The structure combines technical warm-up, specialist coursework, support sessions and integrated professional experience.
DSTI does not hide behind vague course labels. The MSc in Cyber Security is shown below through its teaching blocks, hours, ECTS and course content.
Software, operating systems, system calls, execution environments, containers and formal verification.
Cloud, networking, Microsoft, Cisco, cryptography, data banks, middleware and application servers.
Penetration testing, CEH preparation, GRC, social engineering mitigation, project management, law and ethics.
Cyber security starts close to the machine. This block builds the code, operating-system and execution-environment foundations needed to understand vulnerabilities and defences.
Advanced C and C++ programming, including memory management, thread synchronisation and network communication.
Overview of cyber security environments, objectives, threats, actors, impacts and organisational stakes.
Windows and Linux command-line configuration, automation and system calls as the interface between applications and the kernel.
Sandboxes, virtual machines, containers, interpreted code security and formal verification methods.
This block focuses on the architecture layer: cloud platforms, networks, security architecture and operational protection of systems.
AWS cloud services and preparation for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate.
Core networking fundamentals in preparation for Cisco Certified Network Associate certification.
Cyber security solution architecture in preparation for Microsoft SC-100 Cyber Security Architect certification.
Tools and techniques for protecting systems from cyber attacks, in preparation for Cisco CyberOps certification.
Fundamentals of data security, information lifecycle management and compliance.
Modern cyber security depends on understanding the full information-system stack: cryptography, databases, big data systems, middleware, application servers and predictive techniques.
System security design patterns, infrastructure security, data-at-rest and data-in-transit encryption, and code safety.
Mathematical fundamentals behind securing data exchanges.
Security principles for relational databases, RDBMS, NoSQL databases and big data systems.
HDFS, scheduling, resource management, ETL, dataflow management, Spark and data exploration.
Enterprise middleware and web application server security in complex server environments.
Predictive analytics skills to anticipate and counteract cyber threats.
Cyber security is technical, but also organisational and human. This block covers GRC, social engineering, project management, penetration testing, CEH preparation, law and ethics.
GRC essentials and social engineering mitigation, including human risk factors and attacker levers.
Project management lifecycle and best practices for traditional and agile approaches.
Practical attack and defence scenarios in cyber security systems.
Core modules and principles required for Certified Ethical Hacker certification preparation.
Data privacy and security principles, EU and US regulation, and differences between common law and code law.
Support sessions help students consolidate difficult technical concepts, while professional experience validates the ability to apply cyber security skills in a relevant working environment.
Reviewing course topics, answering questions, re-explaining harder notions and preparing for examinations.
Internship, employment, contracting or apprenticeship experience validated through DSTI’s standard evaluation procedures.
In cyber security, recognised professional certifications are not decorative. They are part of how the job market reads technical readiness, trust and operational seriousness.
DSTI prepares students for several cyber security certifications within the programme. Students must validate one mandatory certification to graduate, choosing either the AWS or Microsoft pathway. A second approved certification is strongly recommended and grants the “with Honours” distinction.
Course context: Cloud Computing – Amazon AWS
Certification websiteCourse context: Preparation for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Certification
Certification websiteCourse context: Preparation for Microsoft SC-401: Microsoft Information Security Administrator Associate Certification
Certification websiteCourse context: Preparation for the Cisco CyberOps Associate Certification
Certification websiteCourse context: Security Operations Architecture & Detection Engineering
Certification websiteCourse context: Preparation for the Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH) Certification
Certification websiteThis list is not a free-for-all. Each alternative certification must be relevant to the student’s cyber security pathway and career objectives, and remains subject to Faculty and Direction of Studies validation.
OffSecOffSec
Altered Security
eJPT
GCIA
GCIHBlue TeamDSTI was built around connected teaching. Students can study on campus, through Live Streamed access, or through the online route when this mode fits their situation.
Online asynchronous
Access the programme through DSTI’s online route when this mode best fits your situation.
The programme includes integrated professional experience. The route depends on where the student is based and what makes professional sense.
DSTI can support professional experience in France or abroad, subject to academic validation and programme rules. The work must be relevant to the learning outcomes.
For many Live Streamed or international students, the best route is a relevant internship in their local job market.
Structured alternative
Where relevant, DSTI may guide students towards a structured international internship option through CRCC Asia.
Visit CRCC AsiaStudents receive guidance on CVs, public profiles, applications and professional positioning.
Typical first roles include SOC Analyst, Cyber Security Analyst, Cloud / Network Security Analyst or Security Operations Engineer, depending on the student’s technical base and internship context.
With experience, graduates can move towards Cloud Security Engineer, Information Security Officer or Penetration Testing / Ethical Hacking Specialist roles. Senior security architecture or leadership comes later.
The MSc in Cyber Security is reserved for applicants with a strong technological base, because the programme assumes serious work across code, systems, networks and infrastructure.
Applicants should hold a recognised Bachelor degree or equivalent in computer engineering or telecommunications, possibly electronics. Computer Science only graduates should contact DSTI Admissions to verify suitability.
Applicants may be asked to take DSTI’s online entry exam in mathematics and IT, especially when admissions or direction of studies need further evidence of readiness.
Courses are delivered in English. IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 110 or equivalent evidence may be required.
Students should have a Windows PC laptop with at least 16GB RAM, able to run the latest Windows version.
Applicants who have completed, or are finishing, either a first year of a Master’s-level programme in the same area or a four-year Bachelor in the same area may request direct entry into Year 2. Direction of Studies decides on admission after a specific academic review.
Required common exams: Applied Mathematics; Foundations of Statistical Analysis — Part 1; Data Wrangling with SQL. Additional programme exam(s): Cisco CCNA — DSTI Internal Exam; Cloud Computing — Amazon AWS — DSTI Internal Exam; Fundamentals of Cyber Security.
If you are hesitating between Data Analytics with AI, Data Engineering for AI, Data Science & AI and Cyber Security, the key question is your centre of gravity: decision and implementation, platforms and pipelines, modelling and AI systems, or technical security operations.
