This program is offered as part/full time program for undergraduate that intended to continue their studies in NGN. The offered program is cross discipline and cross platform program. Next Generation Internet/Networking (NGN) is a broad term to describe some key architectural evolutions in telecommunication core and access networks that will be deployed over the next 5-10 years. The general idea behind NGN is that one network transports all information and services (voice, data, and all sorts of media such as video) by encapsulating these into packets but it is not just about a common transport network also creation/development of new technologies and innovative service architectures etc. This program endeavours to produce human resources with a postgraduate degree and scientist in the field of NGN by integrating R&D and industrial cooperation as part of this program and bridge the gap between academic and industries in NGN arena.

CYRES Research Program Research Thrusts

1. Human, Organizational & Regulatory Dimensions
• Cyber Risk Management and Governance
• Legal Frameworks, Policy, and Regulatory Compliance
• Human Factors, Behavior, and Cybersecurity Culture
• Digital Privacy, Ethics, and Online Rights
• Cybersecurity Education, Awareness, and Workforce Development
• Socio-technical Aspects of Cybersecurity and Digital Trust

2. Cyber Threats, Attacks & Defensive Strategies
• Malware, Exploits, and Emerging Attack Vectors
• Adversarial Techniques and Threat Actor Profiling
• Security Operations Centers (SOC), Threat Hunting, and Incident Response
• Digital Forensics and Threat Intelligence
• Cyber Deception, Honeypots, and Active Defense Strategies
• Cybercrime, Cyber Terrorism, and Hybrid Warfare

3. Systems and Platform Security
• Operating System and Virtualization Security
• Identity, Authentication, Authorization, and Access Control
• Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), Trusted Computing, and Hardware Security
• Applied Cryptography and Secure Protocols
• Blockchain Technologies and Decentralized Security Models
• Cloud-native Security and Containerization Security

4. Software, Application & Web Security
• Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC)
• Web, Mobile, and Cloud Application Security
• Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing
• Formal Verification and Model Checking for Security
• Supply Chain Security (Software and Hardware)
• Secure APIs, Microservices, and Middleware

5. Infrastructure and Network Security
• Enterprise, Cloud, and Network Security
• Network Defense, Monitoring, and Resilience Operations
• Secure System and Architecture Design
• Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Industrial Control System (ICS) Security
• Internet of Things (IoT) and Embedded Systems Security
• 5G/6G Security and Edge Computing Security
• Critical Infrastructure Protection (Energy, Transport, Healthcare, Finance)

6. Artificial Intelligence Security
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Threat Detection
• Robustness, Trustworthiness, and Security of AI/ML Models
• Explainable AI (XAI) in Security Contexts
• Adversarial Machine Learning and Model Evasion
• Generative AI Security (Deepfakes, Synthetic Media, and Data Poisoning)

7. Advanced Computing and Communication Technologies
• Computer Hardware and System Architectures
• Advanced Networking and Internet Protocols
• Satellite, Cellular, and Wireless Communication Systems
• Data Analytics, Engineering, and Data Infrastructure
• Quantum Computing, Post-Quantum Cryptography, and Quantum Communications
• High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Secure Distributed Systems

8. Resilience, Emerging Domains & Cross-Cutting Research
• Cyber Resilience, Recovery, and Business Continuity
• Space Systems and Autonomous Vehicle Security
• Bio-cybersecurity and Healthcare Data Protection
• Digital Twin and Metaverse Security
• Cross-border Collaboration, Standards, and International Cyber Norms

Expertise available in the following Centre: https://cyres.usm.my/ 

Applicants should possess one of the following:

Degree in Computer Science/Electric and Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering/Information Technology or equivalent

• A Master's degree in research mode; or
• A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 3.00/4; or
• A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 2.50-2.99/4 with additional requirements; or
• Bachelor’s degree in related area with minimum CGPA 3.67/4 (fast-track to PhD)

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

• A minimum score of 80 in Internet- Based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) ;or
• A minimum score of Band 6.0 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System);or
• A minimum score of 169 in Cambridge English: Advance (CAE);or
• A minimum score of 169 in Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE);or
• A minimum score of 59 in Pearson Test of English (PTE);or
• A minimum score of Band 4 in Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Exemption can be given if:

• English is the candidate's mother tongue or National Language; or
• The candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction is English

• Full-time : Min 4 semesters / Max 10 semesters
• Part-time : Min 6 semesters / Max 15 semesters

*NOT inclusive 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by Government of Malaysia

** Fees are subject to change