Why Bachelor of Cyber Security?
How do organisations rollout and manage cybersecurity? What plans are in place to respond to attacks? How can they obey relevant laws and promote a culture of data security?
As cybercrime increases, the demand for digital protection rises in the workplace. Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) are three essential building blocks for a successful cybersecurity business plan.
Learn to take a strategic approach. Our Bachelor of Cyber Security majoring in Governance, Risk and Compliance provides you with valuable skills to carry out thorough risk assessments, spot vulnerabilities and create customised cyber security policies that meet an organisation’s goals.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Cyber Security majoring in Governance, Risk and Compliance will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of cyber security measures and responsible management practices.
With foundational expertise in cyber security, you will learn to analyse frameworks, assess risks, identify vulnerabilities and create effective cyber security policies for the digital workforce.
Gain insight into Australian and international cyber security law and regulations to safeguard organisations from penalties. Through practical exercises, develop the skills to promote data security awareness and protect organisational assets. In your final year, you will apply your well-rounded knowledge to a real-world capstone project and prepare for a career as a strategic cyber security expert.
Key features
Develop essential skills in analysing cyber security frameworks and assessing suitability for users.- Learn to conduct comprehensive risk assessments and identify threats.
- Tailor cyber security policies to specific business needs.
- Study the ethical and legal aspects of cyber security.
- Increase employability by gaining skills in project management, teamwork and communication.
- Complete real-life scenario projects in collaboration with industry experts.
What you'll learn
In the Bachelor of Cyber Security majoring in Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices essential to protecting digital information and systems. Starting with foundational courses, you’ll explore the latest technological advancements and develop fundamental skills. Explore structured data and information technology systems – learning how to manage and secure data within various IT infrastructures.
As you progress, you’ll build a strong foundation in cybersecurity through courses that cover threat identification, mitigation strategies and networking protocols. You'll also develop the analytical skills needed for systems design and cryptographic applications.
Throughout your studies, you’ll focus on the legal, ethical and human aspects of cyber security. Courses such as Cyber Law, Policy and Privacy and Human, Organisational and Societal Aspects will help you understand the broader implications of cyber security practices. You’ll also learn about risk management and assurance and gain insights into system design.
Advanced topics include Big Data, Machine Learning and Data Visualisation for Cyber Security, where you’ll explore how these technologies can enhance security measures. A course in security operations and incident response will prepare you to manage and respond to security breaches effectively. You’ll also study cyber governance and planning, focusing on strategic approaches to cyber security management.
Other courses will deepen your understanding of the strategic and geopolitical dimensions of cyber security while ensuring you stay current with the latest trends and challenges in the field.
A practical capstone project will allow you to apply your knowledge to real-world cybersecurity problems, while the emphasis on professional skills will round out your education and prepare you for your future career.
Majors
Our Bachelor of Cyber Security is also available with a major in Technology.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 72 units for all Core courses, and
- Either:
- 48 units for one Major from Major, or
- 48 units from Discipline courses, and
- 12 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for Electives
Complete 72 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Information Technology Systems
|
Course code
INFO1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Problem Solving and Programming
|
Course code
COMP1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Structured Data
|
Course code
COMP1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Computing Innovations in the Modern World
|
Course code
COMP1015
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
System Requirements
|
Course code
INFO1013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Security Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cyber Law, Policy and Privacy
|
Course code
INFO2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Human, Organisational and Societal Aspects
|
Course code
INFO2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Communication and Teamwork
|
Course code
INFO2032
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Security Operations and Incident Response
|
Course code
INFO2042
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Business for IT Professionals
|
Course code
COMP3006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Problem Solving and Programming
|
Course code
COMP1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Structured Data
|
Course code
COMP1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Computing Innovations in the Modern World
|
Course code
COMP1015
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Technology Systems
|
Course code
INFO1012
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
System Requirements
|
Course code
INFO1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Security Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Network Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1011
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Cyber Law, Policy and Privacy
|
Course code
INFO2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Human, Organisational and Societal Aspects
|
Course code
INFO2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Assurance and Risk Management
|
Course code
INFO2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Professional Communication and Teamwork
|
Course code
INFO2032
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Big Data, Machine Learning and Data Visualisation for Cyber Security
|
Course code
INFO1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Systems and Architecture
|
Course code
INFO1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Security Operations and Incident Response
|
Course code
INFO2042
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyber Governance and Planning
|
Course code
INFO1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Threat, Vulnerability and Risk Analysis
|
Course code
INFO1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyber Power, Strategy and Diplomacy
|
Course code
INFO1005
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Business for IT Professionals
|
Course code
COMP3006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Emerging Topics in Cyber
|
Course code
INFO1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 1
|
Course code
INFO3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 2
|
Course code
INFO3902
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Big Data, Machine Learning and Data Visualisation for Cyber Security
|
Course code
INFO1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Information Systems and Architecture
|
Course code
INFO1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cyber Governance and Planning
|
Course code
INFO1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Threat, Vulnerability and Risk Analysis
|
Course code
INFO1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cyber Power, Strategy and Diplomacy
|
Course code
INFO1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Emerging Topics in Cyber
|
Course code
INFO1006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Network Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Information Assurance and Risk Management
|
Course code
INFO2003
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Problem Solving and Programming
|
Course code
COMP1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Structured Data
|
Course code
COMP1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Computing Innovations in the Modern World
|
Course code
COMP1015
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Technology Systems
|
Course code
INFO1012
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
System Requirements
|
Course code
INFO1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Security Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Network Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1011
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Cyber Law, Policy and Privacy
|
Course code
INFO2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Human, Organisational and Societal Aspects
|
Course code
INFO2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Assurance and Risk Management
|
Course code
INFO2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Professional Communication and Teamwork
|
Course code
INFO2032
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Big Data, Machine Learning and Data Visualisation for Cyber Security
|
Course code
INFO1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Systems and Architecture
|
Course code
INFO1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Security Operations and Incident Response
|
Course code
INFO2042
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyber Governance and Planning
|
Course code
INFO1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Threat, Vulnerability and Risk Analysis
|
Course code
INFO1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyber Power, Strategy and Diplomacy
|
Course code
INFO1005
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Business for IT Professionals
|
Course code
COMP3006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Emerging Topics in Cyber
|
Course code
INFO1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 1
|
Course code
INFO3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 2
|
Course code
INFO3902
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 1
|
Course code
INFO3901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 2
|
Course code
INFO3902
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Problem Solving and Programming
|
Course code
COMP1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Structured Data
|
Course code
COMP1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Computing Innovations in the Modern World
|
Course code
COMP1015
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Technology Systems
|
Course code
INFO1012
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
System Requirements
|
Course code
INFO1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Security Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Network Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1011
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Cyber Law, Policy and Privacy
|
Course code
INFO2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Human, Organisational and Societal Aspects
|
Course code
INFO2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Assurance and Risk Management
|
Course code
INFO2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Professional Communication and Teamwork
|
Course code
INFO2032
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Big Data, Machine Learning and Data Visualisation for Cyber Security
|
Course code
INFO1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Systems and Architecture
|
Course code
INFO1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Security Operations and Incident Response
|
Course code
INFO2042
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyber Governance and Planning
|
Course code
INFO1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Threat, Vulnerability and Risk Analysis
|
Course code
INFO1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyber Power, Strategy and Diplomacy
|
Course code
INFO1005
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Business for IT Professionals
|
Course code
COMP3006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Emerging Topics in Cyber
|
Course code
INFO1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 1
|
Course code
INFO3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 2
|
Course code
INFO3902
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units comprising:
- 12 units from University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Problem Solving and Programming
|
Course code
COMP1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Structured Data
|
Course code
COMP1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Computing Innovations in the Modern World
|
Course code
COMP1015
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Technology Systems
|
Course code
INFO1012
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
System Requirements
|
Course code
INFO1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Security Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Network Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1011
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Cyber Law, Policy and Privacy
|
Course code
INFO2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Human, Organisational and Societal Aspects
|
Course code
INFO2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Assurance and Risk Management
|
Course code
INFO2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Professional Communication and Teamwork
|
Course code
INFO2032
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Big Data, Machine Learning and Data Visualisation for Cyber Security
|
Course code
INFO1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Systems and Architecture
|
Course code
INFO1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Security Operations and Incident Response
|
Course code
INFO2042
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyber Governance and Planning
|
Course code
INFO1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Threat, Vulnerability and Risk Analysis
|
Course code
INFO1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyber Power, Strategy and Diplomacy
|
Course code
INFO1005
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Business for IT Professionals
|
Course code
COMP3006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Emerging Topics in Cyber
|
Course code
INFO1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 1
|
Course code
INFO3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 2
|
Course code
INFO3902
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
The global demand for cyber security specialists is set to soar in the coming years. With the increasing adoption of cloud technologies, the rise of generative AI and stricter government regulations, the cyber security industry is experiencing significant growth. This growth – coupled with persistent skills shortages – is creating attractive job opportunities and competitive salaries for qualified cyber security experts.
Our Bachelor of Cyber Security majoring in Governance, Risk and Compliance opens doors to a wide variety of roles that blend technical expertise with law, risk management, communication and psychology. You could pursue a career as a data privacy officer, ensuring company data is protected through implementing strategies and policies. Maybe you will become an IT risk manager, developing and rolling out risk management frameworks to protect organisations and ensure their compliance with key regulations.
Within cybersecurity, you can pursue various career paths including:
- Cyber security analyst
- Information security officer
- Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) specialist
- Risk management consultant
- Compliance manager.
Industry trends
The Australian government's Cybersecurity Strategy 2023-2030 aims to bolster the country’s cyber resilience and global leadership. This contains governance, risk and compliance objectives. The government plans to invest AUD$23.4 million in a ‘Cyber Wardens Program’ (Australian Government, 2023). This will provide free online training to small businesses to enhance cyber safety practices. AUD$7.2 million has also been allocated to establish a voluntary cyber health program, offering free, tailored cyber security assessments to businesses (Australian Government, 2023). To further support small businesses, AUD$18.6 million has been invested in a digital solutions program to increase the adoption of digital tools to reduce cyber risks (Australian Government, 2023).
These initiatives underscore the growing importance of robust governance, risk management and compliance practices to safeguard businesses in the digital age.
Accreditation
This program is provisionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Graduates are eligible for membership with the ACS and are recognised internationally through the Seoul Accord.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
