This Specialization brings together three advanced courses Cyber Security: Application of AI, Cyber Security: Security of AI, and Cyber Security: Data Security and Information Privacy, to give learners a comprehensive foundation at the cutting edge of cyber security. It is designed for professionals who want to understand how AI is transforming both the opportunities and the risks in digital security, and for leaders who need to build resilient systems that inspire trust.

You’ll begin with the practical application of AI in cyber defence, exploring how machine learning and intelligent systems can detect anomalies, predict attacks, and automate responses at a scale beyond human capability. You’ll then focus on securing AI systems themselves, learning how to identify vulnerabilities in algorithms, defend against adversarial inputs, and strengthen the resilience of AI models used in critical business and government systems. Finally, you’ll dive into the essential principles of data security and information privacy, mastering how to safeguard sensitive information, ensure compliance with global regulations, and apply privacy-preserving technologies.

Developed by Macquarie University’s Cyber Skills Academy, ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and recognised as Australia’s leading cyber security school. By the end, you’ll be able to leverage AI as a powerful tool for defence, secure AI systems from manipulation, and implement robust data protection frameworks.

Applied Learning Project

Through applied projects, you’ll use AI tools to detect and analyse threats, evaluate vulnerabilities in AI systems, and design workplace-ready data protection strategies. These hands-on tasks give you the opportunity to solve authentic challenges faced by organisations building and securing AI solutions.