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Overview

Key words that we increasingly see in the media with regard to the Internet include stolen digital assets, attacks on government servers, Internet fraud, child pornography. There is growing concern about misuse and abuse of the Internet. How do we ensure the future growth of the Internet as a facilitator of global economic and social growth, while also addressing the risks that it creates?

The Advanced Course in Cybersecurity covers in-depth aspects of privacy and security, core infrastructure and cyberterrorism, policies and strategies, as well as social aspects and other issues, including child online safety.

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Open for applications: 

No

Application deadline: 
Credit: 5 August 2013 Certificate: 2 September 2013
Start date: 
7 October 2013
Course code: 
IRL 5092
ECTS credits: 
9
Mode(s) of study: 
Credit - Certificate - Master/PGD
Course details

Key words that we increasingly see in the media with regard to the Internet include stolen digital assets, attacks on government servers, Internet fraud, child pornography. There is growing concern about misuse and abuse of the Internet. How do we ensure the future growth of the Internet as a facilitator of global economic and social growth, while also addressing the risks that it creates?

The Advanced Course in Cybersecurity covers in-depth aspects of privacy and security, core infrastructure and cyberterrorism, policies and strategies, as well as social aspects and other issues, including child online safety.

The course covers the following topics:

  • Introduction to Security
  • Cybersecurity: Online Threats to Individuals, Privacy and Security as Challenges of Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity and Public Key Infrastructure, Building Trust in E-commerce
  • Security of the Core Infrastructure: Domain Name System Security; Unilateral Control, Security Threats
  • Cyberterrorism and Cyberwarfare: Denial of Service, Threat of Cyberwar
  • Internet Safety: Cybercrime, History of Cybercrime, Classification, Impact, Critical Infrastructure Security, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Framework for Combating Cybercrime, Law Enforcement
  • Policies and Strategies: Developed Countries, International Framework: Council of Europe, European Union Directives Related to Data Protection, ITU Draft Initiative on Cybersecurity, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Business Initiatives, SAFECode, Intel and Embedded Security, Importance of Public-Private Co-operation
  • Social Aspects of Cybersecurity: Defining Internet Safety, Challenges, Freedom of Expression
  • Issues: Information and Computer Security, Objectionable Content, Harmful Content, Reliability of Information, Ethics, Health; Child Safety
Who should apply

Diplo seeks applications from the following categories of individuals from both developed and developing countries:

  • Officials in government ministries, departments, or institutions dealing with Information Society, Internet and ICT-related policy issues (e.g. telecommunications, education, foreign affairs, justice);
  • Postgraduate students, academics and researchers in the IG field (e.g. in telecommunications, electrical engineering, law, economics, development studies);
  • Civil society activists in the IG and Information Society fields;
  • Journalists covering IG issues; and
  • Individuals in Internet-business fields (e.g. ISPs, software developers).

This course may also be of interest to:

  • Practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations who want to refresh or expand their knowledge under the guidance of experienced practitioners and academics.
  • Postgraduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to study topics not offered through their university programmes or diplomatic academies and to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats.
  • Postgraduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy.
  • Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people and others who interact with diplomats and wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics.
     
Prerequisites

Applicants for the certificate course must have:

  • IG knowledge and/or experience of the multistakeholder approach in international affairs;
  • Sufficient ability in the English language to undertake postgraduate level studies (including reading academic texts, discussing complex concepts with other course participants, and submitting written essay assignments).
  • Fluency in the second language for the applicants to any of the bilingual groups (if offered);
  • Regular access to the Internet (dial-up connection is sufficient, although broadband is preferable);
  • A minimum of 8-10 hours commitment per week, and the readiness to participate in class online sessions (once a week at specified times).

In addition to the above, applicants for the accredited course must also meet University of Malta prerequisites:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject with at least Second Class Honours.
  • Proof of English language proficiency obtained within the last two years (minimum requirements TOEFL: paper-based – 650; Internet-based – 95. IELTS: 6.5. Cambridge: Proficiency Certificate with Grade C or better). If when applying you are still waiting for your English language proficiency results, the University may issue a conditional letter of acceptance.
Fees

Course fees depend on whether you wish to obtain university credit for the course:

  • €790 (University of Malta Accredited Course)
  • €600 (Diplo Certificate Course)

Applicants must pay full fees upon official acceptance into the course. The fee includes:

  • University of Malta application fee (for University of Malta Accredited Courses only)
  • Full tuition
  • Course orientation pack where applicable (optional readings)
  • Access to all course materials online, via Diplo’s online classroom
  • Access, via the Internet, to the University of Malta e-journal collection (University of Malta Accredited Courses only)
  • Personal interaction via the online classroom with course lecturers, staff and other participants
  • Online technical support
  • For Diplo Certificate Courses, postgraduate-level certificate issued by DiploFoundation on successful completion of course requirements (interaction and participation, all assignments)

Financial assistance

As Diplo's ability to offer scholarship support is limited, candidates are strongly encouraged to seek scholarship funding directly from local or international institutions. Our guide to Finding Scholarships for Online Study may provide you with some useful starting points.

 

How to apply

A number of routes for application are available:

  • Apply for this course as a Diplo Certificate Course [link will be available in due course]
  • Apply for this course as a University of Malta Accredited Course [link will be available in due course]
  • Take this course as part of the Master/PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy

Apply for a Diplo Certificate Course

Applicants for certificate courses should apply online [link will be available soon].

Late applications will be considered if there are spaces available in the course.

Apply for a University of Malta Accredited Course

Complete application packages must be received by specified application deadlines in order to be considered.

  1. Two copies of the University of Malta application form filled out in full (download form for overseas applicants; download form for applicants with Maltese qualifications).
  2. Certified copies of original degree(s) and official transcripts.
  3. English translations of degree(s) and transcripts if they are not in English, signed and stamped by translator.
  4. English language proficiency certificate obtained within the last two years (minimum requirements TOEFL: paper-based – 650; Internet-based – 95. IELTS: 6.5. Cambridge: Proficiency Certificate with Grade C or better). Please indicate on the application form if you are still waiting for your English language proficiency results.
  5. Two passport-size photos.
  6. Photocopy of personal details pages of your passport.
  7. Application fee or proof of payment (€100 – non-refundable – see methods of payment).

Please mail complete application packages to the address at the bottom of the page.

Cancellation Policy

Diplo reserves the right to cancel this course if enrolment is insufficient. In case of cancellation, Diplo will notify applicants shortly after the application deadline. Applicants who have paid an application fee may apply this fee towards another course or receive a refund.

 

Print course info
Course details:

Key words that we increasingly see in the media with regard to the Internet include stolen digital assets, attacks on government servers, Internet fraud, child pornography. There is growing concern about misuse and abuse of the Internet. How do we ensure the future growth of the Internet as a facilitator of global economic and social growth, while also addressing the risks that it creates?

The Advanced Course in Cybersecurity covers in-depth aspects of privacy and security, core infrastructure and cyberterrorism, policies and strategies, as well as social aspects and other issues, including child online safety.

The course covers the following topics:

  • Introduction to Security
  • Cybersecurity: Online Threats to Individuals, Privacy and Security as Challenges of Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity and Public Key Infrastructure, Building Trust in E-commerce
  • Security of the Core Infrastructure: Domain Name System Security; Unilateral Control, Security Threats
  • Cyberterrorism and Cyberwarfare: Denial of Service, Threat of Cyberwar
  • Internet Safety: Cybercrime, History of Cybercrime, Classification, Impact, Critical Infrastructure Security, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Framework for Combating Cybercrime, Law Enforcement
  • Policies and Strategies: Developed Countries, International Framework: Council of Europe, European Union Directives Related to Data Protection, ITU Draft Initiative on Cybersecurity, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Business Initiatives, SAFECode, Intel and Embedded Security, Importance of Public-Private Co-operation
  • Social Aspects of Cybersecurity: Defining Internet Safety, Challenges, Freedom of Expression
  • Issues: Information and Computer Security, Objectionable Content, Harmful Content, Reliability of Information, Ethics, Health; Child Safety
Who should apply:

Diplo seeks applications from the following categories of individuals from both developed and developing countries:

  • Officials in government ministries, departments, or institutions dealing with Information Society, Internet and ICT-related policy issues (e.g. telecommunications, education, foreign affairs, justice);
  • Postgraduate students, academics and researchers in the IG field (e.g. in telecommunications, electrical engineering, law, economics, development studies);
  • Civil society activists in the IG and Information Society fields;
  • Journalists covering IG issues; and
  • Individuals in Internet-business fields (e.g. ISPs, software developers).

This course may also be of interest to:

  • Practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations who want to refresh or expand their knowledge under the guidance of experienced practitioners and academics.
  • Postgraduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to study topics not offered through their university programmes or diplomatic academies and to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats.
  • Postgraduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy.
  • Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people and others who interact with diplomats and wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics.
     
Methodology:

This course is conducted entirely online over a period of ten weeks. Reading materials and tools for online interaction are provided through an online classroom. Each week, participants read the provided lecture text, adding questions, comments, and references in the form of hypertext entries. Tutors and other participants read and respond to these entries, creating interaction based on the lecture text. During the week, participants complete additional online activities (e.g. further discussion via blogs or forums and quizzes). At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet online in a chat room to discuss the week’s topic. Courses are based on a collaborative approach to learning, involving a high level of interaction. This course requires a minimum of five to seven hours of study time per week.

Participants are invited to join Diplo’s global Internet governance online community of over 1000 members, and to attend monthly webinars and other IG-related events and activities.

The course materials, our e-learning platform, and the working language of the course is English. Applicants should consider whether their reading and writing skills in English are sufficient to follow university-level materials and discussion.

 

Prerequisites:

Applicants for the certificate course must have:

  • IG knowledge and/or experience of the multistakeholder approach in international affairs;
  • Sufficient ability in the English language to undertake postgraduate level studies (including reading academic texts, discussing complex concepts with other course participants, and submitting written essay assignments).
  • Fluency in the second language for the applicants to any of the bilingual groups (if offered);
  • Regular access to the Internet (dial-up connection is sufficient, although broadband is preferable);
  • A minimum of 8-10 hours commitment per week, and the readiness to participate in class online sessions (once a week at specified times).

In addition to the above, applicants for the accredited course must also meet University of Malta prerequisites:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject with at least Second Class Honours.
  • Proof of English language proficiency obtained within the last two years (minimum requirements TOEFL: paper-based – 650; Internet-based – 95. IELTS: 6.5. Cambridge: Proficiency Certificate with Grade C or better). If when applying you are still waiting for your English language proficiency results, the University may issue a conditional letter of acceptance.
Fees:

Course fees depend on whether you wish to obtain university credit for the course:

  • €790 (University of Malta Accredited Course)
  • €600 (Diplo Certificate Course)

Applicants must pay full fees upon official acceptance into the course. The fee includes:

  • University of Malta application fee (for University of Malta Accredited Courses only)
  • Full tuition
  • Course orientation pack where applicable (optional readings)
  • Access to all course materials online, via Diplo’s online classroom
  • Access, via the Internet, to the University of Malta e-journal collection (University of Malta Accredited Courses only)
  • Personal interaction via the online classroom with course lecturers, staff and other participants
  • Online technical support
  • For Diplo Certificate Courses, postgraduate-level certificate issued by DiploFoundation on successful completion of course requirements (interaction and participation, all assignments)

Financial assistance

As Diplo's ability to offer scholarship support is limited, candidates are strongly encouraged to seek scholarship funding directly from local or international institutions. Our guide to Finding Scholarships for Online Study may provide you with some useful starting points.

 

How to apply:

A number of routes for application are available:

  • Apply for this course as a Diplo Certificate Course [link will be available in due course]
  • Apply for this course as a University of Malta Accredited Course [link will be available in due course]
  • Take this course as part of the Master/PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy

Apply for a Diplo Certificate Course

Applicants for certificate courses should apply online [link will be available soon].

Late applications will be considered if there are spaces available in the course.

Apply for a University of Malta Accredited Course

Complete application packages must be received by specified application deadlines in order to be considered.

  1. Two copies of the University of Malta application form filled out in full (download form for overseas applicants; download form for applicants with Maltese qualifications).
  2. Certified copies of original degree(s) and official transcripts.
  3. English translations of degree(s) and transcripts if they are not in English, signed and stamped by translator.
  4. English language proficiency certificate obtained within the last two years (minimum requirements TOEFL: paper-based – 650; Internet-based – 95. IELTS: 6.5. Cambridge: Proficiency Certificate with Grade C or better). Please indicate on the application form if you are still waiting for your English language proficiency results.
  5. Two passport-size photos.
  6. Photocopy of personal details pages of your passport.
  7. Application fee or proof of payment (€100 – non-refundable – see methods of payment).

Please mail complete application packages to the address at the bottom of the page.

Cancellation Policy

Diplo reserves the right to cancel this course if enrolment is insufficient. In case of cancellation, Diplo will notify applicants shortly after the application deadline. Applicants who have paid an application fee may apply this fee towards another course or receive a refund.