Increasingly, computer networks cannot be considered without the important issue of security; without secure networks, businesses, commerce and communications would all fail. This course addresses the need for modern computer network professionals. Students cover topics such as current and future internet protocols, programming networked services and securing these systems. The University of Essex offers a strong practical element through laboratory programmes in software engineering and in computer networking; laboratory work in security includes unique environments where the techniques of the attackers can be observed and stopped using specialist security tools.

The School is a community of scholars leading the way in technological research and development. Today’s computer scientists are creative people who are focused and committed, yet restless and experimental. The work is driven by creativity and imagination as well as technical excellence. That's why the University of Essex is ranked 6th in the UK for research power in computer science (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).

This course is currently being considered for Partial CEng/IEng accreditation by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Formal accreditation can only be granted after an accreditation visit and approval from the IET’s Academic Accreditation Committee.