Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar
Have you completed Bachelor’s Degree course? Are you interested in pursuing a good Information Security course? If yes, this article will be of help to you. Here, we will have an in-depth analysis of the M.Sc. in Information Security course.
How’s this article of help to me, you may ask. Here, you will find everything you need to know about this course! You will find details such as – duration, eligibility criteria, admission process, colleges, fees, syllabus, career prospects, and salary specifications.
Table of Contents
M.Sc. in Information Security is a job-oriented Master’s Degree program. It is also known as MS in Information Security. This academic program is ideal for IT, Computer Science, and Telecommunication Graduates.
Information Security forms an integral part of IT systems and services. If you want to specialize in this promising domain, this course will be of help to you.
Here’s an overview of the course –
- Name of the course: M.Sc. in Information Security.
- Type of course: Master’s Degree.
- Duration: 2 years.
- Eligibility Criteria: Completed relevant Bachelor’s Degree course.
What’s information security all about? What’s the scope associated with this field? What is it like to become an information security specialist? You will find answers to these questions in the next section. Come, let us check out basic details about the domain called information security.
M.Sc. in Information Security: Basic Details
As the name suggests, this field is related to IT (Information Technology). What’s IT, you may ask. IT stands for Information Technology.
IT deals with the creation, manipulation, storage, retrieval, and transmission of data/information. We use IT systems and services to perform the above-mentioned tasks.
The IT sector has grown tremendously over the past few years. Such is the extent of growth that we’ve become dependent on IT systems for important activities. For example, we rely on IT systems for purposes such as – banking, education, entertainment, Governance, business, etc.
As I mentioned before, IT systems and services handle large amounts of data/information. They store, retrieve and transmit data. Is this data secure on IT systems? Well, if it is taken care of by a skilled Information security professional, the data will remain safe. If not managed properly, the data can get leaked and fall into the wrong hands!
The safety of information/data is of utmost importance to IT-enabled firms, services, and systems. Data loss, leakage, and theft are some of the common problems faced by them.
In order to prevent loss/theft/leak of data, IT systems must be made as secure as possible. This is where the services of a skilled Information security professional come in handy!
A skilled information security professional is knowledgeable about areas such as –
- Internet Security.
- Network Security.
- Digital Forensics.
- Cyber Security.
- System Security Software.
M.Sc. in Information Security trains students in the above-mentioned areas. The program trains students and turns them into skilled information security professionals.
This academic program is available across the world in multiple learning modes! Distance learning, regular classroom learning, and online learning are some of the popular modes!
If you are an IT professional looking to advance his/her skills, you may choose distance or online learning modes! It will help you advance your skills without disturbing your job!
The academic program consists of both classroom lectures and practical training. This academic program is known to churn out skilled IT security professionals.
Come, let us take a closer look at the course details.
Admission Process
Reputed institutes rely on merit-based admission processes. Such institutes make use of relevant entrance tests to select deserving candidates. Some institutes are also known to conduct their own qualifying test in order to select deserving candidates.
Some other institutes are also known to conduct direct as well as donation-based admission processes.
Syllabus
Here are some of the important subjects present in the M.Sc. in Information Security curriculum –
- Basics of Information Security.
- Network Security.
- Cyber Security.
- Cyber Forensics.
- Information Security Laws.
- Digital Forensics.
Modes of learning
This program is available in multiple learning modes in India. Popular ones are –
- Regular classroom programs.
- Distance education programs.
- Online programs.
Fees
Fees charged for the academic program may vary from one institute to another. Course fees depend upon the following factors –
- Type of institute (Government, Private, Aided, etc)
- Location of the college
- Status and rating of the college
- Scholarship status (of a student, if applicable)
Government colleges are known to charge low fees. Average fees in private colleges could be anywhere between 60-150K INR.
Career Prospects
Information security professionals have diverse job opportunities available in front of them. They have access to Government jobs, Private jobs, and Self-Employment.
Also, check – M.Sc. IT.
Some of the prime recruiters are –
- IT firms.
- Firms offering IT services.
- IT-enabled firms.
- E-Commerce firms.
- Telecommunication firms.
- Consultancies.
If you are an entrepreneur at heart, you may start your own information security consultancy or start your own venture! It is also possible to freelance and earn decent amount of money!
In the above-mentioned firms, you may don roles such as:
- System administrator.
- IT engineer.
- System security specialist.
- Cyber security specialist.
- Network security specialist.
Salary
Starting salary of an Information Security Specialist depends upon a number of factors. Some of the prominent factors are –
- Institute from which the candidate completed the course.
- His/her specialization.
- The domain he/she has chosen.
- Job location.
- Status of the employer.
On average, starting salary could be anywhere between 50-80K INR per month. In the case of a Government job, the salary will be as per the pay scale and grade.
I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.
I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.