SOP for MS in Information Security

When I was in my fifth grade, my father brought the old computer from his photography studio to our house. This was my first introduction to the astonishing world of computers. I used to spend hours learning different applications, trying to decipher how various software works. Familiarizing myself with the usage of computers early on gave me a decisive edge when I started studying computers as part of academics. This zealous interest has been influential in my decision to major in Computer Science. Presently, I wish to further it with the MS in Information Security from your esteemed university.

It was during my college education that I discovered my passion for the security aspects of computer science. However, the limited focus on the topic as given in the syllabus was not up to my likings. Therefore, I channelized my efforts to widen my knowledge on computer security through other courses. To this end, I have attended digital security courses, white hacking workshops, and other similar programs. These efforts have helped me develop a solid foundational knowledge of this topic. 

As a pragmatic learner, I valued my academic projects as a platform to build my functional expertise. My passion for security systems manifested itself in my project selection. The final project for my graduation was a multi-level security system for digital vaults. It added two additional layers of security on top of password protection. My project proposed two user authentication methods to reinforce the digital locker in banks – biometric verification and OTP. It is challenging to compromise the security of all three components at the same time, which makes the vault less vulnerable to even attempted attacks. Such projects have provided me insights into planning projects from scratch and have taught me the basics of functioning as a group for collaborative endeavors.

Apart from academics, I have been an active participant in various extracurricular activities. I have delved into designing and have secured prizes in concept design competitions at different stages. During my school days, I was part of the cricket team and have captained the team to a few victories. Volunteering in the organization of various technical and cultural events at the campus has fostered my skills to coordinate and communicate with others.

After graduation, I wanted to take up a career as a cyber-security analyst.  However, I find myself lacking in the advanced concepts for this field. Although my degree curriculum gave me a solid introduction to the basics, I don’t think it will suffice to thrive as a professional. On the other hand, my own endeavors to learn about the field have been unstructured and incomplete. Therefore, I decided it to be logical to proceed with a course that specialized in cybersecurity. This conviction prompted me to pursue an MS in Information Security.

I considered various universities in India for my studies. However, I was not satisfied with the curriculum of even the top institutions. As a computer graduate who vehemently follows the developments in cybersecurity research, I recognized that the syllabus is outdated and at least a few years behind the industrial standards. I extended my search to the best international colleges in the USA, the UK, and Australia and was happy to find many favorable options that perfectly catered to my demands.

In the end, The University of Leeds in London impressed me the most. With its inventive teaching methodologies, state-of-the-art laboratories, and research-friendly atmosphere, the campus is sure to give me the best payoff. I know that the course curriculum of the institute is constructive, firmly industry-linked, and inclusive of papers that align with my aptitudes. The extensive learner support program and an active alumni network are the additional factors that incentivized me to select your college. Finally, the culturally diverse ambiance of the academy is advantageous to developing my vistas. These factors convinced me to select the University of Leeds.

I fully understand the financial requirements that I am obliged to meet for admission to the program. I will be funding the course by availing of an education loan. My father will be sponsoring any additional expense that I may incur during the course. The documents proving our financial wherewithal have been submitted along with this statement for your verification and confidence.

After the conclusion of this course, I plan to return to my country to work as a cyber-security expert. In the past five years, India has witnessed a massive upsurge in the total number of internet users. This number has been steadily increasing during the lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. As a natural consequence, instances of cybercrime have also increased. Due to the lack of trained IT security professionals, the country is encountering a backlog of unsolved cases. I would like to address these issues when I integrate myself deeper into the industry. With the insights garnered from your esteemed academy, I will surely have a place in ensuring that cyberspace remains a safe haven for netizens.