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LAW42160

Academic Year 2026/2027

Cybersecurity Law and Regulation (LAW42160)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Tj McIntyre
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.


This module examines the legal and regulatory context of cybersecurity, considering both Irish law and the wider international framework. It looks at the development of criminal offences in relation to cybercrime and the way in which international cooperation in this area has developed. It considers the cybersecurity obligations which are imposed by a range of laws (such as the GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, NIS Directive, and so on), and assesses in particular the reporting and incident response mechanisms which must be in place to comply with these. It identifies and discusses particular legal issues around responding to cybercrime such as the sharing of intelligence, network surveillance and monitoring, and the implications of gathering data for forensic use. It also outlines the civil obligations and liability in damages which may result from cybersecurity incidents and issues such as whether and how these may be covered by insurance.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completing this module students will be able to:

* Describe the international and domestic legal framework relevant to cybersecurity;
* Describe and critically assess key legal issues presented by cybercrime;
* Outline and discuss the legal issues which may arise at each step of responding to a cybersecurity incident; and
* Consider a hypothetical cybersecurity incident, identify the key legal issues which arise from it, and describe what steps need to be taken on foot of these issues.

Indicative Module Content:

Data protection compliance; cybersecurity incident response; legal issues of cybercrime

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

226
Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will be taught through interactive seminars based on discussion of prior reading.

Students on this module are expected to have read and understood the UCD Academic Integrity Policy and the School Protocol on Academic Integrity. Students must ensure that they comply with all requirements laid down therein and avoid academic misconduct. Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence, or other machine learning technology, in their learning and in completing assessments on this module. Students are expected to follow Oscola Ireland in citing sources in completing assessments.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): 2,500 word assignment to be submitted after end of teaching trimester. Week 14 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 2,500 word assignment to be submitted by end of week 8. Week 8 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group feedback will be given after the first and second assignments.

Name Role
Ms Mary Anne Culhane Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Joanna Kozielec Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 19, 28 Fri 10:00 - 12:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 34 Fri 10:00 - 12:50
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