March 2, 2017
News release

How to defend cyber-attack - NMIT

Educating IT staff in the latest techniques to defend their companies against cyber-attack is being stepped up by Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT).

A post-graduate diploma programme is being offered in the institute’s Auckland campus to domestic as well as international students.

A “hack lab” in Auckland, with the technology to allow students to implement and test the latest IT security techniques will be part of the post-graduate teaching.

NMIT’s director of marketing and international development, Virginia Watson, says increasing corporate and government concerns about IT security and safeguarding data has sparked development of the Post Graduate Diploma of Information Technology qualification (PGDipITSM).

“A survey last year by Pricewaterhouse Coopers found that only about half of large corporates have security standards for suppliers or qualified anti-hacking staff and that’s clearly a major opportunity for employment education.”

It’s estimated by the New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre that cyber-attacks on New Zealand computers and networks have more than doubled in five years. The global cost of cyber-crime has been put at $600 billion a year.

The Government has said that one in five New Zealanders were affected by cyber-crime in 2015/16.

NMIT’s Head of Department of Arts, Media and Digital technology Mary-Claire Proctor says the NMIT programme meets a gap in the market by not only teaching the technical aspects of cyber security but also providing students with leadership skills and managing policies and people.

“As with all our programmes, this one is practically-based so that graduates can hit the ground running while part-time students who are working can be applying lessons as they go.”

The NMIT Post-Graduate Diploma in IT Security Management has been developed by staff with experience in international IT security and digital forensics programmes. It’s aimed at undergraduates seeking a pathway into IT work or people already working in the IT sector looking for a move into managerial roles. “

NMIT is hosting information sessions for prospective students on Friday, April 7 from 12-1.30pm and again from 4-5.30pm at NMIT Global Campus, 42 Upper Queen Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland.

ENDS

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