SLIIT introduces graduate diploma in cyber security by Curtin University

SLIIT has collaborated with long-standing academic partner Curtin University Australia, to provide students with an opportunity to obtain an internationally recognised Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security awarded by Curtin University leading to the MSc. in IT specialising in cyber security at SLIIT, marking yet another milestone in the institute’s portfolio of academic offerings.

Entry requirements for the program include a bachelors’ degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related discipline.

SLIIT President and CEO Prof. Lalith Gamage stated: “The internet is essential for communication, data storage, data transfer, online transactions, marketing, entertainment and education. The responsibility of protecting computer systems, the networks and online data facilities from cyber threats falls on Cyber Security Professionals.

“This involves information assurance where vulnerabilities are identified and security measures are implemented to avoid any attacks. As we are aware, Cybercrime involves frauds, stealing identities and intellectual property, violating privacy, hacking, hactivism, cyber espionage and cyber terrorism. In Sri Lanka, Cyber security professionals are able to assist the Government in ‘Cyber crime Investigations and Digital Forensics’ to prosecute cyber-crime offenders.”

He further stated that “A recent survey conducted by (ISC)2, the world’s largest non-profit information security professional body and administrators of the CISSP reveals that the global shortage of information security professionals has profoundly impacted the economy and is caused by a combination of business conditions, with executives not fully understanding the need for security, and an inability to locate sufficient qualified information security professionals.”

The report reveals that hactivism 43%, cyber-terrorism 44%, and hacking 56% are among the top concerns identified by respondents, yet more than half 56% feel their security organisations are short-staffed.

Many organisations (15%) are not able to estimate a time-frame on their ability to recover from an attack, even though service downtime is one of the highest priorities for nearly three-quarters of respondents. “It is this need and demand that we attempt to cater to by launching this unique program to produce Cyber Security Professionals.”

SLIIT Faculty of Computing Dean Dr. Malitha Wijesundara said: “The Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security is awarded by Curtin University which will provide a path way to the SLIIT MSc. in IT specialising in Cyber Security, which are both are conducted at SLIIT.

“During a time when cyber crime is on the rise globally, there is a vital need for skilled cyber security professionals to apply their knowledge to address these advanced and sophisticated cyber threats and infiltrations. The skilled professionals produced by this course will prove to be of great demand both locally and globally.

The program will be conducted by industry-leading experts and the course is designed to provide coverage of all the domains of the Common Body of Knowledge developed by the (ISC)2 and CISSP, which is the only universally recognized certification in the industry.  

Plans are currently in progress for SLIIT to introduce an undergraduate specialisation in Cyber Security during 2014. Amongst the invitees were The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team/Coordination Centre (Sri Lanka CERT/CC) COO Lal Dias, SLIIT Chairman Professor S. Karunaratne, Deans, Heads of departments, academic staff of SLIIT, and the lecture panel for the Cyber Security program.