Online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security

Online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security

POSTGRADUATE

Develop the skills to solve complex cyber security issues and pursue a successful career in the industry.

Student type:
Learning mode:
Online
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 9 months
Part-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$14,880 (2025 total)

Next intake:
January, April, July, October
Location:
Online
Learning mode:
Online
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 9 months
Part-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$14,880 (2025 total)

Next intake:
January, April, July, October
Location:
Online

Overview

According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), it's estimated that cyber security incidents cost Australian businesses $29 billion each year.

Cyber security is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital or cyber attacks. These attacks generally focus on accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive individual or business information, in order to extort money or interrupt business procedures for personal gain.

The Online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security will equip you with a deep understanding of scientific theories and practices in the field, empowering you to develop and communicate effective solutions to cyber security challenges.

You'll be introduced to the technical skills and experience required to transition into a career within cyber security, including computer security, encryption standards and cryptosystems, authentication mechanisms and risk and controls mechanisms.

Incorporating current best practices, emerging technologies, and real-world case studies, this industry-relevant course emphasises professional integrity and ethical conduct, ensuring that you are capable of designing and implementing sustainable, inclusive cyber security strategies.

Australian student visas

RMIT's online Graduate Certificate does not meet Australian student visa requirements. For an Australian student visa, you must have an on-campus place in a program of study.

Why study cyber security online at RMIT?

100% online

Get 24/7 on demand access to the course content, ensuring you don’t have to reduce your work or compromise your lifecycle.

Get hands on

Get hands on through structured activities and build out your project portfolio.

Become industry connected

Our courses are designed with industry partners to ensure what you learn is up to date and aligns with best practice.

Industry partners, enablers and supporters

This degree is closely integrated with industry and real-world problem solving as an integral part of the learning experience. Palo Alto Networks is a global cybersecurity company enabling teams and businesses to prevent cyber attacks with an automated approach that delivers consistent security across cloud, networks and mobile devices.

Palo Alto

Details

This graduate certificate is delivered wholly online. Over the duration of the course, you will experience a variety of approaches to teaching and learning.

Enjoy a supportive environment with peers and leading experts to practise concepts and apply new skills, while having the flexibility to study 100% online so you can study around your work and life commitments.

This course was built in collaboration with Palo Alto, the global cybersecurity leader who is continually delivering innovation to enable secure digital transformation—even as the pace of change is accelerating.

Our industry partnerships are instrumental in enriching our educational offerings and preparing our students for success in the dynamic and evolving job market.

The integration of industry partnership collaboration into our future degrees guarantees that our content remains highly relevant to current and emerging industry requirements. As a result, our students leave our programs armed with the knowledge they need to feel confident in their chosen career path.

4 subjects | 9 months full-time, 12 months part-time 

Expect 10–12 hours study per week, per subject, with each term comprising 10 weeks.

In this online graduate certificate, you will complete a total of 4 subjects—2 core subjects and 2 electives:

Core subjects (complete both)

  • Introduction to Cyber Security
  • Programming Fundamentals

Electives (choose 2)

  • Data Communication and Net-Centric Computing
  • Practical Data Science with Python
  • Digital Risk Management and Information Security
  • Ethical Hacking and Security Testing

Introduction to Cyber Security

This course covers the essentials of cyber security, including practices and technologies to protect digital assets from unauthorized access and threats. You'll explore concepts like risk-based security, cryptography, network security, and legal/ethical issues.

Programming fundamentals

This course introduces foundational programming skills, including understanding computer systems, components, and basic programming concepts. You'll learn to solve problems with algorithms and develop the skills necessary to create and maintain effective software solutions.

Data Communication and Net-Centric Computing

You'll gain an understanding of data communication and network technology, including principles, protocols, error handling, and emerging technologies. The course focuses on how these elements apply to software development in networked environments.

Practical Data Science with Python

This course provides hands-on skills for managing and analyzing data in various formats using Python. You'll cover data wrangling, modeling, transformation, and visualization, including applying machine learning tools for data analysis.

Digital Risk Management and Information Security

This course offers a management perspective on information security, covering risk management, protection of assets, and response strategies. It includes a work-integrated learning experience for applying knowledge in a simulated workplace.

Ethical Hacking and Security Testing

You'll learn practical skills for security testing, including monitoring traffic, testing secure applications, and identifying vulnerabilities in various systems. The course covers input validation, man-in-the-middle attacks, and secure software testing techniques.

Career

As a graduate of the Online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security, you'll be prepared to undertake roles such as:

  • cyber security advisor and assessor
  • cyber threat analyst
  • incident responder
  • intrusion analyst
  • malware analyst
  • penetration tester
  • vulnerability assessor
  • vulnerability researcher.

Entry requirements and admissions

To be eligible for the Online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security you must have: 

  • successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent oversees qualification)
    OR 
  • a minimum of 5 years (full-time equivalent) professional work experience in a related industry.  

If you wish to have industry or employment experience assessed as part of meeting the entry requirements you will need to provide a detailed CV/resume listing previous positions, dates of employment and position responsibilities; a statement from your employer confirming these details (or contact details of employer so RMIT can seek confirmation); and evidence of any relevant professional development undertaken.

International qualifications are assessed for comparability to Australian qualifications according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

You must meet the University’s minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

Recognition of previous work or study

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT University credit policy.

Applicants who have completed or partially completed a similar course at another institution (with entry criteria similar to this course) may be granted some credits or exemptions towards this course.

To be eligible for the Online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security you must have: 

  • successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent oversees qualification)
    OR 
  • a minimum of 5 years (full-time equivalent) professional work experience in a related industry.  

If you wish to have industry or employment experience assessed as part of meeting the entry requirements you will need to provide a detailed CV/resume listing previous positions, dates of employment and position responsibilities; a statement from your employer confirming these details (or contact details of employer so RMIT can seek confirmation); and evidence of any relevant professional development undertaken.

International qualifications are assessed for comparability to Australian qualifications according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

A minimum IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0; or equivalent.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Recognition of previous work or study

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT University credit policy.

Applicants who have completed or partially completed a similar course at another institution (with entry criteria similar to this course) may be granted some credits or exemptions towards this course.

Pathways

After completing the Online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security (GC036OP25), you are able to apply for the Master of Cyber Security and if admitted, carry over all credits archived in GC036OP25.

You will be exempted from completing the four (4) subjects (48 credit points) completed in GC036OP25 and will be required to complete an additional (12) subjects (144 credit points) as specified in the program structure in order to qualify for the Master of Cyber Security degree.

Credit outside of the above arrangements will be assessed consistently with the RMIT University credit policy. If you wish to apply for a credit transfer or recognition of prior learning, please refer to Apply for credit.

Fees

2025 tuition fees

  • AU$3,720 per subject
  • Total AU$14,880 for four subjects.

Fees apply to 2025 only.

Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF) based on your enrolment load, which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. Eligible local students can apply for an SA-HELP loan to defer payment of their SSAF.

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

Some students may be eligible to apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme. 

Visit our HELP loans page for lots of useful information about eligibility, how to apply and payment. You can apply for FEE-HELP once you have enrolled in a program.

HELP loans are not available to international students.

2025 tuition fees

  • AU$3,720 per subject
  • Total AU$14,880 for four subjects.

Fees apply to 2025 only.

Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF) based on your enrolment load, which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. Eligible local students can apply for an SA-HELP loan to defer payment of their SSAF.

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.