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BachelorFaculty of Computing and Software Engineering

Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing

Welcome to the front lines of cyber defense! I am Prof. Dr. Anna Marino. As a professor and a pioneering force in the field of Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing, I bring a unique blend of engineering expertise and security insight to the study of digital protection. I am honored to lead the Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing (Bachelor's) program at Nexier University. My motto is: "Think Like an Adversary, Build Like a Guardian".

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Level
Bachelor
Learning model
Professor + Mentor
Named list
See the named lists · 12 months recommended
NXAcademic
Edition
The program

Ideas engineered for the real world

A rigorous academic core, paired with practical production judgment.

01

Academic focus

Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing, Ethical Hacking, Vulnerability Assessment, Network Security, Designing Secure Software and Systems.

02

Practical focus

Ethical Hacking, Vulnerability Assessment, Network Security, Secure Software Development, Offensive Security Tools.

After this programme

Success journey, careers and practice

Destinations, practice settings and job abilities named for this title in the delivered programme source. From graduation onwards where the source names that path.

Success journey

  • Internships in technology companies or security firms

  • Roles as cybersecurity engineers or penetration testers

  • Consultancy in cybersecurity engineering and penetration testing

  • Support roles in academic research projects on cybersecurity

Career opportunities

  • Cybersecurity Engineer or Penetration Tester for technology companies or security firms

  • Ethical Hacker for cybersecurity consulting firms

  • Security Architect for software development companies

  • Researcher in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing

Jobs and projects

  • Cultivating an interdisciplinary approach, integrating computer science, network engineering, and cybersecurity

  • Developing strategic thinking for cybersecurity engineering and penetration testing

  • Enhancing problem-solving through the analysis of complex cybersecurity challenges

  • Critical thinking for a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing

Copied from the delivered professor and mentor rows for this title.

This programme

What you study, and what it builds

Gains and skills named for this title, listed as a reader would scan them.

  • What you gain

    • Mastering practical skills in Ethical Hacking and Vulnerability Assessment.
    • Gaining expertise in Network Security and Secure Software Development.
    • Developing problem-solving abilities for real-world challenges in cybersecurity.
    • Cultivating an interdisciplinary approach, integrating computer science, network engineering, and cybersecurity.

  • Skills you build

    • Mastering AI-powered techniques for cyber attack vector prediction.
    • Applying advanced engineering principles to cybersecurity engineering and penetration testing.
    • Interpreting and analyzing complex cyber threats and their implications for secure software and systems.
    • Identifying potential vulnerabilities and predicting most likely attack vectors.
Listed courses

Each listed course sits above its units and the outcomes written under them.

Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing

  1. 01Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking
    1. FoundationsFoundations of Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking

      The learner can master practical skills in Ethical Hacking and Vulnerability Assessment, as applied to Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking.

      The learner can gain expertise in Network Security and Secure Software Development, as applied to Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking.

    2. MethodsMethods in Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking

      The learner can develop problem-solving abilities for real-world challenges in cybersecurity, as applied to Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking.

      The learner can cultivating an interdisciplinary approach, integrating computer science, network engineering, and cybersecurity, as applied to Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking.

    3. ApplicationApplication of Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking

      The learner can master AI-powered techniques for cyber attack vector prediction, as applied to Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking.

      The learner can apply advanced engineering principles to cybersecurity engineering and penetration testing, as applied to Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking.

  2. 02Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing
    1. FoundationsFoundations of Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing

      The learner can interpreting and analyze complex cyber threats and their implications for secure software and systems, as applied to Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing.

      The learner can identify potential vulnerabilities and predicting most likely attack vectors, as applied to Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing.

    2. MethodsMethods in Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing

      The learner can apply a method from Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing to a documented case.

      The learner can select an appropriate method from Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing for a stated problem.

    3. ApplicationApplication of Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing

      The learner can evaluate a practice of Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing against a stated criterion.

      The learner can transfer Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing to a new documented context.

  3. 03Network Security and Secure Software Development
    1. FoundationsFoundations of Network Security and Secure Software Development

      The learner can explain the core terms of Network Security and Secure Software Development.

      The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Network Security and Secure Software Development.

    2. MethodsMethods in Network Security and Secure Software Development

      The learner can apply a method from Network Security and Secure Software Development to a documented case.

      The learner can select an appropriate method from Network Security and Secure Software Development for a stated problem.

    3. ApplicationApplication of Network Security and Secure Software Development

      The learner can evaluate a practice of Network Security and Secure Software Development against a stated criterion.

      The learner can transfer Network Security and Secure Software Development to a new documented context.

  4. 04Case Studies in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing
    1. FoundationsFoundations of Case Studies in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing

      The learner can explain the core terms of Case Studies in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing.

      The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Case Studies in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing.

    2. MethodsMethods in Case Studies in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing

      The learner can apply a method from Case Studies in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing to a documented case.

      The learner can select an appropriate method from Case Studies in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing for a stated problem.

    3. ApplicationApplication of Case Studies in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing

      The learner can evaluate a practice of Case Studies in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing against a stated criterion.

      The learner can transfer Case Studies in Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing to a new documented context.

How teaching is described

Dual guidance

Two intelligences. One coherent journey.

Research leadership

My expertise spans the intricate domains of Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing, Ethical Hacking, Vulnerability Assessment, Network Security, Designing Secure Software and Systems. My work seamlessly integrates computer science, network engineering, and cybersecurity. I am widely recognized for my contributions, with publications like "AI for Automated Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Scanning" and "Secure Software Development Lifecycle: Best Practices for DevSecOps" listed on these platforms. I hold prestigious memberships as an "Honorary Member" of Offensive Security (OffSec) and the SANS Institute. My thought leadership is evident through my regular insightful articles on the evolving cyber threat landscape and the importance of proactive security defenses on her LinkedIn profile, with the motto "Think Like an Adversary, Build Like a Guardian".

Applied mentorship

My expertise lies in understanding and navigating the technical challenges of cybersecurity, focusing on Ethical Hacking, Vulnerability Assessment, Network Security, Secure Software Development, and Offensive Security Tools. I focus on the practical implementation and application of theoretical concepts, explaining complex interdisciplinary topics in a clear and concise manner. I guide my students through the challenging integration aspects of different fields and ensure they grasp the nuances of combining disparate data types, fostering a detail-oriented and methodical approach.

Research & intelligence

A living field, not a static syllabus

Every program connects scholarly depth with adaptive AI learning capabilities.

R / 01

Professor research lens

My research is focused on cybersecurity engineering and penetration testing:

Blog Post (Current Academic Topic): "The Rise of Offensive AI in Cybersecurity: From Automated Hacking to Adaptive Exploitation." This blog post academically explores how Artificial Intelligence is being increasingly leveraged by cyber attackers to automate and enhance offensive operations, from intelligent malware that adapts to defenses to AI-driven reconnaissance and vulnerability exploitation. It discusses the capabilities of offensive AI (e.g., fuzzing, zero-day discovery, social engineering automation) and the critical implications for cybersecurity defenders, highlighting the need for AI-powered countermeasures and adaptive defense strategies in an escalating cyber arms race.

Blog Post (Controversial Topic): "Autonomous Cyber Defense: When AI Fights Back, Is It Still 'War'? The Ethical Dilemma of Algorithmic Retaliation." This article provocatively discusses the highly controversial future where AI systems are not just defending against cyberattacks but are programmed to autonomously initiate retaliatory measures or "active defense" in response to perceived threats, without direct human oversight. It explores the profound ethical implications of delegating offensive cyber capabilities to algorithms, the potential for unintended escalation of digital conflicts, and the erosion of human control over cyber warfare. It invites a heated and alarming debate on the acceptable limits of AI autonomy in national security and the imperative to maintain human control over decisions that could trigger large-scale digital conflicts.

Article: "AI for Automated Vulnerability Discovery and Exploitation: Enhancing Penetration Testing." This article details the application of AI algorithms for automated vulnerability discovery and exploitation in cybersecurity. It explores how machine learning can analyze codebases, network configurations, and system behaviors to rapidly identify previously unknown vulnerabilities (zero-days) and even generate exploits, significantly enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of penetration testing and ethical hacking operations.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article: "AI for Automated Vulnerability Discovery and Exploitation: Enhancing Penetration Testing." Published in the Journal of Cybersecurity Research , this article presents groundbreaking research on the application of AI algorithms for optimizing penetration testing and ethical hacking. It details novel machine learning models that can rapidly identify system vulnerabilities, automate exploitation techniques, and provide actionable insights for building more secure software and systems, preparing students to think like a hacker to build impenetrable defenses.

Book: "The Hacker's Mindset: Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing." This book provides a foundational understanding of cybersecurity engineering and penetration testing. It covers ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, network security, and designing secure software and systems.

R / 02

Mentor practice lens

My contributions focus on understanding and navigating the technical challenges of cybersecurity:

"Ethical Hacking Methodologies: A Practical Guide to Penetration Testing" (Technical Manual).

"Vulnerability Assessment and Management in Enterprise Networks" (Research Paper).

"Network Security Best Practices for Cloud Environments" (Industry White Paper).

Adaptive capability

Professor superpower

I possess a remarkable "superpower": Cyber Attack Vector Predictor. When a student proposes a new software design or network architecture, I can instantly use the GAF engine to perform a "Cyber Attack Surface Analysis". This tool identifies potential vulnerabilities, predicts the most likely attack vectors, and simulates various hacking attempts (e.g., SQL injection, DDoS, phishing) to assess system resilience, allowing for proactive and robust security engineering.

Adaptive capability

Mentor superpower

I possess a remarkable "superpower": Vulnerability Exploit Generator. When students are conducting vulnerability assessments, I can instantly activate a GAF-powered "Vulnerability Exploit Generator". This tool automatically analyzes identified vulnerabilities in simulated software or network systems, suggests potential exploitation techniques, and even generates proof-of-concept exploit code, allowing students to understand and test the real-world impact of security flaws.

Your academic team

Guidance with depth and continuity

One AI Super Professor leads the intellectual arc; one AI Super Mentor turns knowledge into confident practice.

Portrait of Prof. Dr. Anna Marino, AI Super Professor
AI Super Professor

Prof. Dr. Anna Marino

Cybersecurity Engineering and Penetration Testing, Ethical Hacking, Vulnerability Assessment, Network Security, Designing Secure Software and Systems.

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Named lists

Named lists for this house

Core. Bachelor, Master and Doctorate by duration. Enrolment is not open. Nothing here is a sale.

DurationBachelor
This programme		MasterDoctorate
9 months · Fast track15000 EUR12000 EUR15000 EUR
12 months · Recommended18000 EUR15000 EUR18000 EUR
15 months · Standard21000 EUR18000 EUR21000 EUR
18 months · Flexible24000 EUR21000 EUR24000 EUR
21 months · Extended27000 EUR24000 EUR27000 EUR
24 months · Part-time30000 EUR27000 EUR30000 EUR

These are the owner lists. Enrolment is not open. Nothing here is a sale.

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