International Security and Policy (Online) King's College London

Overview

Cyber threats, geopolitical tensions, climate risk and the rapid evolution of technology all contribute to a complex and volatile security landscape. As these issues multiply and diversify, there’s a growing demand for professionals who can identify risks and deliver effective, evidence-based solutions across government and industry.

The  International Security and Policy (Online) course at  King's College London  is the first online programme from Security & Defence PLuS, a strategic partnership combining the expertise of King's College London, Arizona State University and the University of New South Wales. It brings together cutting-edge research, global perspectives and practical policy experience to help you navigate the complexities of modern security threats and advance in your career.

Security and policy careers

Global demand for security expertise is rising rapidly. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, security management specialists are among the top five fastest-growing job roles worldwide, driven not only by technological change but also by increasing geopolitical fragmentation and complex global risks. Information security analysts also appear among the top 15.

In the UK, government research highlights continued demand for security and analytical expertise across public and private sectors (Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market 2025, UK Government). Data from Lightcast also shows a 17.7% average increase year on year in advertised salaries for roles requiring key security skills (July 2024 to August 2025).

For mid-career professionals looking to advance in their field, these market signals demonstrate opportunities to progress into specialist roles such as:

• Security management specialist

• International security analyst

• Defence or foreign policy advisor

• Intelligence or strategic risk officer

• Geopolitical risk consultant

• Policy specialist in international organisations or NGOs