Cyber Conflict, Cyber Espionage and Information Warfare
PostgraduateMAQ-PICX80802025
Previously MAQ-PICX808
Raise your awareness of cyberspace threats and the implications for law enforcement and national security responses. Study the role of the internet in radicalisation and recruitment, and the role of digital currency in money laundering.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 24 Feb 2025
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Cyber Conflict, Cyber Espionage and Information Warfare
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
- Understand and differentiate characteristics and typologies of different cyber threats and trends in the cyber space.
- Analyse the technical, social and political drivers of information warfare, cyber conflict and cyber espionage.
- Analyse how nation-states and non-nation-state actors utilise the Internet as an attack vector in information warfare to infiltrate digital systems and gain control of critical infrastructure, through the use of case studies.
- Develop the ability to conduct independent and collaborative research through written presentations.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This subject was previously known as PICX808 Cyber Terrorism and Information Warfare
This subject provides an overview of the new and developing threats that cyberspace brings in terms of global security and the implications for corporate, law enforcement and national security responses. The course will analyse cyber attacks involving both nation state actors and non-nation state actors with political motives (including terrorists) through historical, operational and strategic perspectives. Students will gain an understanding of various definitions of cyber espionage, cyber terrorism, cyber warfare and information warfare. They will also be able to analyse how nation states and non-nation state actors utilise the Internet as an attack vector in information warfare to infiltrate digital systems to gain control of critical infrastructure. The subject is interactive and students are expected to actively participate in seminars and online discussion forums.
- Quizzes (30%)
- Cyber Attack Case Study (30%)
- Research Essay (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PICX808 (Not currently available)
Others
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PICT808, PICX808
Pre-requisite Admission to MCrim or MPICT or MCPICT or GradDipPICT or GradDipCPICT or PGCertPICT or GradCertPICT or GradCertCPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or MInfoTech or MSecStrategicStud or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MCyberSec or GradDipSecStudCr or GradCertSecStudCr or MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MSecStrategicStudMIntell or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism
or MIntellMCrim or MIntellMCyberSec or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCrim or MCTerrorismMCrim or Master of Cyber Security Analysis or 10cps at 6000 level or 10cps 8000 level
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Master of Cyber Security Analysis
PostgraduateMAQ-CYB-MAS
PostgraduateMAQ-CRM-MAS
PostgraduateMAQ-MCT-MAS
PostgraduateOUA-PSU-GCE
PostgraduateMAQ-INT-MAS
Master of Security and Strategic Studies
PostgraduateMAQ-SEC-MAS
Graduate Certificate of Security Studies and Criminology
PostgraduateMAQ-SSC-GCE
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