UK university offers first hacking degree

Abertay University in Dundee will launch the UK's first 'ethical hacking' course in September in a bid to train more white hat hackers to fight the growing threat of cyber-crime.

The BSc (Hons) in Ethical Hacking & Countermeasures is being championed by the university's School of Computing & Creative Technologies.

According to the course syllabus, an ethical hacker essentially evaluates the security of a computer system or network by simulating an attack by a malicious hacker.

The process involves an active analysis of the system for any weaknesses, technical flaws or vulnerabilities.

Security issues will be presented to the system owner together with an assessment of their impact, often with a proposal for mitigation or a technical solution to the problem.

"This undergraduate programme aims to equip graduates with detailed knowledge of the nature of electronic attacks and methods that computer criminals use," the university said.

"Countermeasure techniques and strategies will be examined for their suitability against these attacks, and graduates will be equipped with the skills to analyse and secure computer systems and networks.

"They will also design countermeasures against criminal intrusion, penetration and hacking, and continuously update and develop their knowledge and skills in this rapidly changing area."

Abertay believes that a potentially large job market is emerging for graduates from the course as an increasing number of auditors are insisting that companies have their networks penetration tested for legal purposes.

Along with the Data Protection Act and legislation being introduced that demands security testing as part of the due diligence required in financial systems, the increase in the job market for graduates is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, the university said.

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