CYBER CRIME AND CYBER SECURITY - 2023/4
Module code: SOC3075
Module Overview
The study of cybercrime and cybersecurity not only represents one of the key emerging areas of research within contemporary criminology but is also a crucial problem of national policy and crime control. Recent (2016) data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales suggest that cybercrime may now be the most prevalent form of criminality in the UK and repeated breaches to key infrastructures across most jurisdictions have emphasized why it is has also become one of the main threats to international peace and security.
This module will introduce students to the key themes within the study of cybercrime and cybersecurity – including, offence types and their prevalence; typical victims and perpetrators; policing and control measures; varieties of cybersecurity responses and the ‘human’ problem in making these resilient.
Module provider
Sociology
Module Leader
MCGUIRE Michael (Sociology)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 6
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 106
Lecture Hours: 11
Seminar Hours: 11
Guided Learning: 11
Captured Content: 11
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Week 1 – Introduction
- Week 2 – Cyber dependent Crime (I) - Malware & Ransomware
- Week 3 – Cyberdependent Crime (II) - Bots
- Week 4 – Cyberenabled Crime Fraud
- Week 5 – Sexual Offending and Indecent Imagery
- Week 6 – Hate Speech & Trolling
- Week 7 – Stealing Ideas in the digital domain
- Week 8 – State and Corporate Sponsored Cybercrimes
- Week 9 – Cybersecurity – themes and methods
- Week 10 – Humans and other problems with Cybersecurity
- Week 11 – Cybercrime 4.0?
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Coursework | 2000 WORD ESSAY | 50 |
Coursework | COURSEWORK | 50 |
Alternative Assessment
A 2000 word essay can replace the Seen Exam if necessary
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
Learning Outcome
Assessed by
Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the ways in which different theories have sought to understand different types of cybercrimes
Essay and Exam
Use an advanced ability to make connections and distinctions between these different theories and to apply them to real world cases of cybercriminality and the cybersecurity response
Essay and Exam
Apply critical understanding to the ways in which issues and theories of cybercrime and cybersecurity intersect with policy and the operations of the criminal justice system
Essay and Exam
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- An essay of 2,000 words. Feedback will be provided to students both via written and verbal comments
- A one hour seen exam.
Formative assessment and feedback
- Verbal and written feedback will be provided to students on essay plans for assessment 1 & 2.
Module aims
- As learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | ||
001 | Have a systematic understanding of the ways in which different theories have sought to understand different types of cybercrimes | KC |
002 | Have an advanced ability to make connections and distinctions between these different theories and to apply them to real world cases of cybercriminality and the cybersecurity response. | KCT |
003 | Have a critical understanding of the ways issues and theories of cybercrime and cybersecurity intersect with policy and the operations of the criminal justice system. | KCP |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
- Foster an advanced ability to make connections and distinctions between these different theories and apply these to real world contexts of cybersecurity and cybercrime.
- Provide a systematic understanding of the ways in which different theories have sought to understand different types of cyber-criminality
- Develop a critical understanding of the ways cyber-criminality and cybersecurity intersect with public policy and the operations of the criminal justice system
The learning and teaching methods include:
Knowledge and understanding is fostered through lectures, seminars and workshops that guide students through relevant material and develop their capacity for critical thought. Students are encouraged to pursue deeper study independently through extensive reading and to apply learning to their own specialist substantive areas or interests. Teaching and learning consists of a mixture of lectures, seminars and applied case study exercises, Guest speakers with expertise in cybercrime theory and the implementation of cybersecurity measures will provide engagement with innovative and leading edge developments in cybercrime theory and the practical responses to preventing cybercrime
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: SOC3075
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Criminology and Sociology BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Criminology BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Law with Criminology LLB (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.