ماجستير العلوم في الأمن السيبراني

This course equips graduate students with the necessary skills and knowledge for engaging in research projects in the IT discipline, in general, and cybersecurity, in particular. The course covers common research approaches (observational, theoretical, and experimental) and the rapidly emerging Design Science Research (DSR) method. Issues around trust and reliability and legal, social, ethical, validity, and professional aspects of cybersecurity research are explored and critically evaluated.

This course advances a critical analysis of cybersecurity principles and practices. Topics include technical solutions, and ethical issues around computer security, network security, firewalls, cryptosystems, authentication, access control, public key infrastructures, Web security, and common attacks such as viruses, Trojans, worms, and memory exploits.

The course examines the roles of computer-based information systems, emphasizing privacy, equity, and ethics in personal and governmental data. It also covers professional responsibilities, best practices, and cybercrime within local and international legal contexts.

The course covers advanced network and Internet security. It discusses various network and Internet security threats and, based on recent research, presents techniques and solutions for achieving security. Topics include network attacks and defenses, network protocols, web security, and security of mobile devices. Important aspects of operating systems security are also covered.

This course provides an in-depth understanding of information security management, focusing on the development of an effective security program through the application of ISO/IEC 27001 standard. It includes the implementation of comprehensive contingency plans, detailed assessment of security risks, and the formulation of policies and security initiatives that align with organizational objectives as governed by top management. The course emphasizes practical application of industry standards, particularly ISO/IEC 27001, to implement necessary controls, prepare for ISMS audit, and evaluate the effectiveness of a security program using performance measurements.

This course explores the advanced techniques and methodologies required for conducting forensic investigations on smart digital devices, including smartphones, social robots, gaming consoles, drones, wearables, and smart embedded chips. Students will gain a deep understanding of data acquisition, analysis, and recovery from various smart devices, focusing on device-specific operating systems, network logs, internal and external memory. The course also addresses legal and ethical considerations, ensuring proper handling and presentation of digital evidence both in public and corporate crime investigations. Through hands-on labs and real-world case studies, students will develop practical skills in using forensic tools and reporting findings, preparing them for roles in cybercrime investigation and digital forensics.

This course explores the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, highlighting how AI can improve cybersecurity practices. Students will learn how to apply AI techniques to detect and prevent attacks, conduct malware analysis, and safeguard organizational assets. The course will also cover different attacks targeting AI systems and large languages models (LLMs), along with possible protection mechanisms that can mitigate their impacts. The course places a strong focus on hands-on labs, where students will engage in evaluating AI-powered solutions to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges.

The course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the aspects that drive cybercriminal behavior and the methods to understand, predict and prevent such behavior. By integrating principles from criminology, psychology, and cybersecurity, this course explores the motives, methods, and mindsets of individuals and groups engaging in cybercrime. Students will learn how to profile threat actors, victims, analyze criminal behavior, and predict potential attacks through behavioral insights and threat intelligence. The course covers a wide range of cybercrime typologies, including hacking, social engineering, insider threats, and cyberterrorism, and examines how behavioral analysis can enhance cybersecurity defenses. Through case studies, a hands-on project, and practical exercises, students will apply various behavioral analysis techniques to real-world cybercrime scenarios.

This course involves the conduct of research in the cyber security domain. Students are required to submit one to two original articles of a standard suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals or conferences based on research undertaken during the candidate's enrolment at Zayed University. This collection will also include a written plan as well as introductory and concluding documents that situate the paper(s) within the wider context of the research discipline. Through this unit, students will gain essential research skills to support an academic career.

This course will introduce students to the concepts, standards, and components of the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. It will provide students with an overview of the main trends and challenges in the Internet of Things, models and applications. The course will emphasize the implications of the Internet of Things applications and services. It will give both practical examples and general knowledge about the Internet of Things, architectures, models, applications. It will discuss future emerging wireless technologies and their applications in the context of digital transformation.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of both the theoretical and practical aspects of advanced database security and threat mitigation. Students will explore security models, data integrity, availability, performance, secure database design, authentication mechanisms, auditing, and how to identify, assess, and address threats in database environments. The course emphasizes practical implementation through case studies, hands-on labs on triggers, views, stored procedures, auditing, and modern features like virtual private databases, as well as real-world scenarios. The course also covers threat mitigation strategies, including the use of database firewalls, database patch management, and backup and disaster recovery plans.

This course delves into advanced malware detection, analysis, and counteraction for students with a cybersecurity background. It covers static and dynamic analysis, including reverse engineering, disassembly, and behavior monitoring in sandbox environments. Students will learn to dissect malware, identify payloads, understand C2 communications, and counter obfuscation tactics. The curriculum emphasizes memory forensics, binary reverse engineering, anti-debugging, and exploitation techniques. Hands-on labs and case studies featuring emerging threats will enable students to analyze malware, reconstruct attacks, and develop mitigation strategies. The course also explores AI/ML applications, zero-trust architectures, quantum computing risks, and evolving legal and ethical considerations, preparing students for threat intelligence and incident response roles.