression pathway within the nested Master of Cyber Security.
• Swinburne's broader Master of Cyber Security is professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies career areas and roles associated with the Cyber Security qualification including:

• Security Manager
• Reverse Engineer
• Penetration Tester
• Ethical Hacker

The programme's subject areas also develop knowledge relevant to:

• Network security
• Incident response
• Security risk identification and diagnosis
• Security management
• Operating-system security
• Offensive security
• Web and application security

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The most important current programme-specific update is that the Graduate Diploma of Cyber Security is an exit award only.

Swinburne explicitly states:

• No direct admission is available.
• Students should apply for the Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security or Master of Cyber Security.
• The Graduate Diploma forms the second stage of the nested Cyber Security suite.
• International students in Australia on a Student visa must study full-time and on campus.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500, where applicable.

For this qualification/nested study pathway, key requirements and conditions include:

• The student must be enrolled in an eligible course and have the required Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is required unless an exemption applies.
• Applicants must satisfy the Genuine Student requirement.
• Health and character requirements apply.
• Applicants aged 18 or over must meet the Australian Values Statement requirement.
• Applicants must demonstrate the required financial capacity where requested.