Objectives of the Specialization:
The "Cybersecurity and Communications Networks" specialization aims to prepare students for the understanding, analysis and design of modern network infrastructures and communication systems, as well as the study and development of mechanisms for protecting networks, computing and information systems against dynamic cyber threats. The direction combines fundamental and modern principles of communication networks with advanced security and privacy practices, covering a wide range of topics such as, among others, advanced network architectures and protocols, network data analysis, management and optimization of wired and wireless communications performance, next-generation technologies, risk analysis and management, energy consumption and general resources in network environments, network and communications security, systems and applications, ethical hacking, cyber threat detection, applied cryptography, principles and methods of privacy protection and personal data protection. The teaching approach is reinforced through laboratory activities (e.g. cyber ranges, penetration testing, simulation and emulation in controlled environments) and research initiatives.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Design advanced network architectures and protocols
- Analyze network data
- Understand mechanisms for managing and optimizing the performance of wired and wireless communications
- Apply knowledge and techniques for detecting and managing cyber threats
- Utilize theoretical knowledge and software tools for the analysis and functional assessment of network systems in real and simulated environments
- Apply methods and tools for analyzing and managing cybersecurity risks
- Design and implement mechanisms for securing networks and communications, systems and applications
- Apply privacy-enhancing technologies
- Analyze business environments with regards to information security and privacy protection requirements for information management and communications technologies
Career Prospects:
The interdisciplinary approach of the sppeciialization responds to the technological and research requirements of the modern digital environment, preparing students for careers or postgraduate studies in the fields of communications, networks and information security applications in all aspects of the digital world.
Graduates of the specialization can be employed as:
- Security and privacy specifications analysts
- Risk analysts and consultants for compliance with information security and privacy requirements
- Executives in information security positions (e.g. Chief Information Security Manager, Cyber Incident Responder, Cybersecurity Auditor, Cybersecurity Risk Manager, Digital Forensics Investigator) in organizations and businesses.
- Design and architecture managers of communication networks and next-generation technologies (e.g. Network Architect, Network Automation Specialist, Telecommunications Solutions Designer) in organizations, businesses and infrastructure development projects.
- Network infrastructure implementation and technical support executives (e.g. Network Engineer, Wireless Network Engineer, Telecommunications Engineer) in organizations, businesses and telecommunications projects.
- Researchers in the fields of networks and communications (e.g. energy efficiency, performance analysis, simulations and emulations) in universities, research centers, doctoral programs or R&D departments of companies.
