Computer Security is a new DTU programme which will benefit the public and private sectors alike. The programme comprises—among other things—a special competence course in cyber security, which the Danish Defence Intelligence Service’s cyber security centre, Copenhagen Finance IT Region (CFIR) and IBM have helped to realize.
This is the first time that DTU will offer a (Master’s) programme with a specialisation in IT and Internet security, and the first group of students in the Computer Security programme have just started. The study programme includes a special competence course in cyber security, which focuses on safeguarding Internet-connected IT systems. Thus, some of the future DTU graduates in information technology will boast special IT security competencies, and the Danish Minister of Defence, Nicolai Wammen, is pleased at the prospect of more IT security specialist graduates:
“We are seeing more and more cyber threats. The Internet is increasingly exploited to hack into, spy on and steal Danish intellectual property such as patented knowledge, research findings and business secrets. This threat must be taken seriously and to counter it, we need more Danish IT and Internet security specialists,” says the Minister of Defence.
According to the latest risk assessment from the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, Denmark is regularly exposed to intrusion attempts in various parts of the Danish information and communication technology infrastructure. As late as in June, the Danish police records fell prey to a full-scale hacker attack—an incident which is still being investigated.
“Both public and private enterprises as well as private households are using the Internet for an ever expanding range of applications, which is why it is essential that Denmark can offer state-of-the-art IT security handled by highly specialized professionals,” emphasizes Nicolai Wammen.
The organization of the competence course enables the students to select three consecutive courses and receive a special diploma in cyber security, which certifies their Internet security expertise.
“We collaborate with people from the industry who teach the students cyber security. The extensive experience of the lecturers ensures that the programme is not only is based on theory, but also on a practical level teaches the students to set up both physical and virtual security measures,” says Professor Lars Ramkilde Knudsen who together with Associate Professor Christian Damsgaard Jensen is responsible for the cyber security part of the programme.
Anette Broløs, CEO of the cluster organization CFIR, which helps drive innovation and growth in the Danish finance and IT sectors, says:
“CFIR has investigated the need for competence development within IT security in the finance and IT sectors, and the need is—not surprisingly—very large. That is why we are pleased with the collaboration with DTU on developing a new and in every way relevant competence programmes.”
The partners also count IBM which points out that this is a competence course offering perspectives from several stakeholders in the area.
“It is very pleasing to see how the private and public sectors have joined forces in a constructive partnership in relation to cyber security. It is important for Denmark that we develop our competences in this area as the demand will only increase in the future,” says Kim Aarenstrup, Security Industry Leader at IBM.