The Springboard+ initiative gives an opportunity to job seekers to access relevant courses in CIT free of charge
Cybersecurity Management (PGCert)
OVERVIEW
The PGCert in Cybersecurity Management programme is a Springboard funded programme, which will prepare a broad range of graduates for roles as cybersecurity professionals with leadership responsibilities within industry. This programme is a 40 credit programme takes place over 9 months (September to May/June) and it can directly progress to the PGDip in Cybersecurity Management, by studying an additional 20 credits (September to December). From the PGDip, it is possible to progress to the MSc in Cybersecurity Management with a 30 credit research project (January to September) after the PGDip is completed.
This programme will be delivered 100% online, and the MSc can be completed over two academic years with the majority of modules delivered during the evening using the state of the art eLearning platform at Munster Technological University (MTU) Cork. Further information can be found in the online schedule.
This programme is targeted at Business, Humanities and Arts graduates who would like to move into roles with cybersecurity responsibilities. The programme is also suitable for those from technical backgrounds who would like to develop the management skills necessary to move into a leadership role in cybersecurity.
WHAT IS A CYBERSECURITY MANAGER?
Cybersecurity managers must ensure that the risk to information assets is minimised by implementing well designed security measures. They are responsible for staying abreast of the threat landscape to prevent (and design policy to respond to) malicious actors. They implement cybersecurity management frameworks and ensure that all employees and vendors operate within these frameworks. They have governance responsibilities ensuring cyber risks are identified and quantified according to well defined metrics and implement systems that mitigate these risks. Cybersecurity managers also need to have the digital skills in enterprise security architecture to work with teams in procuring and developing IT systems, the transversal skills to determine what risks/vulnerabilities/attacks these systems identify/detect/prevent, the management skills to be capable of prioritising cybersecurity resources and will have leadership skills in working with diverse teams. In order to perform the role required learners will undertake a series of modules designed to develop these skills.
IRELAND'S CYBERSECURITY CAPITAL
Cork and Ireland is currently positioning itself as a cybersecurity centre of excellence and is home to some of the leading cybersecurity companies such as AlienVault, Cylance, eSentire, FireEye, Forcepoint, GetVisibility, IBM, VMware, Johnson Controls, Keeper Security, McAfee, McKesson, Nuix, Qualcomm, SmartTech, Solarwinds, Sonicwall, Sophos, TransUnion, Trend Micro, UTRC. These companies currently operate across a diverse range of sectors such as banking, IoT, Telcom, engineering and automotive and require a workforce with a broad range of cybersecurity skills to contribute to various roles within their respective organisations. However, the challenge is that there is a dire shortage of cybersecurity professionals which is placing our digital economy at risk because we do not have enough skilled personnel to protect, respond and mitigate against security threats and breaches.
STAGES
Postgraduate Certificate of Science (PGCert) in Cybersecurity Management (40 ECTS)
An additional 20 credits can be completed to achieve the PGDip in Cybrsecurity Management (60 ECTS in total).
A student who receives a PGDip in Cybersecurity Management, and who, after some time, decides that (s)he wishes to complete the MSc, has the option of completing the 30-credit project and then presenting themselves for the MSc in Cybersecurity Management.
DURATION AND DELIVERY
9 months (2 semesters) is the minimum duration to complete. The learning will be delivered online primarily during the evening using Munster Technological University (MTU) Cork state of the art elearning platform.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Entry to the PGCert in Cybersecurity Management will require a minimum of a 2.2 (or equivalent) in a Level 8 Honours Degree. Applicants who do not hold a Level 8 degree but have a Level 7 qualification and significant industrial experience will be considered on a case by case basis. Please see here for Springboard eligibility requirements.
Please ensure you include all academic documents with your application to Springboard as your application cannot be fully processed until all documents are uploaded. Required documents are below:
1. Up-to-date CV
2. Cover Letter (approx. 200 to 300 words) stating why you are applying for the programme
3. Academic transcripts
AWARD
Postgraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management (Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications).
Fees
The fees for the Postgraduate Certificate is €6000. However, if you are offered a place on the springboard programme, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of 10% (€600) as Springboard covers 90% of the costs. In some cases, your employer may pay the 10% deposit. Please see Springboard website for further details on fees and eligibility.
Please note that Springboard does not cover any portion of the fees for the PGDip/MSc continuation.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS
Applications for September 2025 are now open. Applications will close when all places are filled which will be before August 30th 2025.
enquiries
Ms Tríona McSweeney
Department of Computer Science
triona.mcsweeney@mtu.ie
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
The Department of Computer Science at MTU Cork is one of the largest Computer Science departments in Ireland. We offer a range of modern undergraduate programmes and a host of opportunities at master’s degree and at PhD level. Our industry engaged programmes match the needs of our economy and have an excellent reputation for producing the most employable computer science graduates in the region. These highly skilled graduates are in huge demand and contribute significantly to the development of the region. As technology plays a greater role in our society the growth in the demand for these graduates will continue year after year.
