SZE’s Cybersecurity Programmes Recognised with Valuable National Accreditation

Created: 2025.09.02. 11:35

All of Széchenyi István University’s cybersecurity programmes have been included on the list of recognised qualifications and accredited international certifications compiled by the National Coordination Centre. As a result, graduates are officially qualified to take up key positions in Hungary as professionals responsible for the security of electronic information systems. This valuable accreditation not only reflects the high quality of the programmes, but also recognises the strong interdisciplinary approach within the field and the internationally significant research carried out at the University.

Széchenyi István University was the first in Hungary to launch a Master’s degree in Modern Technologies and Cybersecurity Law. In recent years, the University has expanded its portfolio in this field with an English-taught Master’s programme as well as specialised postgraduate programmes. The Hungarian-taught Master’s programme continues to attract strong interest from applicants, while the English-taught programme, launched for the first time last year, will welcome six times as many students this September as it did a year earlier. 

The field of cybersecurity, overseen by the Deák Ferenc Faculty of Law and Political Sciences yet spanning numerous disciplines, has recently reached a milestone: all relevant programmes at Széchenyi István University have been added to the list of institutions authorised to train professionals responsible for the security of electronic information systems (IBF). The register compiled by the National Coordination Centre lists only four institutions nationwide – one of which is Széchenyi István University. Its significance lies in the fact that in Hungary only graduates of the programmes included on this list are eligible to hold IBF positions, meaning that only those completing accredited courses may work in official cybersecurity roles as information security officers (IBF officers)

According to Dr Roland Kelemen, Head of the Department of Modern Technology and Cybersecurity Law, the accreditation is also a recognition of the high-quality work carried out at Széchenyi István University. (Photo: Máté Dudás) 

“We are proud that not only our Hungarian-taught, but also our English-taught Master’s programme in Modern Technologies and Cybersecurity Law has been included on this list, making it even more valuable internationally for the students who join us. Continuous development is supported not only by up-to-date teaching materials and methods but also by an interdisciplinary approach, which enables experts from various fields at our institution – including IT, economics, law, and social sciences – to participate in internationally recognised research,” stated Dr Roland Kelemen, Head of the Department of Law of Modern Technologies and Cybersecurity. He added that the expertise of the lecturers involved in these programmes is demonstrated by numerous publications in Scopus-indexed journals, providing an important mark of quality and making the field even more attractive to both fee-paying and Stipendium Hungaricum international students.

The excellent international connections of the Faculty also contribute to the strong reputation of its cybersecurity programmes. This year, the English-taught Master’s programme is being enhanced by a native-speaking lecturer: Dr Joseph Squillace, a professor from Pennsylvania State University, is visiting Széchenyi István University on a Fulbright scholarship. ‘I am spending six months in Győr, where in addition to participating in teaching the cybersecurity programmes, I am also undertaking research tasks,’ said the US-based expert, who had previously taught a short professional seminar at the University and contributed to its research through high-level international publications.  “My goal is to integrate American experiences to help fine-tune Széchenyi University’s cybersecurity programmes and strengthen its research activities,” he emphasised. He added that this collaboration contributes to enhancing cybersecurity research and academic programmes at both Pennsylvania State University and Széchenyi István University, while also supporting the achievement of forward-looking research objectives within professional and academic circles.

Dr Joseph Squillace, who teaches at the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Pennsylvania State University, stated that his work is supported by nearly $1.8 million in US research funding provided by the Department of Justice for the study of cyberbullying. As part of this project, he will soon deliver a keynote lecture at Széchenyi István University at the international Digital Child Protection Conference, jointly organised by the University’s Department of Modern Technology and Cybersecurity Law, the research centre of the University of East London and Middlesex University. The lecture is titled ‘Digital Playground or Predators’ Paradise? Platforms that Profit from the Exploitation of Children.’

Dr Joseph Squillace previously taught at an international seminar focused on child protection at Széchenyi István University. (Photo: Gergely Nagy)

Applications are still open for the accredited two-semester online specialised postgraduate programme in Cybersecurity Law and Cybersecurity Consulting, which are included on the official list and will resume this September. More information is available at felveteli.sze.hu Application deadline: 15 September 2025.