Choose the cyber security graduate certificate that's ideal for you. Australian universities offer a good selection of online courses. Specialise in fields such as analytics, networking and data management.
If you're a university graduate or have relevant experience, there's a course for you. A Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security consists of 3-4 subjects and takes 6-8 months part-time. All courses are designed with working professionals in mind.
Specialisations
Cybersecurity Analytics
Learning cyber security from a data analytics angle is extremely beneficial. Collecting and analysing data helps you identify, analyse and mitigate cyberthreats. Data sources include business apps, endpoint and user data, event logs, firewalls, and virus scanners. Data analytics skills are also useful beyond security applications.
UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management
The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management is designed for aspiring tech professionals who want to build on their knowledge of new technologies, particularly in cybersecurity. This course is open to, among others, professionals with a relevant undergraduate degree and minimal IT experience who are interested in moving into tech organisations. You will learn the foundations of cybersecurity management, including identifying cybersecurity threats using data analytics and developing ethical approaches to mitigate cybersecurity threats and breaches. Delivered part-time and 100% online, this course enables you to gain the in-demand cybersecurity skills that you can immediately apply to your career.
Data and Cyber Management
A Data and Cyber Management course meets the needs of business managers with data management responsibilities. Digital information is a valuable asset while also presenting security issues. Gain non-technical training, as part of an MBA program, in data security and handling with this course.
University of Adelaide Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
The University of Adelaide offers a strong foundation course to boost your cyber security skills and qualifications. The Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security blends technical learning with the kind of business training you need to advance your IT career. Students gain technical competencies, learn how to apply skills in a business setting, and examine how cyber security is shaping business development. Topics include business data, information risks, and influencing policy. Assessment is based on quizzes, projects and other applied tasks. The course allows you to continue working full-time and still graduate within 8 months.
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
The classic cyber security grad cert is intended for professionals working in information technology or with suitable analytics capabilities. Graduates may use completed subjects as credit towards a Master of Cyber Security – with different specialisations available. As a foundation course, the grad cert may focus on cyber security management and have limited technical content.
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security at UNSW Online
The Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security from UNSW is a well-rounded foundation course that covers key cybersecurity topics. This grad cert articulates into a masters program with both managerial and technical elements. Each subject in the accelerated course is completed over a 7-week teaching period and can be taken while you work full-time. Topics include cyber security foundations, data security and privacy, cyber security ethics, and security engineering principles.
Network Security
Securing an organisation's digital network is the emphasis in a Network Security course. Students learn how to securely manage a company's internal flow of data. Network design, data communication systems and automating tasks with scripts are some of the topics you may explore. You don't need to work in IT to be be eligible.
ECU Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security
Edith Cowan University offers a 3-subject Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security that you can finish in just 6 months of part-time study. The online course leads on to a masters degree with Technical Analysis and Governance specialisations. Essential cyber subjects that make up this course are Cyber Security, Networking Technologies, and Network Security. Students benefit from joining one of Australia's largest cyber education programs, with strong industry links and cutting-edge expertise. The course is open to university graduates (any degree) and to professionals with relevant experience.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements vary. You can access most programs if you have an IT (or related) degree OR significant professional experience in cyber security or a related field. A bachelor degree in any discipline will suffice for some courses.
Here are examples of course admission requirements. Enquire for further details.
For admission, you need a bachelor degree in any discipline OR five years of relevant professional experience.
All applicants must satisfy English literacy standards.
To be eligible, you need a Bachelor of Computer Science (or an equivalent IT degree) and a GPA of 4.5 OR relevant work experience of 3+ years in Computer Science or Cyber Security roles OR a diploma or above in networking and IT plus 2 years of relevant work experience.
All students require some experience with a programming language. If you lack this, the University of Adelaide offers the course Foundations of Computer Science: Python A.
English language requirements apply.
You need a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a WAM of 65 OR a sufficient professional analytical background as indicated by 2+ years of experience in an analytical role.
At the time of publishing, the indicative fee for this course in 2023 is $18,960 for domestic students and $25,080 for international students.
Applicants must meet the University's English language requirements.
Applicants need: a bachelor degree or higher qualification in Computer Science, IT, Information Systems, Business Data Analytics, Software Engineering or similar and at least one year of experience in a related role to the course OR demonstrated professional practice (3-year minimum) and capacity to undertake university education.
What You'll Study (Course Structure)
Cybersecurity short courses tend to be specialised, so learning outcomes depend on the program chosen. Here are subjects lists for five online grad certs.
UNSW Online
- Cyber Security Ethics
- Data Security and Privacy
- Foundations of Cyber Security
- Principles of Security Engineering
University of Adelaide
- Business Data and Cyber Security
- Cyber Security Fundamentals
- Information Risks, Threats and Controls
- Political Institutions and Policy-Making
UTS Online
- Cybersecurity Management
- Cybersecurity Analytics and Insights
- Data Ethics and Regulation
- Data Visualisation & Visual Analytics
Edith Cowan University
- Cyber Security
- Networking Technologies
- Scripting Languages
Career Opportunities
Job prospects for trained cyber security professionals are excellent as demand continues to outstrip supply. According to AustCyber, "Australia may need around 16,600 additional cyber security workers for technical as well as non-technical positions by 2026."
The kinds of roles you can potentially succeed in are many and varied. Job titles include the following.
- business continuity engineer
- cryptoanalyst
- cryptographer
- cybersecurity analyst
- cybersecurity consultant
- cybersecurity officer
- cybersecurity systems architect
- forensic computer analyst
- forensic computer scientist
- information security analyst
- information security auditor
- information security manager
- information security officer
- IT security consultant
- IT security engineer
- IT security engineer
- penetration tester
- security analyst
- security architect
- security consultant
- security system developer
- security system manager
- security system programmer
- security systems administrator
FAQs
A grad cert in cyber security is a postgraduate university qualification. You can do the course after you've earned a bachelor degree, or after having gained extensive relevant professional experience.
The course is just four subjects long, compared to a graduate diploma's 8 subjects or a master's 12-16 subjects. So, it's quite short by university standards. A grad cert takes eight months of part-time study online or can be completed in a single semester of full-time study.
Graduate certificates are short, flexible courses. They can be introductory and, therefore, suitable for students without a strong IT background.
Grad certs also provide a platform for further study. Alternatively, you can do a specialist short-course and target specific skills. How much coding you do depends very much on the program and area of specialisation.
Although it's relatively short, a grad cert in cyber security is a well-recognised university qualification. It sits above the level of a bachelor degree and is equivalent to a honours degree and graduate diploma. That's according to the Australian Qualifications Framework.
High demand for cybersecurity professionals across industries means a university qualification in this field definitely adds to your earning potential. You'll have better prospects in the professional field, with improved chances of landing high-paying jobs and being promoted within a company.
Graduate certificates are often worth it because the education cost is low. You also have the option to keep studying for a graduate diploma, which is similar but double the length, or a master's degree.
A big advantage of the qualification is that you gain a postgraduate credential in cybersecurity. Even if you do no more formal study in the security area, you have demonstrated cybersecurity expertise. The grad cert may complement your undergraduate degree, whether that's in IT, business, or another discipline.
Your ability to earn always depends on professional experience and overall level of skill development. But having a relevant postgraduate qualification can only help. Just a slight increase in annual income will, over time, translate into a high return on investment (ROI). This is especially considering that online courses allow you to study without having to travel or take time off work.
