Professionals based in industry who have interest in cybersecurity. The micro credential will prepare professionals for a rewarding career; for example, to take a role as a security manager, security engineer, security analyst, or IT security specialist.
Network Security
Overview
| Module Code | COMP47880 |
| Module Title | Network Security |
| Subject Area | Cybersecurity |
| Credits | 10 |
| NFQ | 9 |
| EFQ | 7 |
| Start Date | September 2025 |
| Duration | 12 Weeks |
| Time | Synchronous |
| Mode of Delivery | Blended |
| Course Leader | Assoc Professor Madhusanka Liyanage |
| Fee | €1800 |
| Application Deadline | September 2025 |
This micro-credential discusses the underlying the basic principles, methods, tools, and techniques used for network and communication security. Practical examples of security problems and principles for countermeasures are also discussed. In addition, the micro-credential will also survey modern and emerging cryptographic and other tools used to provide security and review how these tools are utilized in protocols and applications. Thus, this micro-credential focuses on providing in-depth knowledge on the field of network and communication security, with an emphasis on modern techniques used in the real world. In-depth knowledge about possible threats, security requirements, and countermeasures is important for the network security specialist to design secure and reliable future network systems.
On successful completion of this micro-credential, you will be able to:
- Obtain an extensive knowledge of both the principles and the practice of modern network and communication security.
- Understand the in-depth understanding of computer and wireless network concepts
- Understand the issues to be addressed by network security related to both computer and wireless networks
- Understand current issues with network security and the state-of-the-art attack detection and prevention mechanisms.
- Learn about the network security of practical applications (i.e., telecom networks, cloud computing, IoT) and secure network communications techniques used for these applications around the globe.
Learn about emerging network and communication security techniques (i.e., network softwarization, quantum computing, cloud-native technologies, AI, and Blockchain)
- The micro credential is divided into two parts.
In the first part, we review computer and wireless networks, including: - Internet/ Transport layer protocols, scalable routing, multicasting, Flow control, congestion control, routing
- Wireless Network Concepts/Cellular (LTE) and 5G Networks
- Local area networks/ Wireless LAN/
- Network Sotwarization Concepts(i.e. SDN/NFV) / Cloud Computing
In the second part, we cover the following topics - Network attacks, e.g. DDoS attacks, Malware, worm, and virus propagation
- Protection mechanisms such as firewalls, network intrusion detection, secure routing protocols
- Physical Layer Security / LAN Security, Resilient Network Topologies, Securing Distributed Algorithms
- Security of Internet Architectures, Web and DNS security
- New security technologies related to next-generation wireless and cellular networks and cellular and wireless networks.
- Emerging topics; Blockchain, Quantum Cryptography/ Communication, AI for Security, 6G Security
This holistic and well-rounded course will be of interest to executives and professional/technical staff who:
- need to acquire knowledge and skills to equip themselves better for their current role.
- want to gain a promotion.
- want to open up new career opportunities for themselves in cyber security related roles.
- are interested in doing some research in this field, perhaps in relation to a current work problem.
- want to gain a qualification to add to their standing and credibility within their professional life.
Pre-recorded lectures released every week with 3 in-person workshops at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the term.
Minimum of 2.1 honours bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (or a cognate discipline) or 2:2 honours bachelor’s degree in computer science (or a cognate discipline) and equivalent (> 5 years) industrial experience in software development or software/system security.
Each applicant will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element), or equivalent.
Report(s): Summarize a research paper within the field of network security that aligns with your area of expertise (Week 5); Assignment(Including Essay): Create and present a presentation based on the research paper you summarized in the first assignment (Week 9); Group Work Assignment: Group Project work on attack detection (Week 12); Group Work Assignment: Group project on Network security attack detection (Week 11); Exam (In-person): In class exam (Week 11)
Group/class feedback, post-assessment
- Leadership in Security COMP47800
- Applied Cryptography COMP47890
- Risk Assessment and Standards COMP47900
- Secure Software Engineering COMP47910
- Information Security COMP47920
- Cybersecurity Law LAW42160
- Incident Response COMP47870
- Network Security COMP47880
- Malware Analysis COMP47810
- Ethical Hacking COMP47860
If you have any questions about this micro-credential, or would like to speak to a UCD staff member, please contact (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.