Description

The educational program "8D06301 – Information Security Systems" aims to train competitive research personnel with a high level of professional culture who are capable of formulating and solving contemporary scientific and practical problems in information security and information protection. The program aligns with the core areas of responsibility of the Faculty of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence: digitalization, artificial intelligence for sustainable development, and cybersecurity. It covers the theory and methods of cryptography, evaluation of the strength of cryptographic algorithms, information security assessment models, machine learning methods for security tasks, programming and testing of security systems, the security of cryptocurrency-based payment systems, and innovative research in information protection.

In line with SDG 9 – "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure", the program is focused on developing reliable, resilient and secure digital infrastructure. Through the courses "Theory, Methods and Tools of Cryptography", "Evaluation of Cryptographic Algorithms Strength", "Cryptanalysis", "Cryptographic Techniques Based on Modular Arithmetic", "Cryptographic Generators of Pseudo-Random Sequences and the Assessment of Their Quality" and "Cryptographic Key Management Systems", doctoral students study the cryptographic strength of block ciphers, cipher synthesis, public-key encryption systems, key distribution protocols and identity authentication methods. The courses "Development of Information Security Tools", "Programming of Security Systems" and "Testing Safety Systems" develop competencies in designing information security systems, drafting their specifications and building software for innovative projects. The course "Machine Learning Algorithms for Information Assurance" focuses on developing AI-based protection solutions. Together, these contribute to the reliability and resilience of ICT infrastructure against threats.

Within SDG 11 – "Sustainable Cities and Communities", the program enables research into methods for ensuring and assessing the security of operating systems, applications, networks and protocols, as well as organizing secure communication networks. The course "Models and Methods of Information Security Assessment" prepares students to compare protection methods and systems, evaluate the effectiveness of security measures, and justify decision-making methodologies for information protection. The course "Analysis of Cryptocurrency Technologies Security" addresses the security of urban digital financial services. This research supports the cybersecurity of urban digital infrastructure, smart systems, e-government services, intelligent transport systems and IoT networks, as well as the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data in smart city systems.

Within SDG 17 – "Partnerships for the Goals", the program supports national and international research cooperation in information security, joint research projects with foreign universities, research organizations and the IT industry, academic mobility and the exchange of research results. A scientific internship, participation in international scientific conferences, and publication of the main dissertation results in high-ranking scientific journals help doctoral students integrate into the international scientific community and foster knowledge and technology transfer in cybersecurity and the expansion of international partnerships.

The program also implements the cross-cutting SDGs shared by all faculties of the university. Within SDG 4 – "Quality Education", the courses "Academic Writing" and "Scientific Research Methods" develop doctoral students' ability to locate and assess sources, synthesize information, communicate complex ideas clearly and logically to an academic audience, cite sources correctly, respect intellectual property rights and uphold research ethics. Research practice, the research and graduate seminars, and work on the doctoral thesis enable students to analyze, evaluate and synthesize new and complex ideas in information protection and to formulate innovative research problems. Pedagogical practice prepares them for teaching in higher education institutions, contributing to the training of highly qualified academic staff and the quality of education in information security.

Within SDG 5 – "Gender Equality" and SDG 10 – "Reduced Inequalities", the program fosters an inclusive research and learning environment that supports women's participation in ICT, cybersecurity and research and provides equal opportunities for all doctoral students. Secure digital services, protected payment systems and data protection technologies help ensure safe and equal access to digital and financial resources for all population groups. Within SDG 13 – "Climate Action", the program explores data protection in energy and environmental monitoring systems, as well as resource-efficient secure computing and cryptographic solutions.

Thus, the "Information Security Systems" program contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by developing reliable and secure digital infrastructure, creating innovative information protection technologies based on cryptography and artificial intelligence, ensuring the cybersecurity of smart cities and digital services, expanding international research partnerships, and training highly qualified research personnel.

Keywords: cybersecurity, information security, information protection, data protection, digital infrastructure, infrastructure reliability, infrastructure resilience, quality infrastructure, innovation, technologies, ICT, digitalization, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, cryptanalysis, cryptographic strength, strength of cryptographic algorithms, modular arithmetic, pseudo-random sequence generators, key management, public-key cryptography, identity authentication, secure communication, information security assessment, security systems programming, security systems testing, development of information security tools, cryptocurrency, payment system security, urban infrastructure, smart city, smart systems, intelligent transport systems, IoT, e-governance, international cooperation, international partnership, cross-border cooperation, academic mobility, international conferences, research, scientific publications, academic writing, research ethics, intellectual property, quality education, inclusive education, women in ICT, gender equality, digital accessibility.