The WMG Cyber Security Centre, at University of Warwick has just gained certification from GCHQ for its Cyber Security Management MSc course and its planned Cyber Security Engineering MSc. The certification is a government benchmark which ensures that students are being educated to the highest standards in cyber security.

These MSc programmes are designed for those wishing to develop a career as a cyber security professional, or to take a leading technical or managerial role in an organisation dependent upon technology in its business processes. Typically the students will be from a computer science or information technology education background or from Undergraduate courses with a significant component of either.

In 2010, the UK government announced a 650 million pound investment strategy into Cyber Security & declared that Cyber-Security had become a ‘tier 1’ priority alongside international terrorism and major national incidents. The UK is one of many governments around the world which recognise the serious nature of the threat that is emerging from the cyber-sphere.

The WMG Cyber Security Centre is only one of ten centres in the UK to gain certification and this was due to the Centre’s excellence in engaging with industry, the international experience of the Cyber Security Centre team and the quality of the course with its student support.

The successful universities who submitted their Master’s degrees for assessment all had to meet the rigorous assessment criteria which demand a well-defined and appropriate degree content, delivered to the highest standard.

Professor Carsten Maple, Director of Cyber Research and Professor of Cyber Systems Engineering at the WMG Cyber Security Centre said

“Our engagement with industry has a direct relevance to our teaching, so to be recognised by GCHQ for the quality of our research and teaching is excellent for the Cyber Security Centre. The Government’s UK Cyber Security Strategy highlights the need to build the UK’s cyber security knowledge, skills and capability, and we’re keen to support this by identifying and developing future talent through our education and research programmes.”

Chris Ensor, Deputy Director for the National Technical Authority for Information Assurance at GCHQ, said:

"As the National Technical Authority for Information Assurance, GCHQ recognises the critical role academia plays in developing the UK's skill and knowledge base. I am delighted that six more Master’s degrees in general cyber security have been certified. I'd encourage those who were not successful to explore how best to invest in order to be able to maximise chances of success in future calls."

For further information please contact:

Lisa Barwick, Head of Marketing and Communications, WMG, University of Warwick Tel: 024 76 524721 or 07824 540845 L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Policy,
University of Warwick
Tel UK: 024 76523708 office 07767 655860 mobile
Tel Overseas: +44 (0)24 76523708 office +44 (0)7767 655860 mobile/cell
Email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

PR200 PJD 2^nd July 2015