DAS ETH in Cyber Security
Broaden your horizons, deepen your knowledge and get ready to take on one of our modern society’s vital challenges. Today more than ever, cyber security is a linchpin on which our increasingly digital world revolves.
With a DAS in the ETH Cyber Security continuing education programme, you will deep dive into a variety of cyber and information security topics from a computer science point of view, allowing you to become an expert in a field where demand far outstrips supply in qualified personnel even today.
The application window for the DAS ETH in
Cyber Security is now open
Apply for the Autumn Semester 2024.
Cyber Security has never been so important
As with everything, there are downsides to digitalization, and cyber-attacks are very prominent among them. In practically every line of business they pose severe threats. When valuable data is compromised or operational processes are disrupted, the resulting economic and reputational damage can be crippling. From a business perspective, investments in digital security are of the highest priority. In consequence, the already high demand for information and cyber security specialists is likely to increase even further in the future.
The DAS ETH in Cyber Security programme in a nutshell
The attendees of the programme benefit from the broad range of research at ETH on cyber security related topics. With the possibility to choose from a multifaceted set of graduate courses, they gain a deep-set understanding and specialized know-how of the technical issues related to cyber security. To complement the more technical courses, the set of electives includes additional strategy-oriented courses provided by the center for security studies.
Target audience
This programme targets IT professionals with a strong background in computer science such as engineers, enterprise or software/application architects, security response teams, operations and infrastructure specialists, consultants or solution engineers. They gain the necessary technical understanding to actively participate in building, implementing and maintaining secure digital processes, from interactive web-design to critical solutions in areas like banking or retail. And they are introduced to state-of-the-art solutions, latest technical developments and a variety of relevant research results.
“The informal atmosphere, the unpretentious attitude and the accessibility of world-renowned researchers are exemplary.”Christian Kunz, graduate CAS ETH in Cyber Security
- System Security (252-1414-00, 7 ECTS points, Autumn Semester): The course addresses the challenges in terms of security of digital systems. Example topics are tamper-proof components and compiler support to achieve security guarantees of software.
- Network Security (263-4640-00, 8 ECTS points, Autumn Semester): Participants get an introduction to network security. Topics of the course include the operating mode of the Internet and its components (e.g., the DNS system) with a focus on their security properties and requirements. The course is accompanied by practical exercises to deepen the understanding of the theory.
- Introduction to Information Security (268-0101-00, 5 ECTS points, Autumn Semester): In this course, the goal is to introduce the fundamentals of information and cyber security from a technical point of view. Along with theory, hands-on experiments are an important building block of the course and help to deepen the students' understanding of the theory.
- Applied Security Laboratory (268-0102-00, 5 ECTS points, Autumn Semester): The focus of this course is on hands-on experience in terms of information security. As part of the course, participants are handed out the requirements of a system that has to be implemented in groups.
- Security Engineering (252-0463-00, 7 ECTS points, Autumn Semester): This course focuses on methods to develop security-critical systems. For example, methods to model and implement access control are discussed, as well as extensions of modeling frameworks to capture security aspects of systems under constructions (e.g., Secure UML).
- Security of Wireless Networks (252-1411-00, 6 ECTS points, Autumn Semester): The course focuses on security properties and requirements of wireless networks and protocols for this type of network.
- Information Security Seminar and Project (268-0201-00, 2 ECTS points, Autumn Semester): Participants of the seminar are assigned a recent topic in cyber security. They are expected to become acquainted with the assigned issue and to prepare a corresponding presentation in the context of the seminar.
- Contemporary Topics in Cyber Security (268-0202-00, 3 ECTS points, Autumn Semester): This course is composed of various sub-modules related to Cyber Security taught by experts on the relevant fields.
- Cryptographic Protocols (252-0408-00, 6 ECTS points, Spring Semester): The course presents a selection of hot research topics in cryptography. The choice of topics varies and may include provable security, interactive proofs, zero-knowledge protocols, secret sharing, secure multi-party computation, e-voting, etc.
- Formal Methods for Information Security (263-4600-00, 5 ECTS points, Spring Semester): The course focuses on formal methods for the modelling and analysis of security protocols for critical systems, ranging from authentication protocols for network security to electronic voting protocols and online banking. The course is not offered in spring semester 2023. The exam will take place.
- Digital Signatures (263-4656-00, 5 ECTS points, Spring Semester): Digital signatures as one central cryptographic building block. Different security goals and security definitions for digital signatures, followed by a variety of popular and fundamental signature schemes with their security analyses.
- Applied Cryptography (263-4660-00, 8 ECTS points, Spring Semester): This course will introduce the basic primitives of cryptography, using rigorous syntax and game-based security definitions. The course will show how these primitives can be combined to build cryptographic protocols and systems.
- Computer-Aided Modelling and Reasoning (263-4630-00L, 8 ECTS points, Spring Semester): The «computer-aided modelling and reasoning» lab is a hands-on course about using an interactive theorem prover to construct formal models of algorithms, protocols, and programming languages and to reason about their properties. The lab has two parts: The first introduces various modelling and proof techniques. The second part consists of a project in which the students apply these techniques.
- Human-Centered IT Security and Privacy (851-0390-00L, 3 ECTS points, Spring Semester): Students will gain an overview of the role of the human in security and privacy, learn about the relevance of human-centered design and important psychological aspects. Selected security- and privacy-related application scenarios will be presented and discussed. Furthermore, practical exercises and group work activities are used to showcase human-related aspects and foster reflection.
Further elective courses on information security related topics, such as «Privacy» or «Software Security», are planned to be offered soon.
The programme is designed as a part-time study programme and starts every semester. The minimum programme duration is 2 semesters (1 year). Total workload: approx. 1050 hours.
For full course details please consult the ETH Course Catalogue.
A Bachelor degree in computer science or a related field is required for admission to the DAS ETH in Cyber Security. In the latter case, additional professional experience in the field of IT/information security is required.
Related areas include engineering courses in all disciplines as well as mathematics and natural sciences.
Application
ETH Zurich
School for Continuing Education
HG E 17–18.5
Rämistr. 101
8092 Zurich
Tel. +41 44 632 56 59
E-mail:
Online Application
Application period
Spring semester: 15 August –15 November
Autumn semester: 1 April –1 July
Admission
- Your application will be reviewed by the admission committee of the certificate programme. Admission is granted to those who can prove both sufficient fundamental knowledge in computer science and pre-knowledge or working experience in the area of cyber or information security.
- Applicants who cannot provide proof of sufficient knowledge and/or work experience will be declined.
- The final decision is communicated in writing.
- The DAS ETH in Cyber Security is a part-time study programme. Usually, the Swiss authorities do not issue student visas for part-time studies. The visa is required for the residence permit.
The following documents must be filled in and submitted:
- Fully completed Online Application of the School for Continuing Education with an explanation of 150–250 words in section «Personal Motivation»
- Copy of the qualifying degree in German or English (qualifying degrees see above «Admission Requirements»)
- Copy of the transcript in German or English
- Up-to-date CV or Resume in German or English
- DownloadStudy plan (DOCX, 52 KB), filled in completely and correctly
- Further documents required by the School for Continuing Education
Optional documents
- Reference letters
CHF 18,000 (incl. one-time payable semester fee)
Diploma of Advanced Studies ETH in Cyber Security Regulations (RSETHZ 333.1600.31)
- Is the programme also offered as a distance learning programme?
No, the DAS is offered only on-site at campus ETH Zentrum. - Are there courses offered in the evenings or during the weekends?
No, all courses take place on workdays during the day. - What is the estimated workload?
The DAS ETH in Cyber Security is 35 ECTS points. One ECTS point equals approximately 30 hours of studying. Lecture times are included in this approximation. - Where do I find the timetable?
There is no predefined timetable. Each student compiles his/her own timetable. The courses of the current and the previous semesters are listed in the ETH Course Catalogue. Usually, the times of the courses remain the same. Together with the application, students need to submit a study plan indicating the courses to be taken each semester throughout the programme. - Are there additional costs to bare if the regular programme duration of four semester will be exceeded?
No, in this case there are no additional costs. If students need more time they are required to officially request an extension of study time including an updated study plan with the programme coordinator by submitting Downloadthis form (DOCX, 46 KB).
Why you should join
The DAS ETH in Cyber Security offers you the opportunity to deepen your know-how, improve your qualifications and take significant steps on your path from specialist to expert – all this in a professional area with unparalleled demand. In addition, participating in a globally relevant programme at a renowned institution like ETH Zurich allows you to work and network with like-minded professionals from diverse backgrounds, which will not only provide valuable connections, but also further broaden your personal and professional horizon.
“While our focus at ETH Zurich is on the practical application of knowledge, we also believe in the intrinsic value of providing life-long inspiration based solely on the joy of learning for learning’s sake.”Dr Siniša Matetić, Programme Director
Contact
ETH Zurich
Universitätstrasse 6
CAB F 64.1
8092
Zurich
Switzerland
ETH Zurich
Rämistrasse 101
HG E 17–18.5
8092
Zurich
Switzerland
Course Websites
On the following websites the course material for the corresponding lectures can be downloaded. Access to the websites is restricted to students of the CAS and DAS Cyber Security programs. Please login with your ETH credentials.
The lecture material for other DAS course are given on their respective websites which can be found in the course catalog.
Introduction to Information Security
protected pageIntroduction to Information Security - Course Website
Information Security Seminar and Project
protected pageInformation Security Seminar and Project - Course Website
Contemporary Topics in Cyber Security
protected pageContemporary Topics in Cyber Security - Course Website