Students

ACCG8086 – Cyber Security, Governance Frameworks and Ethics

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ali Amrollahi
ali.amrollahi@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Masoud Talebian
masoud.talebian@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(Admission to MActPrac or MInfoTechCyberSec) or (Admission to MCom and BUSA6004) or ACCG8048
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Organisations have an ethical and legal responsibility to safeguard customer data in a constantly evolving cyber security environment. This unit is designed for students to gain an understanding of cyber security governance frameworks and ethical issues relating to the complex issues relating to cyber security. The primary objectives of the unit are for students to be able to evaluate cyber security trade-offs, use relevant governance frameworks to develop a cyber security road map and to be able to examine and provide recommendations for cyber security ethical dilemmas.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Evaluate the trade-offs between cyber security, cost/resources and business opportunities/competitive advantage.
  • ULO2: Develop a cyber security road map for a specific organisation.
  • ULO3: Explain the governance principles and frameworks relevant to cyber security.
  • ULO4: Examine and provide recommendations for potential ethical dilemmas of the work of cyber security experts.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Professional Practice: Cybersecurity Roadmap 30% No Week 7
Skills Development: Cyber challenges 30% No Week 12
Professional Practice: Ethical Practices of Cybersecurity 40% No Week 13

Professional Practice: Cybersecurity Roadmap

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to develop an understanding of major cybersecurity governance concepts and apply them in a real-world scenario.

You will develop a strategic cybersecurity roadmap or plan for the Board of a specific organisation and reflect on your learning from the first half of the semester.

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking
  • Digital skills
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Work readiness

Deliverable: Written Report (2500 words)

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop a cyber security road map for a specific organisation.
  • Explain the governance principles and frameworks relevant to cyber security.

Skills Development: Cyber challenges

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to progressively develop practical skills in skills and knowledge on contemporary cyber security governance issues.

You will complete a series of learning activities throughout the semester and compile a portfolio that showcases your solutions to the dilemmas relating to the weekly topic.

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking
  • Digital skills
  • Communication
  • Discipline knowledge

Deliverable: Written portfolio of completed activities.

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the trade-offs between cyber security, cost/resources and business opportunities/competitive advantage.
  • Develop a cyber security road map for a specific organisation.
  • Explain the governance principles and frameworks relevant to cyber security.

Professional Practice: Ethical Practices of Cybersecurity

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to implement ethical and governance principles of cybersecurity to real-world scenarios.

You will analyse ethical dilemmas faced by cybersecurity professionals using contemporary examples and reflect on your learning from the first half of the semester, supported by relevant readings and scholarly sources.

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking
  • Digital skills
  • Communication skills
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship
  • Work readiness

Deliverable: Written Report (3000 words)

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the trade-offs between cyber security, cost/resources and business opportunities/competitive advantage.
  • Develop a cyber security road map for a specific organisation.
  • Explain the governance principles and frameworks relevant to cyber security.
  • Examine and provide recommendations for potential ethical dilemmas of the work of cyber security experts.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Please refer to iLearn

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2025.06 of the Handbook