KV6016 - Data Security and Governance

What will I learn on this module?

This module is set in the context of today’s society and the organisations within. Social behaviour, often in the virtual environment, creates a range of ethical issues centering on information security and governance. In addition to exploring these social and ethical issues, legal and regulatory frameworks that have been developed in recent years to try to address these issues are examined. You will also learn about security in organisations and will be introduced to a range of common threats and countermeasures. Topics include basic definitions of terminology alongside practical and theoretical frameworks to help you identify key governance and security issues and explore potential preventative measures. You will be covering terms such as ‘governance’ and ‘security’, frameworks which include the information life cycle, regulations and guidelines relating to professional conduct, privacy and data protection,

How will I learn on this module?

Lectures will be used to introduce the different topics to be covered. This includes interactive exercises. If you are a part-time student, you will learn at work, through reflecting on your experiences and applying your knowledge from the module to your practice in the workplace, and you will receive guidance on practical exercises. There will be a range of seminars to explore and develop the topics further; including tutor and student led seminars. The use of debates will encourage further research, examining different viewpoints, development of logical argument and critical thinking as well as enhancing your ability to support a range of organisations in their aim to ensure transparency, ethical behaviour, compliancy and data security. Materials will be hosted on the eLearning Portal. Lectures will include links to related online material. The workplace (as a part-time student, a student having completed a placement or as someone in part-time employment alongside your full time studies) provides opportunities for you to put your own knowledge and skills into practice (as well as thinking back to earlier experiences) and review your learning with your manager/mentor.

The standard delivery is Newcastle Campus class room based, however if circumstances or employer contracts indicate you need to study remotely then you will be able to attend the classes virtually. In this case, you will follow lectures via webcasts and attend online seminars / workshops. The use of Blackboard and Panopto will be employed to enable this.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Some of the seminar time is scheduled specifically for assessment briefings and question and answer sessions, and opportunities to gain formative feedback. These seminars could be to enable you to ask questions about how to proceed or to have feedback sessions after your student-led activities in order to help you evaluate your progress and identify what needs to be done for improvement. There is also opportunity for you to arrange to have either telephone tutorials or meetings with your tutors, either individually or in small groups. Queries and concerns may also be handled by e-mail. In addition, the university library offers an Ask4Help service for you if you are having difficulty or would like some advice when undertaking your own research on the module. IT support is also on hand if you are experiencing difficulties accessing university systems.

If you are studying for a Degree Apprenticeship additional support will be available from your workplace mentor who will encourage you to reflect upon how your work and studies interact and complement one another

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1 You will be able to identify and apply relevant laws and regulations, recognising their significance for dealing with key ethical issues surrounding the creation, storage and dissemination of, and access to information, using ICTs (information and communication technologies), in the context of a globalised ‘information society’.
ML02 You will be able to identify the most common cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities encountered by organisations, and develop an understanding of technologies and methods to protect an organisation against these threats and vulnerabilities.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO3 You will be able to critically evaluate a wide range of online behaviours in terms of their security and ethical impacts and dilemmas, and consider what might be the most ethical and professional response to such situations.
MLO4 You will be able to evaluate and develop logically thought out, complex ethical arguments, ensuring that these are clearly supported by evidence from trustworthy sources


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO5 You will be able to reflect and make judgments on your own learning and professional development and contribute to helping your peers do the same.

How will I be assessed?

1. Debate report with finalised debate script (ML01, ML02, ML03, ML04, ML05, ML06) – 1500 words

The feedback you obtain for the in-class and online activities will take the form of formative assessment, for you to then incorporate what you have learned from this, into your subsequent work. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a practice debate to familiarise yourself with the process (and again to obtain formative feedback).

Feedback will be given both in written form (electronically) and spoken – this could be in a class scenario, or as pre-recorded audio feedback, or as individual written feedback.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

Technological developments often move at a pace that makes it difficult for laws and counter-crime technologies to keep up. Even as you study this module there will be new ethical, and legal and technical challenges for even the most experienced of professionals. Debates on the most appropriate ethical, technical, organisational and professional approach continue to grow more complex. The module will be enriched by the research that you will do for your assessment portfolio, which will involve the development and exchange of debating arguments. Through exchanging formative feedback with your peers, and receiving formative feedback from your tutors, you will become better able to judge your own performance and identify both strengths and weaknesses emerging through attempting the different parts of your assignment.

Course info

UCAS Code GN50

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Computer and Information Sciences

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024 or September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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