Diploma in Cybersecurity of Naval Combat Systems
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in cybersecurity of naval combat systems: 8 modules covering digital ship architecture, threats and risk, defence in depth, embedded systems security, monitoring and response, accreditation and the security life cycle, under IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-82 Rev. 3 and IACS UR E26, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Cybersecurity of Naval Combat Systems — 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: €1,290 (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
Identify the digital architecture and attack surface of a ship.
Analyse cyber threats and risks in the naval domain.
Design defence-in-depth architectures in line with IEC 62443.
Protect real-time embedded systems.
Plan monitoring and response with limited connectivity.
Prepare the security accreditation of naval systems.
Integrate cybersecurity across the entire life cycle of the ship.
Who it's for
- Naval cybersecurity engineers.
- OT security analysts working with shipboard systems.
- Systems accreditation managers.
- Security architects.
- SOC analysts moving into the maritime and defence domain.
- Cybersecurity auditors.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- IEC 62443 (security for industrial automation and control systems)
- NIST SP 800-82 Rev. 3 (guide to OT security)
- IACS UR E26 (cyber resilience of ships)
- ISO/IEC 15408 (Common Criteria for IT security evaluation)
- NIST SP 800-37 Rev. 2 (risk management framework)
- MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 (IMO) (guidelines on maritime cyber risk management)
- Royal Decree 311/2022 (Spanish National Security Framework)
- ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (information security management systems)
- Wireshark
- Zeek
- Security Onion
- Tenable Nessus
- MITRE ATT&CK Navigator
8 modules
1.1Combat management system1.2Integrated platform management1.3On-board data networks1.4Connected sensors and effectors1.5Tactical data links1.6Embedded OT systems1.7Ship-to-shore interconnection1.8Technology supply chain1.9The ship’s attack surface1.10Case study: asset inventory of a frigate
2.1Threat actors in the maritime domain2.2MITRE ATT&CK for ICS2.3Maritime cyber incidents2.4Risk analysis methodologies2.5Analysis with MAGERIT2.6IMO MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 guidelines2.7Myths of air-gapped systems2.8Insider threat2.9Impact on the mission2.10Workshop: risk analysis of an embedded system
3.1Zones and conduits according to IEC 624433.2Data diodes3.3Identity and access management3.4System hardening3.5Application whitelisting3.6Patching in isolated environments3.7Removable media control3.8Communications encryption3.9Secure configuration management3.10Practical exercise: designing zones and conduits
4.1Secure real-time operating systems4.2Secure boot4.3Firmware integrity4.4MIL-STD-1553 and Ethernet buses4.5Security in DDS middleware4.6Real-time constraints4.7Sensor interfaces4.8Trusted hardware4.9Secure code analysis4.10Laboratory: traffic analysis on a data bus
5.1On-board security operations centre5.2Intrusion detection in industrial networks5.3Event correlation with SIEM5.4Anomaly detection5.5Response with limited connectivity5.6On-board forensic analysis5.7Mission continuity5.8System recovery5.9Response exercises5.10Case study: incident response plan
6.1Accreditation of information systems6.2CCN-STIC guides6.3Common Criteria ISO/IEC 154086.4Spanish National Security Framework (ENS)6.5OT security according to NIST SP 800-826.6NATO security guidelines6.7NIST SP 800-37 risk management framework6.8IACS UR E26 and E27 requirements6.9Security documentation6.10Workshop: accreditation dossier
7.1Security by design7.2Controlled penetration testing7.3Shore-based integration test benches7.4Digital twin for cybersecurity7.5Vulnerability management7.6Crew training7.7Cyber exercises7.8Secure modernisations7.9Cyber-resilience metrics7.10Laboratory: exercise on a test bench
8.1Description of the target system8.2Inventory and architecture8.3Risk analysis8.4Proposed security architecture8.5Monitoring plan8.6Response plan8.7Accreditation roadmap8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final 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. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Wireshark, Zeek, Security Onion, Tenable Nessus and MITRE ATT&CK Navigator, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for risk analysis of embedded systems, response exercises on integration benches and network segmentation into zones and conduits. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-82 Rev. 3, IACS UR E26, ISO/IEC 15408, NIST SP 800-37 Rev. 2, MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 (IMO), Royal Decree 311/2022, ISO/IEC 27001:2022.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
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 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Wireshark, Zeek, Security Onion, Tenable Nessus and MITRE ATT&CK Navigator, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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