Protect yourself and the world, in today's digital society

The minor Cyber Security is designed to prepare you as a future Information Security Officer, to defend the digital well-being of a public or private organization. Cyber Security is a hot item in the national and international agenda, as the more our society becomes digital and interconnected, the more surface is created for online criminality. We work together on making this digital, interconnected society safe again.

Course content

Our minor allows Safety and Security students to deepen their knowledge mostly on the digital aspect of safety and security. Students with technical background in IT and robotics can broaden their knowledge by accounting for the security factor. In this minor we learn to identify and deal with cyber risks and elaborate on methodologies and countermeasures to mitigate them, focusing on applications to critical infrastructure. Cyber Security examines traditional methodologies to achieve security, but also focuses on identifying new trends, both in the threat side, and in the defense side. To devise any kind of defense, it is crucial to be able to detect timely and effectively when potential threats may exploit your vulnerabilities. This is where detection measures and Forensic methodologies play a vital role.

Our program is strongly based on the CISSP body of knowledge, which is the most globally recognized certification in the information security market. We also examine the role of Ethics, both in the development of countermeasures and as far as Privacy is concerned. For countermeasures, it is important to understand where defense ends and offense starts. This is something we need to learn to do ethically. Privacy is a fundamental human right and we need to design technologies, which protect and respect it, without compromising security.

Target Group

This is a minor intended for full-time students. Are you interested in information security, digital privacy, and want to learn how to apply these principles in a more interconnected than ever, online world? Then Cyber Security is the minor for you.

Accessibility
The minor is open for all HBO-studies, except for those who have direct overlap with the minor content (e.g., the Information Security specialization of HBO-ICT at Saxion), and under the condition that the prospective students have successfully completed their propaedeutic education. 

Language
It is a mix of Dutch and English, offered in one program, and NOT two different versions of the minor. You are expected to speak both Dutch and English.

Why this minor?
The minor Cyber Security is designed to prepare you as a future Information Security Officer, to defend the digital well-being of a public or private organization. Cyber Security is a hot item in the national and international agenda, as the more our society becomes digital and interconnected, the more surface is created for online criminality. We work together on making this digital, interconnected society safe again.

Course structure

This minor is worth 30 EC's, and it is offered and completed in 2 study quarters. In each quarter we incorporate three study approaches together with our study lines: a cognitive line, a research line, and a practical line. We aim to involve partners from industry in the performance and completion of the practical line courses, in order to keep them as realistic, up-to-date, and relevant as possible. In particular, we offer six (6) courses -three (3) per quarter- of 5 EC's each, as follows:

Quarter 1:
Cognitive line: Introduction to Cryptography
Practical line: Computer Forensics
Research line: Trends in Cyber Threats and Cyber Defenses

Quarter 2:
Cognitive line: Access Control and Detection Measures
Practical line: Risk Analysis (in collaboration with industry)
Research line: Cyber security consulting: giving strategic advice in a real life situation

Assessment methods

For optimal results, we use a combination of examination methods. The goal is to keep you active even when you are working on the cognitive courses, and this is the reason why we do not stop on a written exam. A written exam is indeed a part of your evaluation for the cognitive courses, but we also incorporate practical assessments, where you need to apply the knowledge you gained. The practical courses are examined with reports, or portfolio assessments, which capture better the independent work that you need to invest in them.

How do I apply?

The application process regarding the Kies op Maat minor at Saxion is a bit different than described at www.kiesopmaat.nl

How does it work?

Step 1: Download the learning agreement from the Kies op Maat website and let it sign by a member of the exam commission at your own educational institution ánd sign the document yourself.
Step 2: go to https://sis.saxion.nl/account# and fill in your personal data
Step 3: you will receive an automatic generated email from IAM including your username and password
Step 4: go the https://sis.saxion.nl, log on with your username and password which you have received from IAM and apply!
Step 5: After this we can process your application for a Kies op Maat minor at Saxion

Please note : in 'Upload documents' you are requested to upload some documents. The following documents we need:

• A copy of your valid passport or ID-card. No driving license!
• A copy of your propaedeutic diploma or a printout from the DUO diploma register. In case you do not have the propaedeutic diploma yet, we would like to receive an official statement from your educational institution in which they state that you will receive the propaedeutic diploma before the start of the minor
• Learning agreement, page 1, 2 and 3 (signed by a member of the exam commission of your own education institution and student)
• Original Proof of Payment for the study year 2024-2025 (available from June). You can request this proof from your educational institution, also if you pay in instalments. Your educational institution will email the Proof of Payment to Saxion.
  Deadline for handing in the original Proof of Payment is 2 weeks before the start of the minor.

If you have further questions, please let us know. You can contact Saxion Student Registration, 088 – 019 3000.