Cyber Security

Overview

This application-oriented MSc programme in Cyber Security, taught in English in Munich, focuses on real-world IT security challenges and practical solutions. Students select one of two specialisations—Technology or Management—so you can tailor your studies toward technical engineering skills or leadership and organisational aspects of cyber security. The course responds to growing industry demand for cyber professionals and prepares graduates for roles across companies and organisations facing digital threats.

What you'll learn

You will study the range of digital risks, threats, and vulnerabilities, gaining a clear understanding of how cyber attacks work and how to detect and prevent them. The curriculum covers essential technologies, strategies, and tools used in modern security practice, and it includes applied methods that leverage artificial intelligence. Emphasis is placed on translating theoretical knowledge into hands-on approaches.

Learning environment

Small class sizes encourage active participation and close interaction with professors who bring significant industry experience into teaching. Interdisciplinary courses help develop job-related soft skills alongside technical competencies, and the programme prioritises state-of-the-art, practice-oriented methods so you graduate ready for real-world security work.

Requirements (brief)

• Programme language: English
• Field: Computer Science (Cyber Security specialisation: Technology or Management)
• Location: Munich, Germany
• Specific entry criteria and application documents are not detailed here—please consult the university for exact admission requirements and deadlines.

This master's curriculum is delivered over three semesters and combines deep technical training with management and legal perspectives so you can work across the full cyber security lifecycle. In the first semester you build foundational knowledge—cryptography, systems and networks, system auditing and hardening, plus secure application development and a focus on the security life cycle. You also choose two electives from a broad menu that includes cloud hacking, cyber threat intelligence, human factors, technology ethics, container and Linux basics, web technologies and soft skills such as project management and communication.

The second semester expands into policy, privacy and advanced analysis. Core topics include legal aspects and privacy, requirements engineering and threat modeling, and a seminar on current cyber security topics. You then select a focus path: a technical track (options such as intrusion detection & digital forensics, system & network security, or AI methods) or a management track (options such as security maturity, governance & compliance, or security management). These choices let you tailor the program toward hands-on technical roles or leadership/compliance positions.

In the final semester you concentrate on operational readiness and applied research. Incident management and disaster recovery plus security considerations for applied domains (Industrial Internet, IoT, mobile and cloud, etc.) prepare you for real-world response and sector-specific security challenges. The program concludes with a master’s thesis and a final thesis examination, giving you the opportunity to investigate a specialized topic in depth and demonstrate independent research or applied engineering skills.

Key learning outcomes include:

• Mastery of cryptographic principles and secure system/network design
• Ability to audit, harden and secure applications across their lifecycle
• Capability to model threats, derive requirements, and design detection/forensics measures
• Understanding of legal, privacy, governance and compliance aspects of cyber security
• Skills in incident management, disaster recovery and securing diverse application domains
• Preparation for either technical specialist roles or managerial/governance positions through elective and focus-track choices

Program requirements (core modules and choices)

• Semester 1 core modules: Introduction to Cyber Security; Cryptography; Systems and Networks; System Auditing and Hardening; Application Development and Security Life Cycle
• Semester 1 electives: choose two from Cloud Hacking; Cyber Threat Intelligence; Human Factors in Cyber Security; Technology Ethics; Introduction to Docker; Linux Basics; Soft skills (e.g., Project Management, Storytelling, Communication); Web Technologies
• Semester 2 core modules: Legal Aspects & Privacy; Seminar: Current Topics in Cyber Security; Requirements Engineering and Threat Modelling
• Semester 2 focus module: choose a track
  • Technology track options: Intrusion Detection and Digital Forensics; System and Network Security; AI Methods
  • Management track options: Security Maturity; Security Governance and Compliance; Security Management
• Semester 3 modules: Incident Management and Disaster Recovery; Security Aspects in Application Areas (Industrial Internet, IoT, Mobile and Cloud, etc.); Master’s thesis and final thesis examination

Graduates will be equipped for roles across the cyber security landscape, from technically oriented positions (e.g. intrusion detection, digital forensics, system and network security, penetration testing) to management-focused roles (e.g. security governance, compliance and security programme management). The choice of a Technology or Management focus helps align your skill set with technical teams or leadership and compliance functions.

The strong practical orientation, applied projects and integrated soft‑skills training aim to make graduates attractive to companies and organisations seeking cyber security professionals capable of detecting, preventing and managing digital threats in real-world settings.