autumn 2025
SVF-2109 Cyber Security in Society - 10 ECTS

Type of course

Can be taken as a singular course.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements are generell studiekompetanse

Application code 9199


Course overlap

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

SIK-2517 Cyber Security in Society 10 ects
SIK-2617 Cyber Security in Society 10 ects

Course content

This course consists of four blocks: (1) civic cybersecurity, (2) organizational cybersecurity, (3) societal cybersecurity, and (4) cybersecurity and international politics.

Block 1 provides the students with the necessary competence to behave in a safe and secure manner in an increasingly digitalized society. It covers topics such as: main concepts and theoretical perspectives to cybersecurity, role of individuals in cybersecurity, digital rights and civic responsibilities, and pivotal cyberattacks against individuals.

Block 2 provides the students with the basic competence for managing cybersecurity as part of an organization’s operations. It covers topics such as: information systems and networks, pivotal cyber-attacks against organizations, cybercrime, and cybersecurity culture.

As all citizens and organizations operate in particular societies, block 3 summarizes and discusses the national arrangements for cybersecurity in Norway. It covers topics such as: digitalization and cybersecurity policies, actors in societal cybersecurity, pivotal cyber-attacks against societies,cyber and information operations, and critical infrastructure protection.

Finally, block 4 introduces the students with transnational cybersecurity politics and diplomacy. It covers topics such as: internet governance, resource competition and trade politics, cyber diplomacy, and international law.


Objectives of the course

Knowledge:

The student …

  • understands the interconnections between digitalization, cybersecurity, societal security, national security, and organizational resilience.
  • can explain the main approaches to cybersecurity and illustrate their different effects on organizations and society in general.
  • can summarize the main cybersecurity threats to individuals, organizations, and society at large and advice protection against these threats.
  • can summarize the national cybersecurity arrangements in Norway and discuss them critically.
  • can identify different spheres of cybersecurity politics.

Skills:

The student …

  • can illustrate security threats and risks in the digitalized society and apply this knowledge to situations e.g. at workplace.
  • can recognize risks to his or her personal safety and security in the digitalized society and can solve occurring cybersecurity situations in his or her best interest.
  • can break down different cyber threats against organizations and society at large and simplify the attack processes in order to explain them to others.
  • can present systematic analysis of national arrangements and dimensions of cybersecurity politics.

General competences:

The student …

  • has gained civic cybersecurity competence to protect him- or herself in the digitalized society, including inter alia the ability to recognize different cyber-attacks and to apply the learned knowledge and practical skills to these situations.
  • can plan cybersecurity policies in organizations that meet both organizational and societal.
  • cybersecurity requirements and justify these policies to others.
  • can recognize and can analyse related threat depictions such as breaches of digital rights and different forms of cybercrime.
  • becomes acquainted with complex transnational cybersecurity politics.

Language of instruction and examination

English, but students can choose to answer in Scandinavian languages.

Teaching methods

Lectures/seminars (altogether 30 hours), individual assignment, and group work.

Lectures and seminars are utilized interchangeably, depending on the week, over the entire course period.

Group work is divided over the whole course period i.e. the task description is given at the beginning of the course and the group work report is to be handed in a week before the last seminar in which group presentations and peer reviews will take place.


Information to incoming exchange students

There are no academic prerequisites to add this module in your Learning Agreement.

Schedule

Examination

Examination: Duration: Grade scale:
Off campus exam 7 Days A–E, fail F

Coursework requirements:

To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements:

Participation Approved – not approved
Individual assignment Approved – not approved
Group assignment Approved – not approved
UiT Exams homepage

More info about the coursework requirements

Mandatory assignments

  • 2/3 participation in seminars
  • Individual assignment
  • Group assignment, including a seminar presentation, a peer review, and a group work report.

Mandatory coursework is valid for four years.


Re-sit examination

Students who do not pass the previous ordinary examination can gain access to a re-sit examination.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: SVF-2109
  • Earlier years and semesters for this topic