Australia's best cyber courses
Interested in an online university course in cyber security? Good – because Australia's best degrees, certificates and diplomas are shown here.
- You can do a short course for non IT professionals.
- A 3-year bachelor degree is a way to start a cyber security career.
- At a postgraduate level, the options are a graduate certificate (3-4 units), graduate diploma (8 units) and a masters degree or MBA (12 units).
A 100% online course is an opportunity to break into this exciting field. You can build job-ready skills while earning a university qualification.
Introduction to Cyber Security Careers
Short Online Courses
Short online courses are available for non IT professionals who want to know more about cyber security.
- The courses are open to anyone. You can enroll even if you have no qualifications or background in the subject.
- Short university courses may be assessed and can advance your career, though they don't count towards a degree.
Short, open courses are suitable for anyone interested in improving their understanding of cyber security threats and measures.
RMIT Cyber Security Risk and Strategy
RMIT University offers a 100% online 6-week course where you learn about cyber security risks and mitigation strategies. No technical or IT knowledge is required to participate. The course is organised into six weekly modules, covering the basics of cyber security, managing risks, preventing attacks, protecting a business, incident management and how to build on the knowledge you gain. The program is equivalent to a unit of university study. By finishing, you earn an RMIT certificate and verifiable university credential.
Is a Bachelor Degree Worth It?
You may notice that cyber security job postings often don't mention a university degree requirement. However, if you are able to, getting a bachelor degree is worth it.
- A degree opens up the full spectrum of career opportunities.
- Studying IT at university level builds a strong all-round knowledge base.
- A degree gives you a competitive edge against people who don't have one, especially for entry-level positions.
The ideal candidate for a job has everything: experience, any relevant technical certifications, and a degree.
Top Bachelor Degrees in Australia
A Bachelor of Information Technology degree is the traditional way to start a career in cyber security, especially if you haven't studied at university before.
- 3-year bachelor degrees in information technology are available through 100% online study.
- Consider a major in network engineering to give yourself strong foundation knowledge. Most cyber security experts today have a network engineering background.
Here are the best undergraduate degrees in Australia to prepare you for a cyber security career.
CSU Bachelor of Information Technology
Charles Sturt University offers a popular Bachelor of Information Technology degree. Of the four specialisations, future cyber security specialists may be most interested in network engineering. "IT Security" is a core unit for all students. Whatever major you choose, the degree and training provide a foundation for any potential career in information technology.
Deakin Bachelor of Cyber Security
Deakin University's Bachelor of Cyber Security allows for a high level of specialisation. The course draws from the Bachelor of Information Technology program and features topics such as cyber security analytics, cryptography, and computer crime and digital forensics. You can study in the cloud (online) mode. All students must complete compulsory non-credit units on academic integrity, safety induction and introduction to work placements.
Postgraduate Cyber Security Studies
Postgraduate cyber security courses are available in professional and management streams.
- Professional / technical courses are for people with IT skills already. You should have an IT-related degree or relevant experience.
- Management / non-technical courses are open to people with different backgrounds, including IT experts and managers who have never coded.
Most postgraduate university courses, including graduate certificates and diplomas, are part of a masters program.
Graduate Certificate Courses
A graduate certificate is the shortest university course you can do that provides a formal qualification.
- A 3 or 4 unit course is substantial but also allows you to finish in much less than a year of part-time study.
- You earn a recognised cybersecurity qualification, which can add significant value to your resume.
Graduate certificates are available in both management (non technical) and professional categories.
ECU Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security
Edith Cowan University offers a 3-unit 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 both technical and non-technical 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.
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.
UNE Graduate Certificate in Data and Cyber Management
The University of New England and Ducere Global Business School offer a 100% online, exam-free Graduate Certificate in Data and Cyber Management. The management course is non-technical and is ideal for both (i) IT professionals seeking a management career and (ii) non IT professionals wanting to strengthen their cyber security knowledge. Students explore data security methods and strategies, legal and political aspects to information protection, and how to foster a smart security culture. To gain entry, you need a university degree or equivalent experience. Graduates of the course can go on to complete UNE's online MBA with advanced standing.
University of Adelaide Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
The University of Adelaide offers a well-rounded program 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. 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.
Cyber Security Careers – Job Ad Snippets
Snippets from jobs ads. Random sample. Worldwide, there is unmet demand for cyber security experts.
Junior Cyber Security Analyst – Verizon
This is a great entry level role to kick start your career in Cyber Security. You will be educated on the job how to handle common security, monitoring and other incidents on a SIEMS platform. 2 years enterprise experience is required.
Cyber Security Threat Analyst – Fujitsu
You will be working both on the client side and to support corporate projects and capabilities. The role is to provide strategic advice and act as a trusted advisor, profiling the organisation’s risk level and threat actors in the wild. You need experience in security and extensive exposure to threat intelligence modelling.
Cyber Security Analyst – ME Bank
Opportunity for a Cyber Security Analyst to join our ever-expanding Cyber Security team. You’ll help protect information assets within third party supplier partnerships and engagements. You will perform risk and security assessments to ensure suppliers adhere to our approved Risk Framework.
Cyber Security – Hastha Solutions
Cyber security permanent position in Canberra. You will assess the cyber security posture of Windows and other systems as part of vulnerability assessment. You have experience working on enterprise software and systems such as Active Directory, Windows and Linux.
Internship Program – Dept of Defence
We are interested in individuals who want to further their knowledge and understanding of ICT delivery, cyber security, information security, cryptography, or data science in a workplace environment. Internship Program for tertiary students studying in ICT, Cyber Security, Information Security, Engineering, Mathematics.
Cyber Security Designer – BT
You will be responsible for supporting the system engineering of security and cyber products and solutions. The candidate will have keen interest in all aspects of the cyber security industry and will be able to lead initiatives both within the organisation and out to customers.
Cyber Security Technical Professionals – Thinkstream
Cyber Security Technical professionals sought to provide ongoing support for various funded projects. Ideally, you have 5-years experience, including in penetration testing, reverse engineering and/or security monitoring.
Cyber Security Analyst – Synergy AU
Your main priority will be to act as the custodian for our ICT Security. Key accountabilities are to maintain information security policies and processes, manage cyber and ICT audit and assurance, coordinate ICT risks and remediation activities, and manage cyber risks.
Master of Cyber Security Programs
Master of Cyber Security at UNSW Online
The 100% online Master of Cyber Security from UNSW is a comprehensive program that allows for both managerial and technical training. The skills you develop in this program will help leverage lucrative career opportunities within the field. Subjects in the Management specialisation include cyber operations and cyber laws. The Security Engineering specialisation covers cloud security, penetration testing, and digital forensics, among other topics. The program is accelerated, allowing you to finish inside 2 years while working full time.
ECU Master of Cyber Security
You can become a highly qualified cyber security expert with Edith Cowan University's Master of Cyber Security. The 100% online, 12-unit program offers both "analyst" and "governance" study streams and is well connected to industry. Students typically study part-time while working full-time, completing a unit every 2 months. Subjects include ethical hacking and defence, digital forensics, information warfare, data analysis and visualisation, and cyber security ethics. The program is open to university graduates (any discipline) and, via a graduate certificate pathway, experienced professionals yet to earn a degree.
UNE MBA (Data and Cyber Management)
One of the most industry-relevant MBA degrees is available from Australia's leading online university, the University of New England. UNE's online MBA with a specialisation in Data and Cyber Management prepares managers for executive roles that may include data and security leadership. The 12-unit program covers topics such as global cyber security, big data, the cyber mindset, digital operations and project management, and leadership in practice. Students complete a relevant industry project organised by UNE's education partner, Ducere Global Business School.
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