Cybersecurity Innovation - Cork / Online

Cyber Innovate is a 10-month full-time postgraduate diploma programme focused on developing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.

The programme is jointly hosted by the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Management and Enterprise. Working in multidisciplinary teams, the students will follow a 3 phase approach namely Explore, Evolve and Execute, to search for cybersecurity problems and then generate, evaluate, select and validate new ideas for product and services which may form the basis of new cybersecurity start-ups.



Cyber Innovate will achieve this by using well-established and proven innovation methodologies including Design Thinking and Customer Development. The long term objective of the programme is to produce cybersecurity innovators and leaders who will found and lead HPSUs (High Potential Start Ups) and SMEs.



Phase 1: Explore

The students will receive one week of training on the initial 3 core concepts of Design Thinking – Empathy, Define and Ideation. This phase will involve interactions with a “local” Immersive Environment consisting of industry partners who will provide access to their facilities to the students to engage with Cybersecurity personnel, processes and equipment.



The students will apply Design Thinking – Empathy and Definition in the local immersive environment to identify, rank, select and define the user needs that they will focus on solving. They will then use Design Thinking – Ideation to come up with potential solutions for the selected problems. The students will also take an elective module which they will select as part of their Personal Learning Plan in week one. This will be either a Cybersecurity or Management and Entrepreneurship related module



Phase 2: Evolve

World leading experts from Georgia Tech will deliver lectures and weekly mentorship on the Customer Development methodology. Students will learn how to use “Evidence Based Entrepreneurship” techniques which involves planning, completing and analysing data from 50+ interviews with a particular customer segment.



After the interviews have been completed the students will have validated their “Business Thesis”, which is the selected customer segment, their proposed solution and the value it offers to that customer segment.



The students will then receive training on the final 2 core concepts of Design Thinking – Prototyping and Testing and will use these skills to develop low fidelity prototype solutions and to test them with immersive environment partners from Phase 1.



Phase 3: Execute

The students will carry out market research on their proposed solution and also learn about the EU and international cybersecurity laws, standards and regulations that apply to their solution.



The students will also explore cybersecurity business start-up opportunities and challenges. Students will incorporate their market research to assess the business ideas viability for further commercial funding and development.



The students will develop a business plan for a potential new venture and pitch their idea to an expert panel, including Venture Capitalists (VCs). The students will meet regularly with mentors and coaches who will support them on developing their business models and plans and in developing their pitching and leadership skills. They will also engage with cybersecurity researchers who may work with them on the R&D and product development for their proposed solution.

Semester 1

Design Thinking for Unearthing (15 ECTS)

Customer Development (10 ECTS)

Elective (5 ECTS) *

* Must be approved by the Head of Department



Semester 2

Design Thinking for Solving (10 ECTS)

Cyber Commercialisation (10 ECTS)

Cyber Startup Journey & Planning (10 ECTS)

Applications are made through Cyber Innovate. Please visit their website to apply and for full eligibility criteria.



Are you eligible?

A level 8 undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Applicants who do not hold a Level 8 degree but have significant work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.



A minimum of 5 years’ post graduate experience and have a demonstrated track record in their respective professions.



Applicants must be available to commit full time to the programme from August through to June. This programme will have mandatory attendance requirements, in order to enable immersion with partner organisations and to ensure effective collaboration between team members. These requirements range from 5 days in semester one to 3 days in semester two.



Applicants must be strong team players, as the selected scholars will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Selection for the programme is competitive with just 12-15 multidisciplinary applicants selected each year.

Selection will be based on applicants’ experience, passion, and drive, as well as their potential to become leading innovators in the cybersecurity field.

Application Deadline 31st March 2025

Full-time, Online, Blended

Location(s): MTU Bishopstown Campus, Cork, Online