The Complete Guide to Study Cyber Security in Malaysia

This program presents the program of highly effective training in actions in conditions of cyber threats and data breaches. Students learn ethical hacking, network security, and digital forensics in 3 years, affiliated with Malaysian universities APU and UTM. Some of the jobs which graduates can seek include; A cybersecurity analyst, A cyber incident responder, Data security consultant.

Country

Malaysia

Duration

3 Years

Fees

$7,500+ Yearly

Field

Computer Science

Program Overview

Cybersecurity is a relatively newer but much more robust and in-demand field of education. It has emerged as a response to the rising threats and attacks on the data and information secured in the digital world. Cybersecurity is a field of study meant to combat the threats of cyber-attacks and data breaches. As technology continues to evolve and innovate, the need for professionals who can fight the threats to technology also is maximized. Cybersecurity education is focused on training individuals with the skillsets of handling sensitive data and information, ensuring they are secured in cyberspace, identifying any possible threats to their security, and knowing how to mitigate the threats and risks identified.

The scope of getting education in the field of Cybersecurity is massive. The students have several career advancement options in this field. Cybersecurity graduates can quickly pursue a career in various public and private sector organizations and work as penetration testers, Cybersecurity analysts, incident responders, security consultants, etc. These roles are integral for almost every industry and organization in today’s technological world, so the career options for a cybersecurity graduate are always open in most industries, such as finance, government, healthcare, etc. Given the continuous rise in technical innovations and advancements, there’s a significant chance for these career options to keep growing for Cybersecurity experts. There has been a major workforce gap of around 3.12 million professionals in the cybersecurity industry worldwide, reports the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC).

The courses commonly taught in any degree or diploma program in Cybersecurity include Introduction to Cybersecurity, Network Security, Ethical Hacking, Digital Forensics, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Information Security Management, and Secure Software Development. The top Universities of Malaysia offering a Cybersecurity degree or diploma program can be listed as follows :

1. APU
2. ⁠UTM
3. ⁠UKM
4. ⁠Nottingham Malaysia
5. ⁠MMU

Why Study Cybersecurity?

There are many reasons why studying Cyber Security could be your ideal academic move in today’s technological world; a few prominent among them can be described as follows:

Growing Demand: With technology innovating every day and rapidly integrating into every aspect of our lives, threats to the security of our data and information are also increasing, expected to rise to 10.3 trillion dollars by the end of 2025 and so is the need for Cybersecurity professionals who can combat the rising threats. Organizations from almost every industry around the globe need Cybersecurity experts who can help develop and execute the right Cybersecurity strategies and ensure the security of their sensitive information in a world where data breaches and cyber-attacks are becoming more common than ever.

Combat Cyber Attacks: With technological advancements becoming the center of this world, cyber-attacks and data breaches are becoming way too familiar. There’s some news of cyber incidents every day, and therefore, the need for professionals who can combat such attacks and threats has increased significantly. Thus, studying Cybersecurity can train students to deal with the global challenge of cyber-attacks and data breaches, and they can contribute to a digitally safe and secure environment worldwide. To cope with the growing need for cyber professionals, there has been a 33% hike in the number of institutions offering cybersecurity education from 2015 to 2018.

Intellectual Challenge: Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field of education that requires you to employ analytical thinking and a continuous urge for learning. Suppose you think you have that inside yourself. In that case, the desire to learn new things and implement them for the betterment of the world – the creativity to bring innovations into the world – Cybersecurity is certainly your field. It allows you to think out of the box by challenging your intellect with a newer problem every day.

Financial Rewards: Cybersecurity is a specialized education field requiring technical skills and talent. Not everyone can be an expert at handling cyber challenges. Therefore, cybersecurity experts are highly recognized and accredited around the world. They are highly in-demand professionals and are often offered significant financial rewards. The salaries are incredible, and careers are too lucrative for Cybersecurity graduates.

Why Study Cybersecurity in Malaysia?

There are several reasons you should study Cybersecurity in Malaysia. The best among them include the following:

Quality Education: Malaysia is known for being home to all the highly accredited and globally renowned Universities that offer the best Cybersecurity courses. Each of these courses and programs is accredited by professional global bodies such as the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), which ensures that quality education is offered to students who meet international standards. The curriculum has been rigorously developed with the latest developments in the world’s economy and upcoming trends in mind.

Affordable Tuition Fee: Unlike most educational institutions, Malaysian universities offer affordable fees. By ensuring the highest quality education and preserving global standards, Malaysian universities make themselves an attractive destination for students with high-end academic dreams.

Strategic Location & International Exposure: Located in the very central heart of Southeast Asia, Malaysia offers strategic access to almost every economically growing state. It is an easy-to-access study destination for students aiming to get a quality education abroad and simultaneously experience an international perspective of Cybersecurity.

Vibrant Student Life: Universities of Malaysia are known for offering vibrant campus lives for both local and international students. These all-inclusive educational centers welcome students from varying cultures, allowing them to engage with each other, enjoy multicultural festivities, and experience a fun-loving study environment where their academics are always complemented with the best extracurricular activities to ensure a balanced life.

Career Prospects

There are many promising and high-paying career choices for Cybersecurity graduates; the best among them can be listed as follows :

Cybersecurity Analyst : The core job responsibilities of a Cybersecurity analyst are to monitor the networks integrated into an organization, detect any data breaches occurring within the networks, and respond to those cyber threats promptly with effective mitigating strategies. Therefore, their job is to analyze and investigate cyber incidents and implement security measures to prevent any organization from potential cyber threats or attacks in the long run. A cybersecurity analyst can earn up to USD 103,590 per annum.

Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker): They are professionals responsible for testing the security of computer networks, systems, and programs by penetrating them as an ethical hacker. They are responsible for testing and evaluating a network or system for the possible vulnerabilities and weaknesses that may allow a malicious hacker to enter the system. By timely identifying the weaknesses and vulnerabilities, these penetration testers help an organization improve its systems and networks – ensuring there are no loopholes left for the hackers to enter or perform any malicious activity in the long run. They can make an average sum of $88,000 per year.

Security Consultant: core job role of a security consultant is to guide and advise organizations on the design, implementation, and management of an effective Cybersecurity system. They are responsible for assessing the security risks and threats associated with computer systems networks or organizations and developing mitigation and prevention strategies.

Incident Responder: The core role of an incident responder is to manage and coordinate an organization’s response to Cybersecurity incidents such as network intrusions, data breaches, and malware infections. They are responsible for conducting thorough investigations into security breaches, developing strategies to help contain the damages caused, and restoring the network to its normal operations as soon as possible.

Security Architect: Security architects are responsible for designing and building IT infrastructures and systems that are 100% secure against all kinds of cyber threats and attacks. Their role is to develop security controls and architectures, ensuring every integral security code has been integrated into them so that there’s no risk or threat to the security of a network or system.

Digital Forensics Analyst: The core job role of a digital forensics analyst is to conduct thorough investigations around security incidents and cybercrimes by collecting all the relevant information. They further engage in the assessment of collected data to determine the reasons and utilize specialized tools and techniques for uncovering evidence behind data breaches, cyber-attacks, and other malicious activities hurting the security of an IT system or network.

Program Duration

Undergraduate Programs

1. Bachelors in Cybersecurity (3-4 years typically) theres no program name this

Postgraduate Programs

1. Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity (1-2 years typically)
2. Doctorate (PhD) in Cybersecurity (3-5 years typically)

Entry Requirements

The general entry requirements set by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) are implied and followed by every professional University in Malaysia. They can be described as follows:

Undergraduate Programs

Academic Qualifications:

1. A-Levels (at least two passes)
2. Matriculation/Foundation (at least 2.00 CGPA)
3. Diploma (a course-relevant diploma with at least a 2.00 CGPA)
4. Unified Examination Certificate (at least five Bs)
5. STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) ( at least 2.00 CGPA)

English Language Proficiency:

1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
2. A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.

Post Graduate Programs (Masters' Degree)

Academic Qualifications :

1. A relevant bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.00 CGPA.

English Language Proficiency:

1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
2. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.

Postgraduate Programs (Doctorate – PhD)

Academic Qualifications :

1. A relevant master’s degree with at least a 3.00 CGPA.
2. A well-crafted and subject-relevant research proposal is to be submitted.

English Language Proficiency:

1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
2. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.

Fee and Costing

The fee structures for both undergraduate and postgraduate degree and diploma programs in Malaysia vary based on the program you’ve chosen, the institution you might be looking for, the duration of study, etc. However, the generic cost of a bachelor’s degree in Malaysia may be between 20,000 MYR and 70,000 MYR (an estimated 5,000 USD to 17,500 USD) a year.

Postgraduate programs, however, may cost a bit higher, ranging from 25,000 MYR to 80,000 MYR (an estimated 6,250 USD to 20,000 USD) a year. The range is often similar for both master’s and doctorate programs. However, the total expense of doctorate programs might vary based on the nature and duration of the research involved.

But the good news is that most Malaysian Universities offer scholarships and financial aid to needy students. Many flexible payment plans are also provided to help accommodate students without strong financial backgrounds but a desire for bright academic careers.

Accommodation

Accommodation facilities offered by Malaysian Universities are often excellent and versatile, suiting each student’s diverse needs and requirements. As a foreign student landing in an entirely new destination for studies, accommodation could be a significant issue for you. But you need not worry because most Malaysian Universities offer a wide range of options, including hostels, dormitories, and even spacious apartment residences. You can pick what suits your needs and comes under your budget, and boom – enjoy all the excellent facilities they offer along with the comfortable and budget-friendly accommodation.

The shared facilities and amenities usually include :

1. Study desks
2. Beds
3. Attached bathrooms
4. Fully functional kitchens or pantries include a microwave, electric kettle, stove, fridge, etc.
5. Laundry rooms
6. Socializing areas
7. Recreational activities
8. 24/7 security surveillance

Admission Procedure

The admission process for getting into Malaysian Universities typically comprises multiple steps, including submission of an application, verification of the documents, eligibility assessment, and, in some cases, entrance exams or interviews etc. While it can be overwhelming and tedious to handle all that pressure while preparing for your entrance exams and interviews, TJS Study Steps can be your savior and simplify the admission process like never before. Here’s how the experts from TJS Study Steps can help during each stage of the admission procedure and ease you from the hassle!

1. We have added featured university and program guides on our website that experts from the industry have prepared. These guides can help you pick the finest universities and programs from a widespread palate as per your academic goals and aspirations.
2. Filling out the lengthy application forms can be exhausting; our team’s experts know how to ease you from that hassle. They offer professional assistance to the students in filling out correct information and attaching the required documents with their applications without any error to ensure the admission process goes smoothly.
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5. If a university invites you to an interview or entrance exam, TJS can also assist you in your preparation and ensure you perform well and get selected.
6. Once you’ve secured admission at a university in Malaysia, the next step is to get a student Visa, and we also provide total guidance for the Visa application process.
7. Last but not least, TJS Study Steps ensures your well-being abroad. From booking the best flights at affordable rates to assisting you with a city tour, we help you adjust to the city.

The Complete Guide to Study Cyber Security in Malaysia

Country

Duration

Fees

Field

Navigation

Program Overview

Why Study Cybersecurity?

Why Study Cybersecurity in Malaysia?

Career Prospects

Program Duration

Entry Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

Post Graduate Programs (Masters' Degree)

Postgraduate Programs (Doctorate – PhD)

Fee and Costing

Accommodation

Admission Procedure

Navigation

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