Course in Cybersecurity for Defence Communications
Online 300-hour course in cybersecurity for defence communications. 6 modules covering ISO/IEC 27001 (information security management systems), Royal Decree 311/2022 (National Security Scheme) and Wireshark. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Cybersecurity for Defence Communications — studying from Malta
Malta's defence sector is comparatively small, reflecting the country's neutrality and modest armed forces. Activity centres on the Armed Forces of Malta, maritime surveillance, border security and the associated technical support. Engineering roles are mostly found in equipment maintenance, communications, infrastructure and government procurement rather than large-scale defence manufacturing. Professionals may find opportunities through public service and contractors supplying the armed forces and related agencies, where reliability and compliance with national procurement rules are important.
Fees for Malta: €448 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies regulate defence and military engineering work in Malta?
Malta's Armed Forces and the Ministry responsible for defence oversee military engineering and procurement. General engineering practice is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Export and dual-use controls follow EU and national rules. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so any recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
What career paths exist in Malta for land systems and defence engineering?
Opportunities in Malta are limited and mostly within government, the Armed Forces and their suppliers, with more substantial defence industry work typically found abroad. Many roles require security clearance and specific experience. A private qualification can support your profile, but you should expect employers to focus on experience and clearance eligibility.
How do I study this from Malta, and what should I consider about workload and funding?
The programme is delivered fully online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You do not need a visa to study from home in Malta. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan time alongside any work commitments. Ask about instalment payments and whether employer sponsorship is available.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe tactical and strategic communications architectures.
Apply the fundamentals of cryptography and key management.
Design network and systems security measures.
Interpret the accreditation requirements of the ENS and the CCN-STIC guides.
Assess risks using recognised methodologies.
Plan incident response and service resilience.
Design a secure communications network with its accreditation documentation.
Who it's for
- Communications cybersecurity engineer looking to specialise in Cybersecurity in Defence Communications.
- Security operations centre analyst looking to specialise in Cybersecurity in Defence Communications.
- Systems accreditation manager looking to specialise in Cybersecurity in Defence Communications.
- Secure network architect looking to specialise in Cybersecurity in Defence Communications.
- Applied cryptography specialist looking to specialise in Cybersecurity in Defence Communications.
- Information security auditor looking to specialise in Cybersecurity in Defence Communications.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO/IEC 27001 (information security management systems)
- Royal Decree 311/2022 (National Security Scheme)
- CCN-STIC guides
- NIST SP 800-53 (security controls)
- Directive (EU) 2022/2555 (NIS2)
- ISO/IEC 15408 (Common Criteria)
- NIST SP 800-61 (incident handling)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Tactical, operational and strategic networks1.2Tactical radios and MANET networks1.3Military satellite links1.4Tactical data links Link 16 and Link 221.5NATO Federated Mission Networking1.6Classified networks and security domains1.7Communications interoperability and STANAGs1.8Threats in military cyberspace1.9Cyberspace as a domain of operations1.10Case study: threat map of a tactical network
2.1Symmetric and asymmetric encryption2.2Approved algorithms for classified information2.3Key management and distribution2.4Public key infrastructures in defence2.5Post-quantum cryptography and migration2.6Authentication of nodes and users2.7Integrity and non-repudiation2.8CCN-certified encryption products2.9Common Criteria and product evaluation2.10Workshop: designing a key management scheme
3.1Segmentation and data diodes3.2Gateways between classification domains3.3Defence in depth and zero trust3.4Systems hardening3.5Security in tactical wireless networks3.6Protection against jamming and interference3.7Emissions security and TEMPEST3.8Monitoring and intrusion detection3.9Security operations centres3.10Laboratory: segmenting a simulated command network
4.1National Security Scheme (RD 311/2022)4.2CCN-STIC guides applicable to defence4.3Accreditation of systems handling classified information4.4NATO information security policy4.5ISO/IEC 27001 and 270024.6NIST SP 800-53 and the RMF framework4.7NIS2 Directive and critical infrastructure4.8Risk analysis with MAGERIT4.9Security audits and compliance4.10Practical exercise: risk analysis with MAGERIT
5.1Incident management cycle5.2Joint Cyberspace Command and national CSIRTs5.3Forensic analysis of communication systems5.4Service continuity under degraded conditions5.5Cyber defence exercises such as Locked Shields5.6Information sharing with MISP5.7MITRE ATT&CK applied to defence5.8Lessons learned from recent conflicts5.9International law and the Tallinn Manual5.10Case study: tabletop exercise for an incident
6.1Defining operational requirements6.2Network architecture and security domains6.3Risk and threat analysis6.4Selection of cryptographic controls6.5Monitoring and detection design6.6Incident response plan6.7Documentation for accreditation6.8Test and validation plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Wireshark, Suricata, Nmap, Splunk, OpenSSL, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is carried out using real laboratory procedures on virtualised networks, incident response exercises and documentary accreditation audits. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe tactical and strategic communications architectures.
Apply the fundamentals of cryptography and key management.
Design network and systems security measures.
Interpret the accreditation requirements of the ENS and the CCN-STIC guides.
Assess risks using recognised methodologies.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- A sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses Wireshark, Suricata, Nmap, Splunk and OpenSSL. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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