Choosing an Infocomm Security Diploma Course

Diploma Course
Studying for an infocomm security diploma is a significant investment of your time, money and resources. It is better to understand the value that you would be able to generate with the course. A common concern seen among students is the choice between Infocomm Security Management versus  IT security centric (network security or forensics focused) diploma courses. There is no one fit solution for all students. You have to consider various factors before selecting one over the other including their track records.

Background
The background of a student plays the most important role in choosing the diploma course. For example, students with interests and strong foundation in networking would naturally choose network security related diploma course. But many students who just completed their GCE “O” level may not have yet to realise their area of interest and may not be able to decide on which course to choose. For those students who are interested in IT security, it is advisable to build their foundations before they move on to specialise in a specific IT security field.

Holistic Education
SP's holistic education equips students with a total skill set, consisting of technical skills, knowledge skills and soft skills. This is done through our unique scenario-based training in DISM which will develop critical thinking skills of students and help them to become a life-long learner. The general education (GenEd) emphasises the cultivation of life-skills such as teamwork, resilience, problem-solving and decision-making. The education and career guidance (ECG) provides a structured and comprehensive system to help you make better and informed education and career choices in school and beyond graduation.

Broad-based Curriculum
The Curriculum plays a major role in the learning process. DISM focuses on three main skill sets: Offensive, Defensive and Investigative. The first year include the general curriculum where students establish the fundamentals of information technology that includes computer architecture and operating system, networking fundamentals, linux administration, etc.

The second year has more security related modules such as Ethical Hacking and Defences, Applied Cryptography, Digital Forensics and Investigation, Programming in Python and C, etc. Third year is the most crucial year when you put all the skills and knowledge together to do your final year project plus some modules including Malware Reverse Engineering and Security Policy & Incident Management.

Career Goals
The essays and Interviews would have forced you to think about your career goals in detail. When you are being asked about your career aspiration, you would be expected to think of something related to your long-term and short-term career goals, as well as objectives, based on your career path planning. It is very important for one to plan ahead. If you choose a diploma course that is too specific (such as network security or forensics centric) at the early stage, you have to consider the job prospects and opportunities. In other words, your choice of jobs will be limited.

In Singapore, almost all IT security related jobs require the practitioners to be multi-skilled, that is, the ability to perform multiple IT security related tasks in a single job. So it means that DISM's broad-based training gives you the competitive edge you need to secure a job.

Post-Diploma Options 
Diploma holders have many pathways. The common belief among students is that one should go for a bachelor degree in a University. However, the degree route may not be the immediate choice to some of the diploma graduates due to factors such as financial and other constraints. One of the post-diploma options is to enrol into an Earn and Learn Programme (ELP).

Under the SkillsFuture, the Earn and Learn Programme (ELP) in Cyber Security is one of the many options that DISM students can consider. It is a work-study programme that provides student on-the-job training while studying for a Specialist Diploma in Cyber Security, that equips participants with advanced skillsets in Penetration Testing, Incident Response and Forensics Investigation. Singapore Polytechnic is the programme manager appointed by the relevant authorities to run the Specialist Diploma in Cyber Security (ELP).

So, which course? 
Consider your interest, your academic strengths, post-diploma options, your desired career, and the diploma course that would help you reach your career goals.

Choose Diploma in Infocomm Security Management (DISM) S54.

Singapore Polytechnic Open House 2017

Vibrant Life@SP (CCA)

With close to 120 clubs and counting, SP has a wide array of CCAs that can help you master anything from makeup artistry and guitar-playing, to martial arts and even sign language.

 

Yes, sign language! If you can’t find a CCA to suit yourself, never fear! Start a brand new club of your own and bond with like-minded people at your side.

 

 

 

Find out more at the CCA website.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

One of the important factors in considering which diploma course to select is the financial support. At SP, we understand your needs and we make education as affordable as we can.

Outstanding students in SP get selected for the SP Scholars Programme to challenge, develop and maximise their personal, intellectual and leadership potential. They also get to take part in the SP Outstanding Talent (SPOT) programme which invokes them in global current affairs and grooms them into a new generation of thinkers and leaders. On top of it, SP scholars also receive full tuition fee sponsorship and one-time laptop subsidy!

 Visit our SP website to know more about the Scholarships.

Visit our SP website to know more about the Financial Assistance Scheme.

For potential DISM students, you can also consider to apply for the following scholarships: 

• Singtel Cadet Scholarship
• SP Scholarship
• iPoly Scholarship
• DSO Diploma Scholarship
• CSIT Diploma Scholarship
• National Infocomm Scholarship

What you need to know about Diploma in Infocomm Security Managemet (DISM, S54)

Diploma Course
Studying for an IT security-related diploma is a significant investment of your time, money and resources. It is better to understand the value that you would be able to generate with the course. The information provided here is to help all students to make the correct decision.

Key Points about DISM
Below are the three key points about DISM course.

1. Broad-based Curriculum
The Curriculum plays a major role in the learning process. DISM focuses on three main skill sets: Offensive, Defensive and Investigative.

The first year include the general curriculum where students establish the fundamentals of information technology that includes computer architecture and operating system, networking fundamentals, linux administration, etc. The second year has more security related modules such as Ethical Hacking and Defences, Applied Cryptography, Digital Forensics & Investigation, etc. Third year is the most crucial year when you put all the skills and knowledge together to do your final year project plus some modules.

2. Lots of Stress
It can be quite stressful during term time as students are required to go through the curriculum and meeting all the assessment requirements of modules.

3. Lots of Programming Assignments 
The misconception students have is that they assume that the course has minimal programming requirements. In actual fact, programming knowledge and skills are very important in this course. As such, students need to prepare themselves and have the correct expectations before they begin to feel the pressure of the requirements from the modules' assignments, especially to those who did not like programming modules.

So, which course? 
Consider your interest, your academic strengths, your desired career, and the diploma course that would help you reach your aims and career goals.

Best IT SECURITY diploma course

At SP, we provide you with the best IT SECURITY diploma course. See the reasons below:

1) State-of-the-art learning spaces (Cyber Wargame Centre, CWC).
2) Experienced, skilled and caring lecturers.
3) Current and relevant curriculum with holistic education.
4) Unleashed your potentials through wargaming.
5) Ready for work, life and world.
6) Improve your employability and market value.
7) Two qualifications await you: both academic and professional certifications.
8) Yes, DISM (S54) is the right choice for you. The fast track to IT security career/education.

Most importantly, we have proven track records and high cohort success rate for students who choose to proceed to study with local/overseas universities. If you need more information, come to Singapore Polytechnic Open House 2017.

FIVE (5) Things You Probably Didn't Know About Our Course (DISM)

1. DISM is different from secondary school because …
Unlike a typical classroom lesson, lessons here are pretty much hands on! At DISM, we train you to combat cyber crime by putting you through different scenarios of cyber crime. Each scenario has its own set of challenges and you will have to adopt different strategies to solve them. We also have a league competition where students pit their skills against one another and are awarded points on completion of each scenario. Apart from winning points, students often feel a great sense of achievement once they have conquered a scenario!

2. A lot of your time will be spent in …
The Cyber Wargame Centre! As the name suggests, it is literally a game of war in cyberspace. During lessons, you will be given cyber crime scenarios to tackle. In every scenario, there will always be the good guys (defenders), the bad guys (attackers) and the cops (investigators). You will play any one of these roles and will attempt to penetrate enemy defences, defend yourself against intruders, or be the detective to find out how and why the cyber crime took place.

3. A lot of your time will be spent on …
Finding security vulnerabilities! This is where you start looking for loopholes in computer systems - both your own and others. Once you have discovered these loopholes, you’ll then have to figure out how to “patch” these holes up. In the professional world, companies often conduct security assessments to test the strength of their security network and to plug any gaps that they might find.

4. The fun thing about DISM is …
You’ll get to play the role of cyber cop! By playing detective, you’ll enter a cyber crime situation to find out how and why the crime could have happened. Once you have found the answers, you will then be able to advise people on how to prevent similar situations from happening.

5. To do well in this profession, you must be able to…
Work in a group and under stress! You will often be working in a team to stop cybercrime, so your ability to communicate with your teammates could determine the success or failure of the mission. Also, cybercrimes must be stopped quickly. It is therefore important that you work quickly and not lose focus!

Guided tour at Security Operations Centre

Dear Students 

Cyber Security as a Career

with a guided tour at Security Operations Centre
Wednesday, 21 December 2016, 3.30pm
ST Electronics  Jurong East Building

 

Join us at this highly interactive session where you will gain insights on the Cyber Security job opportunities designed for professionals. The speakers will be highlighting the critical skills and competencies needed for this highly sought-after profession in Cyber Security.  

 

As seats are limited, do register HERE for this exclusive knowledge sharing session organised by the Infocomm Security SIG.

    

Please contact Serene or Camilla at 6226 2567 x 11 or 13 should you require further information.

 

Regards

Infocomm Security SIG
Singapore Computer Society 
www.scs.org.sg