Cyber security courses

Depending on the course that you choose, you can expect to cover topics such as:  

• Current computer crimes and future threats 

• What motivates cyber hackers 

• How to secure systems and networks 

• How to evaluate security vulnerabilities 

• How to respond to real-world incidents 

• The ethics of privacy and data use

If you’ve ever thought about getting into cyber security, now is a great time to do it. Here are just a few reasons to enrol in a cyber security course online:   

• The Australian Government estimates that the country will need another 11,000 cyber security specialists over the next decade to protect our data. This means you’ll find lots of job opportunities when you graduate.  

• You will also likely be well paid. In Australia, the average salary for a cyber security professional is over $93,000 a year.   

• Cyber threats are constantly evolving, so you will be constantly learning on the job.

Learning anything technical can be a challenge, but if you’re a problem-solver with a passion for the digital world, then you should be able to fill any gaps in your practical knowledge. 

You may find cyber security easier to study if you have a basic understanding of computer networking and programming. Consider taking a short IT course to increase your knowledge before enrolling in a cyber security degree online. There are many available through Open Universities Australia.

No, you don’t necessarily need to know how to write code to do a cyber security course, though understanding the logic of code can help. If you do have a coding or programming background, you’ll definitely find it handy. But, if not, you’ll pick up everything you need to know in your cyber security course.

Entry requirements vary, so make sure you check each course page for more information.  

If you don’t have an ATAR or didn’t get the score you were hoping for, Open Universities Australia can help you find a pathway into a cyber security degree. Chat with us today about how to make that happen.

If you’re a cyber security beginner with little IT knowledge, then it’s worth considering a more general IT course that delves into computing and internet security. From there, you could go on to specialise in cyber security.  

If you already have an IT qualification and you’d like to upskill in cyber security, a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security will cover the essentials quickly. Alternatively, a more comprehensive Master of Cyber Security will help you go after more senior cyber security roles, including in the intelligence space.  

If you’re not yet sure if cyber security is the right discipline for you, consider related study areas, such as:  

• Data science 

• Information technology 

• Software development 

• Criminology 

Book a consultation with a student advisor to chat about your study options.

With a cyber security degree, you could explore work with public, private or government employers in roles such as:

• Cyber security analyst

•  Security system manager

• Digital forensics examiner

• Network operation centre tester

• Cyber security consultant

• Government, risk and compliance specialist

• Chief Information Officer (CIO)

There’s huge demand for cyber security professionals across all kinds of industries, including:   

• Technology 

• Finance

• Healthcare 

• Manufacturing 

• Government 

• Military and defence 

• Energy and utilities 

• Retail and e-commerce

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.