Overview

The BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Forensic Computing at the University of Portsmouth develops knowledge and practical capability across digital security, computing systems, and forensic investigation. The course brings together technical computing with methods for identifying vulnerabilities, examining cyber incidents, and analysing digital evidence, providing a strong foundation for understanding how technology can be protected and investigated.

What You'll Learn

• Computer architecture, operating systems, networking, and internetworking principles

• Programming, databases, data engineering, and introductory artificial intelligence

• Core cyber security concepts, including security controls, vulnerability assessment, and incident management

• Ethical hacking techniques for identifying weaknesses in systems, networks, applications, and devices

• Digital forensics, including the preservation, examination, interpretation, and presentation of electronic evidence

• Cryptography and approaches to protecting systems against security threats

• Malware investigation and reverse engineering methods

• Security considerations for IT infrastructure and communication networks

• Cyber law, governance, and human rights, including legal issues surrounding cybercrime

• Practical investigation and problem-solving through laboratory, project, and research activities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply computing and programming principles to technical problems, evaluate the security of computer systems and networks, and identify potential weaknesses and appropriate defensive measures. They will be able to use established approaches and tools to investigate digital evidence, assess malware, and interpret findings within a forensic context. Students will also develop the ability to analyse cyber security challenges critically, communicate technical conclusions clearly, and apply ethical, legal, and professional considerations when addressing digital security and forensic computing problems.