Cyber Security Subject regulations
Cyber Security concerns the protection of systems, networks, applications, and data from attack, misuse, and disruption. It includes defensive and offensive techniques, secure software practices, and ethical professional conduct.
Cyber Security is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Science (BSc). Cyber Security may also be taken as a second major in other undergraduate degrees, subject to the approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Cyber Security as a single major for the BSc, students must gain 135 points, including COMPX101, COMPX107, COMPX230, COMPX234, COMPX235, COMPX265, COMPX309, COMPX316 and COMPX317.
To complete Cyber Security as part of a second major for the BSc or any other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points, including COMPX101, COMPX107, COMPX230, COMPX235, COMPX265, COMPX309, COMPX316 and COMPX317.
The major in Cyber Security will be introduced to the BSc, and as a second major in other undergraduate qualifications in 2027. The Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security will not be offered until 2028 or 2029 dependant on paper offerings.
Other qualifications
Prescriptions for:
-
GradDip(CyberSec) [1] A Graduate Diploma is available to graduates who have not included Cyber Security at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the Division of STEM Office.
NOTE:
[1] The GradDip(CyberSec) will not be offered in 2027.
-
PGDip(CyberSec) and MCS To complete a PGDip(CyberSec), students must complete 120 points at 500 level including one of COMPX508 or COMPX519, one of COMPX511 or COMPX517, COMPX515, and COMPX527.
The compulsory papers for the Master of Cyber Security degree are one of COMPX508 or COMPX519, one of COMPX511 or COMPX517, COMPX515, COMPX527, and either COMPX520 and COMPX585 or COMPX592 or COMPX593.
Students admitted into the 120-point Master of Cyber Security will be given appropriate waivers on the compulsory papers based on the 500-level study completed prior to admittance.
Cyber Security papers
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
COMPX101
Introduction to Programming with AI Tools
Introduces C# programming using Visual Studio. Students learn fundamental concepts alongside modern practices, including AI-assisted tools, and gain... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) & 27A (Online) & 27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Secondary School - Unistart) |
|
COMPX107
Systems Programming for Cyber Security
This paper introduces systems‑oriented programming and practices tailored to Cyber Security. It includes command‑line environments and the use of... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
COMPX230
Computer Hardware and Microprocessors
A study of microprocessors, starting with how to design and realise a microprocessor using a hardware description language, and further, how the... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) |
|
COMPX234
Systems and Networks
A study on principles of operating systems and networking and how they are applied to existing systems. It begins with the principles of operating... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) & 27A (Tauranga) |
|
COMPX235
Cybersecurity Engineering
A study of cyber security principles supported by relevant examples and hands-on work to develop cyber security skills. |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) |
|
COMPX265
Ethics in Computer Science
Learn the foundations of ethical and societal issues in computing, with a particular focus on AI and cybersecurity. |
15 | No occurrences |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
COMPX316
Network Security
A study of the Internet and its security, exploring hands-on how the Internet works, the most important attacks, and technologies to defend against... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
COMPX317
Vulnerability Analysis and Exploitation
This paper covers topics related to vulnerability analysis and exploitation. Selected vulnerabilities with a focus on memory corruption will be... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
COMPX508
Malware Analysis
In this paper we will cover the cyber security topic of malware analysis to understand, analyse and detect malicious code. Students will also be... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) |
|
COMPX511
Cyber Security Operations
This paper provides students with theoretical and practical skills to defend organisations against cyberattacks. Students will learn about threat... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
COMPX515
Advanced Network Security
The paper offers a research-based, in-depth exploration of network security. It covers attacks against Internet infrastructure (e.g., routing, DNS... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) |
|
COMPX517
Vulnerability Analysis and Exploitation
This paper covers topics related to vulnerability analysis and exploitation. Selected vulnerabilities with a focus on memory corruption will be... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
COMPX520
Dissertation
A directed study investigation and report on an approved project or study topic under the supervision of a lecturer. Students should obtain the... |
45 | 27D (Hamilton) & 27I (Hamilton) & 27X (Hamilton) |
|
COMPX585
Preparation for Research in Computer Science
A paper about how to plan, conduct and report research in the field of computer science, in which students gain skills in and understanding of... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) |
|
COMPX592
Dissertation
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. |
60 | 27X (Hamilton) & 27X (Tauranga) |
|
COMPX593
Computer Science Thesis
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. |
90 | 27X (Hamilton) |
-
COMPX101 Introduction to Programming with AI Tools
Introduces C# programming using Visual Studio. Students learn fundamental concepts alongside modern practices, including AI-assisted tools, and gain...
Points 15This paper introduces systems‑oriented programming and practices tailored to Cyber Security. It includes command‑line environments and the use of...
Points 15 -
COMPX230 Computer Hardware and Microprocessors
A study of microprocessors, starting with how to design and realise a microprocessor using a hardware description language, and further, how the...
Points 15A study on principles of operating systems and networking and how they are applied to existing systems. It begins with the principles of operating...
Points 15A study of cyber security principles supported by relevant examples and hands-on work to develop cyber security skills.
Points 15Learn the foundations of ethical and societal issues in computing, with a particular focus on AI and cybersecurity.
Points 15 -
COMPX316 Network Security
A study of the Internet and its security, exploring hands-on how the Internet works, the most important attacks, and technologies to defend against...
Points 15This paper covers topics related to vulnerability analysis and exploitation. Selected vulnerabilities with a focus on memory corruption will be...
Points 15 -
COMPX508 Malware Analysis
In this paper we will cover the cyber security topic of malware analysis to understand, analyse and detect malicious code. Students will also be...
Points 15This paper provides students with theoretical and practical skills to defend organisations against cyberattacks. Students will learn about threat...
Points 15The paper offers a research-based, in-depth exploration of network security. It covers attacks against Internet infrastructure (e.g., routing, DNS...
Points 15This paper covers topics related to vulnerability analysis and exploitation. Selected vulnerabilities with a focus on memory corruption will be...
Points 15A directed study investigation and report on an approved project or study topic under the supervision of a lecturer. Students should obtain the...
Points 45A paper about how to plan, conduct and report research in the field of computer science, in which students gain skills in and understanding of...
Points 15A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
Points 60An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
Points 90
2027 Subject regulation information current as at 11 Nov 2026 01:00am