New cyber security degree to boost SA skills

The University of Adelaide has launched the latest degree in a suite of defence-related courses to prepare students for one of the world’s largest, most diverse and technologically advanced industries.

Launched by Premier the Honourable Steven Marshall, the new Master of Cyber Security is a two-year advanced degree which will equip students to lead cutting-edge cyber security programs – with majors available in Cyber Security Management and Secure Software Development – for governments, law enforcement agencies, companies and NGOs.

The University also offers new Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate degrees in Cyber Security, and includes Cyber majors within its undergraduate degrees.

The suite of degrees is the latest in the University of Adelaide’s diverse cyber and defence-related offerings, including post-graduate studies in Marine Engineering, Data Science, Machine Learning, Defence Systems Engineering. The University also offers a Master of Marine Engineering jointly with the leading French University ENSTA Bretagne, which sees students spending 6 months in France with award of a degree from both Institutions. Recent students have also undertaken internships with Naval Group in France as a part of the Joint degree, opening pathways to join Australia’s Future Submarine project.

Premier Steven Marshall said the degree will ensure young South Australians are skilled to take advantage of the incredible opportunities being presented by the state’s emerging industries.

“South Australia is seeing rapid growth across the defence, space and cyber sectors, and it’s critical we have university graduates who are ready to take on the jobs being created,” said the Premier.

“The new Master of Cyber Security will ensure we stop the brain drain we’ve seen in recent years, keep our young people here, to grow these industries and strengthen our economy.”

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen AO said: “There’s no doubt that cybersecurity is one of the world’s great challenges and the University of Adelaide is committed to understanding and responding effectively to the vulnerabilities produced by our reliance on the cyber domain.

“Our people are leading advances in digital technologies, and the advances made won’t just be applied to the defence industry. Those technologies will also help us secure our financial systems, our transport networks, our power grids, and our social communications.

“In our strategic plan, Future Making, we’ve made it clear we will be pursuing growth in research and education that aligns us with industry and community need.

“Defence, cyber and space is one of our top priorities and is a priority for the future of South Australia. Our new Master of Cyber Security is evidence of this with the University of Adelaide helping to skill the workforce of the future.”

Professor Anton Middelberg, Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences said: “The University of Adelaide is ranked in the Top 50 globally for Computer Science and Engineering, just behind Imperial College London and ahead of the Australian National University. This new degree makes our leading research expertise available to help launch South Australians into the digital jobs of the future.

“With this degree you will lead innovation in areas including visual and situational awareness systems, communications and networking, radar and electronic systems and financial enterprise security.

“Our new Masters in Cybersecurity is yet another example of how the University of Adelaide is making the future for South Australia by inspiriting our students with research-led education.”

/University Release. View in full here.