Higher Diploma in Cybersecurity (Testing and Compliance)

Introduction
Higher Diploma in Cybersecurity (Testing and Compliance) ,This programme is specializing in providing vocational and professional training  in Cybersecurity to meet the demand for talents in this profession.
The programme is subsidised by ESGS
Promotion of innovation and technology is everywhere nowadays as internet services are becoming more popular and facilities are getting more advanced.  Individuals, companies and all aspects of our society are enjoying the benefits brought by this new global norm.  Yet, people have to face the challenges such as risks and threats that come with the advantages, as the number and categories of cyberattacks and cybercrimes keeps on surging.  To combat against these issues, the HKSAR government is considering to enact a new law in this respect, as our Chief Executive has announced earlier in her Policy Address.  The aforementioned legislation, once executed, can raise the standard of cybersecurity in Hong Kong and offer better holistic protection to Hong Kong and its citizens in this respect. Cybersecurity has come of age! As a forward-looking vocational and professional education and training (VPET) provider, HKCT launches a new Higher Diploma in Cybersecurity to meet the demand for talents in this profession.
 
This programme has been included in the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP). HKCT is the only institute offering higher diploma programmes with the SSSDP subsidy in the discipline of “Computer Science”.
 
For enquiries, you may contact us through WhatsApp
Professional Qualification

The programme is recognized by The Hong Kong Computer Society. Full-time mode students are qualified to be HKCS Student Member, and upon graduation, they may consider applying for Associate Member. 

Programme Features

Programme Features

  • Funding support: HKCT successfully sought around HK$20 million subsidy from ESGS (Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education) to develop this Programme and equip it with professional hardware and system platforms in order to provide students with the latest and vocational teaching & learning facilities.
  • State-of-the-art Cyber Labs: The newly established “Security Operations Centre” and “Cyber Range & Practice Centre” allow a wide range of teaching and learning activities such as scene simulation, competition, research, testing, drill and exercise. Students in these Centres can interact with virtual and cyber world status in real-time for experiments and training, such as network attack and defense, network invasion and maintenance, and even the embedment and detection of Trojan worm.
  • Cyber Range Interconnection: The cyber range has also achieved cyber range interconnection with the Yellow Crane Cyber Range of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, the Industrial Control Cyber Security Range of Guilin University of Electronic Technology, and the Jiaxing Cyber Range of Zhejiang University, which are located in the national network security base will help cooperate online simulation tests and competitions.
  • Strong Industry Ties: The programme is supported by renowned local and mainland technology companies including but not limited to China Unicom Global, Topsec Technologies Group, Alibaba Cloud, Sangfor Technologies which will provide exchange and training opportunities, internship and career development to our students in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
  • Renowned Academic Partners: Co-constructed the "Zhejiang-Hong Kong Cross-Border Data Security Research Center" with "The School of Cyber Science and Technology (SCST) at Zhejiang University" to work together on the talent exchange and development, and join hands to develop professional skills, product manufacturing, research, and technology exchange, etc.
  • Support by HKSAR Bureau: Commendation on facilities received from Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) and Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) etc.
  • Route to Professionalism: This Programme prepares students who wish to pursue related certificates such as CISSP, CISA and CISP in this profession

Featured Modules

  • Wireless and Mobile Security
  • Penetration Testing
  • Network Traffic Analysis
  • Cybersecurity Practice
  • Digital Forensics
  • Introduction to IT Audit
  • Cybersecurity Project

Full Programme Modules

Professional Teaching Facilities

Security Operations Centre
Cyber Range and Practice Centre
Programme Events and Promotion Video
Institute of Cyberspace Technology was established
First Hong Kong Cybersecurity Skills Competition Prize Presentation Ceremony
Visit to China Unicom (Hong Kong) Global Centre
Cybersecurity Seminar
MOU Signing with Zhejiang University
Simulated Cyber-attack and Defence Competition
Graduation Path

Graduates can apply for admission to overseas universities and local degree programmes including, for example, those offered by Hong Kong Metropolitan University, The Technological and Higher Education Institute (THEi) and Chu Hai College of Higher Education*. Graduates can also seek employment in the following roles# such as Cyber/ Information Security Officer, Junior Cyber/ R&D Engineer, Network Administrator/ Engineer, IT Officer etc.

Current Cybersecurity Job Positions and Career Pathway in Hong Kong:

  • Chief Information Security Officer/ Chief Security Officer/ Head of Cyber Security)
  • Information Security Executive/ Cyber Security Executive
  • Information Security Director/ Cyber Security Lead
  • Information Security Manager/ Cyber Security Manager, SOC Manager, Cyber Security Product Manager, Security Operations Center Manager
  • Information Security Analyst/ Cyber Security Engineer/ Pentester/ AWS Cloud Architect/ Security Consultant)
  • Entry Level Cyber Security Engineer

* Students are required to fulfill the graduation requirements of the Higher Diploma study and pass the admission interview of the bachelor programme. 
#Eligible to local students only

Internship

The programme is supported by numerous renowned mainland and local technology companies which can provide exchange and training opportunities, internship and career development in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to students:

  • China Unicom Global (Top 3 Telecommunications Provider of China in Hong Kong)
  • Topsec Technologies Group (Leading Cybersecurity Enterprise in China)
  • Alibaba Cloud (Top Cloud Service Provider in Asia-Pacific)

The programme also provides with Internship positions and working opportunities including:

  • Assistant R&D Engineer(China Unicom Global)
  • Junior Cyber Engineer(Topsec Technologies Group)
Programme Details
Mode of Study

Full Time

Teaching Mode

Face to face

Commencement of Study

Sep 2024

Duration

24 Months

Location
Entry Requirements

Local Students

  1. Attained Level 2 in 5 HKDSE subjects#, including Chinese and English [each applicant is allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning subjects at “Attained” level as equivalent to Level 2 in the application]^; or
  2. Pass in 1 A-Level or 2 AS-Level subjects in HKALE; and 5 passes in HKCEE including Chinese Language and English Language; or 
  3. Holder of Diploma Yi Jin/ Diploma of Applied Education; or
  4. Holder of Diploma for Tertiary Studies; or 
  5. Holder of Pre-Associate Degree; or 
  6. Holder of Diploma and 
    - the qualification should be awarded by one of the local or overseas recognised tertiary institutions / post-secondary colleges; and 
    - the length of study is at least 450 teaching hours; or 
  7. Aged 21 or above with 1 year working experience; or 
  8. Equivalent qualifications; 
    AND 
  9. Pass the admission interview. 

#If one of the five HKDSE subjects considered is “Citizenship and Social Development”, the general admission requirement shall be “Attained” instead of “Level 2”. 
^Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) is in general accepted as Chinese Language qualification, but it is not considered as an elective subject. 

Mainland Students

Attained satisfactory results in National University Entrance Examination (GaoKao), including English (English Language Public Examinations accepted by HKCT); or equivalent qualifications.

Mainland students meeting the above requirements can apply for the first year admission and need to pass the admission interview.

For more information, please visit Mainland Students Support and the e-Leaflet.

Programme Advisor and Teaching Team

Programme Advisor

Dr LUO Xiapu, Daniel
Associate Professor, Department of Computing, Faculty of Engineering, PolyU

Teaching Team

Prof. LAM Sum, Sam 
Former Division Head, Department of Engineering & Technology, HKU Space 
PhD Computing, over 20 years of teaching experience in tertiary institutions

Dr TANG Yajuan, Kathy 
Former Associate Professor, Shantou University 
PhD in Radio Physics, over 15 years of teaching experience at university 

Mr HO Chun Wah, Garrick 
Former Development Manager at ION Fidessa 
over 20 years of industrial experience in cybersecurity and financial technology

Prof. YI Chen, Alex
Senior Engineer

Year 1: $68,155 Year 2: $68,155

The tuition fee above is under 2024/25 Cohort.
This programme is subsidised under Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP). In the 2024/25 academic year, a subsidy of up to $22,910 per academic year will be provided to each eligible local student admitted to this non-laboratory-based programme. The first-year tuition fee after subsidy is $45,245. HKCT is the only institute to offer the higher diploma programme with the SSSDP subsidy in the discipline of “Computer Science”.
Assistance, Scholarships and Grants are eligible to local students only.

QF Level
The qualification of this programme is recognised under the Qualifications Framework in Hong Kong.
QF level:4
QR Registration No.:22/000321/L4
Registration Validity Period:1/9/2022 to 31/8/2025

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirement may apply for a 1-year Diploma of Applied Education (listed below) and articulate to this higher diploma programme.

Tuition fees and subsidies are to be reviewed and adjusted annually on various factors.
This programme is subsidised under Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP). In the 2024/2025 academic year, a subsidy of up to $22,910 per academic year will be provided to each eligible local student admitted to this non-laboratory-based programme. The first-year tuition fee after subsidy is $45,245. Only local students are eligible for the subsidy under SSSDP.