CYBERCRIME AND CYBERSECURITY - 2025/6
Module code: SOCM051
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 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 95
Lecture Hours: 11
Seminar Hours: 11
Guided Learning: 22
Captured Content: 11
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Indicative content includes:
Introduction
Cyber dependent Crime (I) - Malware & Ransomware
Cyberdependent Crime (II) - Bots
Cyberenabled Crime- Fraud
Sexual Offending and Indecent Imagery
Hate Speech & Trolling
Stealing Ideas in the digital domain
State and Corporate Sponsored Cybercrimes
Cybersecurity – themes and methods
Humans and other problems with Cybersecurity
Cybercrime 4.0?
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Coursework | ESSAY 1 | 40 |
Coursework | ESSAY 2 | 60 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
Learning Outcome
Assessed by
1,2,3,4,5
- 2 x 2,000 word coursework
1,2,3,4,5
- Formative essay plans and proposals
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Two coursework of 2,000 words. Feedback will be provided to students both via written and verbal comments
Formative assessment and feedback
- Proposals and plans for the summative assessments. Verbal and written feedback will be provided to students.
Module aims
- Define the key threats to digital networks posed by cybercriminals
- Evaluate the effectiveness of cybersecurity response to such threats
- Consider the key policing strategies for managing cybercrime
- Identify how appropriate existing legal frameworks might be for prosecuting and punishing cybercriminals
- Critically analyse the explanatory power of available theoretical frameworks within criminology when applied to cybercrime
- Offer a practical understanding of cybercrime prevention
- Develop skills in formulating case study evidence for cybercrime and cybersecurity
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | ||
001 | Acquire a systematic understanding of the ways in which different theories have sought to understand different types of cybercrimes | KC |
002 | Develop 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 | KC |
003 | Develop 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 |
004 | Understand the options for digital security and the successes and failures of current approaches | KCPT |
005 | Be able to evaluate research in the field of cybercrime, using materials from a range of disciplines such as criminology, law and cybersecurity | KCPT |
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 theories evidence which apply to real world contexts of cybersecurity and cybercrime.
Knowledge and understanding of this and the ways cyber-criminality and cybersecurity intersect with public policy and the operations of the criminal justice system is fostered through lectures and seminars 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: SOCM051
Other information
The Department of Sociology is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in all these areas, as highlighted throughout this module descriptor. A summary of how this is achieve for each of the five key pillars is provided below:
Digital Capabilities
- Understanding how digital networks function
- Appreciating how to make digital security more effective
Employability
- Gaining practical experience for work in information and cybersecurity
Global and Cultural Capabilities
- Developing understanding of global responses to network security
- Enhancing understanding of cultural factors in cyber offending
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Public Affairs MSc | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Cyber Security MSc | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Cyber Security with Professional Postgraduate Year MSc | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Criminology (Cybercrime and Cybersecurity) MSc | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% 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 2025/6 academic year.