hdbw-hochschule.com Master's degree programmes
Cyber Security
STUDY CYBER SECURITY
With increasing digitisation, security of IT systems implemented is a key issue for companies, organizations, governments and private individuals. Specialists are needed to protect information and systems from risks, threats and crises.
And cyber security is not just about computer hardware or the Internet. It includes all information technology connected to the Internet and similar networks, as well as operational technologies from the area of industrial plants and public supply networks.
At a glance
- each winter and summer semester
- full time 3 semester
- 720 € each month
- No numerus clausus
Career perspectives with a Master's degree in Cyber Security
Practically every organization, from small businesses to large international corporations, needs well-trained cyber experts for their IT security.
There are various fields of application after your cyber security studies:
- Analysis and improvement of existing IT infrastructures under cyber security aspects
- Development of secure systems and applications in cyberspace and their operation
- Implementation and renewal of cyber infrastructures in environments with increased protection requirements
- Attack prevention, deployment of detection mechanisms and response to security incidents
- Information Security Manager
What you can expect in the Master's degree programme Cyber Security

In your English-language Master's degree programme in Cyber Security at the HDBW, you will acquire comprehensive knowledge and skills in a wide range of topics. From encryption, the assessment of various system and network architectures in terms of security and threat potential, the right approach to disaster recovery, to securing the entire lifecycle of applications - from design to end-of-life.
As artificial intelligence is becoming more and more important, the course will teach you about the latest applications of AI and its many uses. In addition, Operational Technologies for industrial plants and public utility networks, including the associated applications, processes, communication as well as processed information.
In this thoroughly application-oriented Master's degree, you can specialize in two directions: technology or organization & management.
Why study at a private university in Germany?
Small and international study groups await you in this English-language Master's programme at HDBW. As a team with your fellow students, you will cooperate on an equal footing and in direct contact with excellent professors and lecturers with extensive operational experience.
At HDBW you can apply and deepen the knowledge you have acquired in study groups, while writing seminar papers and in giving presentations.
You also benefit from a very personal university atmosphere and specific support. As a result, you will achieve your study and career goals faster and more efficiently than in bigger and more anonymous institutions.
Voice on the Cyber Security Master

"As a forward-looking and innovative company, we offer students of the Master's programmes Cyber Security and Digital Factory and Operational Excellence the opportunity to link their theoretically acquired knowledge with our practical company content. We benefit greatly from the input and fresh ideas of the HDBW students. At the same time, we see this as an investment in the long-term bond between us and the skilled workers we need and our company."
Study Life at HDBW
All about the Master's degree programme Cyber Security
Completed Bachelor's degree
- (Business) Computer Science or
- Industrial Engineering or
- Electrical engineering / information technology or comparable subjects
- Other courses of study on request from the HDBW study advisory service.
ECTS
- Ideally 210 ECTS, but at least 180 ECTS.
- In case of a Bachelor with 180 ECTS, individual agreements will be made before the start of the program in order to complete the missing ECTS
Language level
Language level B2 in the lecture language English
The monthly tuition fee in the Master's programme Cyber Security is:
- 720 € full-time study 3 semesters
- 432 € part-time study 5 semesters
Your advantages at the HDBW
- No additional registration fee
- All courses & examination fees are already included
The Master's degree programme Cyber Security is offered at HDBW Munich
Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (HDBW)
Konrad-Zuse-Platz 8
D – 81829 München
In addition, it is offered part-time at the HDBW study center in Bamberg; online modules together with HDBW in Munich
Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (HDBW)
Study Center Bamberg
Lichtenhaidestraße 15
D – 96052 Bamberg
Online
All classroom lectures in the Master's programme are streamed live online (without recording). This means that the Master's programme Cyber Security can also be completed as a purely online programme.
- March 14th (Summer Semester) and September 30th (Winter Semester) for national and EU-applicants
- December 15th (Summer Semester) and June 30th (Winter Semester) for non-EU-applicants
Why? Veryfing your application documents, visa processs etc. take much longer
Programme Start
- Summer Semester, starting mid-March
- Winter Semester, starting beginning of October
Study Period
- 3 semesters full-time
- 5 semesters part-time
Duration Winter Semester
- October 1st until March 14th
- Lectures from beginning of October until end of January
- Examination period generally until Mid-February
Duration Summer Semester
- March 15th until September 30th
- Lectures from Mid-March until beginning of July
- Examination period generally until end of July
Duration of studies - depending on study time model
- 3 semesters full-time study
- 5 semesters of part-time study (reduced number of modules per semester, some block lectures)
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Cyber Security
ECTS:
- 90 ECTS credits are earned in the HDBW Master's programme
- 300 ECTS credits in total in the HDBW Bachelor & Master programme
What study time models are available in the Cyber Security Masters's programme?
The English-language Master's degree Cyber Security is offered both as a full- and part-time programme. The lectures take place in presence on campus. They are always streamed as well - without recording. And individual selected modules can take place completely online.
All modules in the Master course Cyber Security take place in 1-2 block weeks per semester and at times that are compatible with working hours - weekdays from 16:30, Fridays and partly Saturdays. The schedule for the next semester will be announced well ahead.
Business Informatics Master full-time | Cyber Security
The state-recognized Master of Science degree in Cyber Security can be completed as full-time study at HDBW in Munich.
The practice-oriented lectures and seminars of this full-time Business Informatics Master's programme spread over 3 semesters:
- Semester: Fundamentals and electives
- Semester: Focus module technology or management
- Semester: Master's thesis
Module Plan Cyber Security: Full-time studies
- Introduction into Cyber Security 5 ETCS
- Cryptography 5 ETCS
- Computer systems and networks 5 ETCS
- System analysis and hardening 5 ETCS
- Application Development and Security Lifecycle 5 ETCS
Electives - choose 2 subjects:
- Python and Go and/or 2.5 ETCS
- Human factors in Cyber Security and/or 2.5 ETCS
- Ethics and/or 2.5 ETCS
- Softskills (Project Management, Storytelling, Communication) 2.5 ETCS
- Security aspects in application areas (Industrial Internet,IoT, Mobile und Cloud, etc.) 5 ETCS
- Legal aspects & Privacy 5 ETCS
- Seminar: Current topics of Cyber Security 5 ETCS
-
Focus module: Technology
- Intrusion Detection und Digitale Forensics 5 ETCS
- System- and Networksecurity 5 ETCS
- Al methods 5 ETCS
-
Focus module: Management
- Maturity models 5 ETCS
- Security governance and compliance 5 ETCS
- Security management 5 ETCS
- Incident Management and Disaster Recovery 5 ETCS
- Requirements Engineering and Threat Modelling 5 ETCS
- Masterthesis 18 ETCS
- Masterthesis Final Exam 2 ETCS
Business Informatics Master part-time | Cyber Security
The state-recognized Master of Science degree in the English-taught Cyber Security degree programme can also be obtained as part-time study at HDBW in Munich or Bamberg.
Here, a reduced number of modules are offered per semester and the study content is spread over 4 semesters. Some of these take place as block lectures or in the evening or at weekends during the part-time lecture period.
The practice-oriented courses of the part-time Master's programme are spread over a total of 5 semesters:
- Semester: Fundamentals
- Semester: Focus module technology or management
- Semester: Applications and electives
- Semester: Safety and current topics
- Semester: Master thesis
Module Plan Cyber Security: Part-time studies
- Introduction into Cyber Security 5 ETCS
- Cryptography 5 ETCS
- Computer systems and networks 5 ETCS
- System analysis and hardening 5 ETCS
- Legal aspects & Privacy 5 ETCS
-
Focus module: Technology
- Intrusion Detection und Digitale Forensics 5 ETCS
- System- and Networksecurity 5 ETCS
- Al methods 5 ETCS
-
Focus module: Management
- Maturity models 5 ETCS
- Security governance and compliance 5 ETCS
- Security management 5 ETCS
- Application Development and Security Lifecycle 5 ETCS
- Incident Management and Disaster Recovery 5 ETCS
- Requirements Engineering and Threat Modelling 5 ETCS
Electives - choose 2 subjects:
- Python and Go and/or 2.5 ETCS
- Human factors in Cyber Security and/or 2.5 ETCS
- Ethics and/or 2.5 ETCS
- Softskills (Project Management, Storytelling, Communication) 2.5 ETCS
- Security aspects in application areas (Industrial Internet,IoT, Mobile und Cloud, etc.) 5 ETCS
- Seminar: Current topics of Cyber Security 5 ETCS
- Masterthesis 18 ETCS
- Masterthesis Final Exam 2 ETCS
Qualification goals: Cyber Security Master
- You know the different system and network architectures and can assess them with regard to their security and threat potential.
- You are familiar with the essential theoretical principles of encryption and their practical application.
- You know methods and tools that can be used to attack the various systems.
- You apply methods and tools for the detection, protection and defense of attacks on different levels and ways and know procedures for disaster recovery.
- You know the importance of security throughout the application lifecycle and are able to implement cyber security requirements from design to end-of-life.
- You know the essential organizational and legal aspects in the national and international context as well as the governance and compliance requirements that are relevant in the cyber security environment.
- In the various modules, you will learn about the latest approaches from artificial intelligence and their possible applications in IT security. AI knowledge is increasingly important in both the protection and attack of systems, networks and applications.
- You will have an application-oriented understanding of the listed aspects and will be able to independently implement them technically and organizationally as an employee in a responsible position in the area of cyber security.
- In different offered modules, from which two must be selected, additional knowledge about economic aspects, communication skills, project management or others are imparted.
Let us advise you personally!
Apply now!
To online application-processHDBW Professors and external lecturer in Master's degree: Cyber Security

Prof. Dr. Sabine Rathmayer
Faculty Business Informatics
Programme Director & Vice President Research

Prof. Dr. Jianmin Chen
Faculty Engineering
Member of the HDBW Senate