Programme overview
New Zealand needs to be able to rely on a strong cybersecurity workforce that’s capable of preventing, adapting to, and responding to cybersecurity threats. This programme is designed to equip you with the core cybersecurity and technical skills and knowledge you need to protect and manage information and systems security. Learn how to spot potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses of existing and emerging technologies.
Perform cybersecurity risk assessments, communicate results and findings to support risk management processes, and apply relevant security incident-handling techniques to solve complex security problems. You’ll also develop an understanding of how to operate within the appropriate professional standards and best practice, both independently and as part of a team, and become highly skilled, innovative, and enterprising NZ workforce.
Highlights
- Enrol in a programme that is highly practical with students working on work-based projects supplied by our industry partners, including Datacom, Spark.
- Emphasis on practical assessments and case study scenarios.
- Industry based project will enable you to apply your cybersecurity knowledge and skills and provide solutions to a particular cybersecurity problem.
- Industry experienced lecturers that will give you context to real-world situations.
- Provides a direct pathway into Unitec’s Bachelor of Computing Systems programme.
You'll learn the following skills;
- An understanding of organisational contexts from a security perspective using information management concepts and terminology, data inputs, organisational strategy and processes, outputs, systems, project management tools and techniques.
- Become competent in identifying issues that could affect an organisation’s performance and reputation.
- Develop an understanding of how to assess, select, plan, implement and validate cybersecurity approaches to support business and operational objectives.
- Learn how to recognise what information is needed for security incident classification.
- Develop skills around critical thinking, business logic, organisational processes, innovation and enterprise.
- Learn how to apply communication, information design, teamwork, personal and interpersonal skills to a range of different organisational situations.
- Understand legal and organisational regulatory requirements, apply professional and ethical practices, and advise decision-makers on cybersecurity implications and related organisational obligations
Where to from here
Upon successful completion of this programme you can go onto further study in Bachelor of Computing Systems and cross-credit up to two years of your studies or you can go into entry-level Cybersecurity jobs.
Admission requirements
For this programme, you will need the following:
- Have successfully completed 120 credits of a level 5 IT qualification or above or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience
- Consent to Unitec undertaking a Police clearance check, or a Criminal Record Check, and advise Unitec of any current charges or pending court matters
- A minimum of 8 credits at NCEA level 2 in English (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing),
- If English is not your first language, you are required to have one or more of the following:
- Have achieved NCEA Level 2 and New Zealand University entrance
- Be able to provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency
- Have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Information System Security (HTCS6701) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course analyses the fundamental concepts in information system security and the impact of cyber law and regulations on the organisation’s operations. |
| Cryptography (HTCS6702) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course introduces the concepts of cryptography and analyses the mechanisms to manage access to sensitive data in an organisation. |
| Network Security (HTCS6703) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course analyses different attacks that may target an organisation’s network and the security mechanisms to protect the network against these attacks. |
| Cybersecurity Management (HTCS6704) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course analyses the requirements of cybersecurity management within an organisation and applies cybersecurity frameworks to manage the security risks. |
| Ethical Hacking and Testing (HTCS6705) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course analyses and applies different methods to perform hacking ethically and implement security mechanisms to protect organisation’s information system. |
| Cybersecurity Data Analysis (HTCS6706) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course analyses and applies cybersecurity incidents handling process and techniques in an information system to manage the cybersecurity breaches. |
| Cybersecurity Project (HTCS6707) | 30.0 credits (0.25 EFTS) | This course will enable student to research, analyse, select and apply a range of tools and techniques to develop a solution to a cybersecurity problem. Wherever, possible students should implement a project on behalf of a client. |
| Cybersecurity Project (Sem A) (HTCS6707-SA) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course will enable student to research, analyse, select and apply a range of tools and techniques to develop a solution to a cybersecurity problem. Wherever, possible students should implement a project on behalf of a client. |
| Cybersecurity Project (Sem B) (HTCS6707-SB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course will enable student to research, analyse, select and apply a range of tools and techniques to develop a solution to a cybersecurity problem. Wherever, possible students should implement a project on behalf of a client. |
