Bachelor in Cyber Security

"Will you help make our digital world safer? "

In this bachelor's major, you study the specific problems in the field of security and learn how to arm yourself against them. As a Cyber Security Specialist, you will be trained in the very latest technologies and techniques in the field of cybersecurity, cybercrime and cyber warfare. The Cyber Security specialist provides more security and privacy in the digital world.

Our course is supported by the Cyber Security Coalition non-profit organization and listed in the Cybersecurity Higher Education database powered by ENISA, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity.

This bachelor major is entirely taught in English! Kickstart your career in Cyber Security now!

Kickstart your career in Cyber Security now!

What makes us unique

• Howest solves the problem of too few cybersecurity specialists
  SnapChat, LinkedIn, Dropbox, Yahoo!, only a small selection of companies that recently had to deal with cybercrime. The demand for security specialists has never been so high! As a Cyber Security Specialist, you will be trained in the latest technologies and techniques in the field of cybersecurity.
  You are proficient in both the attacking and the defensive side of cybercrime and you are also familiar with the legislation!
  • Offensive security
  • Legislation and information management
  • Defensive security
  • Practical Reverse engineering & Malware analysis
• Getting started with a Cyber Security diploma
  With a degree in Cyber Security, you are hugely sought after in the labor market. With 1000s of vacancies for security experts, you can immediately get started with 100% job security both in Belgium and abroad!
  Want to do business?
  Many of our students also start their own business! In 2017 we started a Cyber Security & Blockchain incubator in Bruges!
• Be part of the Cyber Security Community
  By participating in numerous activities and attending various security conferences, you will really become part of the international cybersecurity community.
  Some of the events that our students took part in this year: Brucon, Infosecurity, Cyber Security Challenge, Cebit, Chaos Communication Congress, etc.
• Certificated
  For many people, obtaining certification is a real boost to their careers. These often cost thousands of euros at other agencies. Howest offers the possibility to obtain a lot of certificates during your training, for free or at a greatly reduced price! 
  Certified Ethical Hacker 
  Cisco Certified CCNA 
  Moreover, you will be well prepared for the advanced Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certificates.

These courses may also be suited for you?

• Software Engineer
• ICT & Blockchain Consultant

©Howest College - University College West

Program

Semester 1

• Hardware and Desktop Operating Systems
• Databases
• Problem Solving
  • Cryptography Fundamentals
• Software Development I - Programming Fundamentals
• Web Development
• E-business
• Cyber Security Fundamentals

Semester 2

• Computer Networks
• Application Prototyping
• Software Development II - Object-Oriented Programming
• Web, Mobile, and Security
  • Server-side Scripting
  • Responsive Design
  • Web Pentesting
• Project Communication
• Project I - Programming Project
  • Project Management

Semester 3

• Operating Systems Concepts
• Information Systems
  • Information Modeling
  • Advanced SQL
  • NoSQL
  • Information Exchange
• Software Development III - Secure Object-OrientedArchitectures
  • n-tier Architectures
  • Secure Development
• Statistics and Decision Making
• Web Technology, Security and Honeypot
• Project II - Analysis and Development Project
  • Analysis and Business Case
  • IT Entrepreneurship
  • Technical Writing

Semester 4

• Windows and Linux Server
  • Windows Server Lab
  • Linux Server Lab
• Software Development IV (CCCP) - .NET Technology
• Network and System Pentesting
  • Ethical Hacker
• Forensic Analysis
• Practical Reverse Engineering and Malware Analysis
  • Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)
• Cybercrime
• Mobile Security
  • Multi-Factor Auth
  • Biometric Auth
  • Password Managers
• Data Privacy and IT Law
  • GDPR
  • NIS
• Project III - International Project

Semester 5

• Datacenter Technology and Security
• Windows and Linux Server Security
• Network and CCNA Security
• Security Management Threat and Risk Assessment
  • ISO 2700x
  • NIST
• Cryptography
  • Blockchain
  • Ransomware
  • Quantum Cryptography
• Emergent Security Techniques
  • 5G
  • Cyber Warfare
  • Industrial Security
  • Machine Learning
• ICT Management
  • IT Governance
  • Professional Communication
  • Cobit 2019
• Project IV - Security Project

Semester 6

• Internship
• Bachelor Thesis
• Seminars, Study Visits and Challenges

©Howest College - University College West

Research

Howest has built a solid reputation in practice-oriented scientific research, services, and continuing education, always with a focus on the professional field both national and international. This translates into national, European, and international projects in applied research, always at the request of and for private and public organizations.

Testimonial

Alumna Annika ten Velden

"After my Master's in Criminology, I was looking for a dedicated education in IT-security and forensic investigation. The bachelor program Cyber Security Professional corresponded perfectly with my needs.

As my background was in social sciences rather than in technical sciences, I did expect a challenge. As Howest focuses on the practical rather than the theoretical and offers extra support where necessary, I achieved my degree without a problem.

Because of the profound knowledge acquired in IT-security – from pentesting to forensic analysis – I received many job offers. My work at NVISO for the last five years has focused on incident response and forensic investigations. I still have regular contact with Howest and can tell from its trainees that the education continuously evolves and is adapted to the needs of the employer community."

Bruges, the perfect city for students

Did you know that the historic city center is a prominent UNESCO World Heritage Site? You share the city with tourists from all over the world and that mix works perfectly.

Bruges “the fair city” offers a wide plethora of pastimes. Relax on a terrace, an exercise in the green spaces, see the canals, or enjoy one of the many restaurants or bars with your fellow students. An inspiring city for students!