IGNOU MSCIS Project for MSEP-028 and MSEP-038: Complete Guide for Topic Selection, Synopsis, Report, and Submission

The IGNOU MSCIS Project for MSEP-028 and MSEP-038 is a core academic requirement in the MSc (Information Security) curriculum. These projects test applied skills, not only theory. Therefore, strong planning, clear scope, and clean reporting matter as much as technical work.

Project overview (at a glance)

• MSEP-028 (Project-I): 4 credits, placed in the second semester of the programme.
• MSEP-038 (Project-II): 2 credits, placed in the fourth semester of the programme.

The MSCIS programme includes two projects overall, one in the first year and one in the second year.

Why these MSEP projects matter in MSc (Information Security)

Information security is a practical field. Employers expect clear thinking, safe handling of data, and evidence-based decisions. The IGNOU MSCIS project work supports these outcomes by requiring:

• problem selection from real systems or realistic lab setups
• method-based work (audit, test, build, or study)
• clear results and limits
• professional reporting and presentation

As a result, project performance often reflects readiness for roles such as security analyst, tester, auditor support, or junior risk roles.

MSEP-028 vs MSEP-038: Practical Difference

MSEP-028 (Project-I): smaller scope, strong method

This MSCIS project works best with a tight scope. It should prove that the student can follow a process and produce valid results. Common best-fit work types include:

• baseline security audit of a system in a lab
• controlled vulnerability testing on a demo app
• risk assessment and control plan for a small unit

MSEP-038 (Project-II): refined work, stronger finish

This MSCIS project often benefits from better depth and polish, such as:

• improved testing set (before/after comparison)
• stronger reporting and analysis
• expanded controls and validation

However, it still needs a realistic scope. A small project with complete evidence usually performs better than an ambitious project with weak proof.

IGNOU MSCIS Project Guidelines for MSEP-028 & MSEP-038

1. Where these guidelines come from

IGNOU has one common Project Guidelines manual for:

• MSCIS / PGDIS
• Project-I (MSEP-028) – 1st year / 2nd semester
• Project-II (MSEP-038) – 2nd year / 4th semester

You can download the official PDF from:

• eGyanKosh (search “Project Guidelines MSEP-028 MSEP-038” or open the MSEP-028/MSEP-038 entries)
• Or from sites that mirror the “Project-Guidelines” PDF for MSEP-028

Everything below is summarized from that manual so you don’t have to read the whole thing immediately.

2. Official Calendar (very important)

All deadlines are slot-based and common to both MSEP-028 & MSEP-038:

(A) Project Proposal (Synopsis) submission – to Study Centre

Twice a year:

• 1st slot: 1 January – 15 March
• 2nd slot: 1 July – 15 September

You submit the proposal + proforma to your concerned Study Centre (by hand or by registered post).

(B) Approval of proposal

• Study Centre normally processes it in about 15 days after they receive it.
  (You must contact your Study Centre to know the status.)

(C) Project Report submission (after approval) – hard + soft copy

You must submit:

1. One hard-bound copy of the report to your Study Centre, and
2. Soft copy uploaded on the link provided on IGNOU’s website.

Again, two slots:

• For proposals approved in 1 Jan – 15 Mar slot →
  Report submission: 1 April – 30 June
• For proposals approved in 1 Jul – 15 Sept slot →
  Report submission: 1 October – 31 December

(D) Viva-voce (Oral exam)

• For reports submitted 1 April – 30 June → Viva in July
• For reports submitted 1 October – 31 December → Viva in January

Viva is conducted by the Regional/Study Centre (physically or online via Google Meet/Zoom; not by phone/email).

How to choose an IGNOU MSCIS Project Topic?

Use this filter before finalising a topic:

1. Security relevance
   The topic must link to confidentiality, integrity, availability, access control, audit, forensics, or risk.
2. Feasibility
   The work must be possible within time and tools available.
3. Ethics and permission
   Testing must stay within lab systems or approved targets.
4. Measurable output
   The project must produce evidence: scans, logs, test results, policy gaps, risk tables, or improved settings.
5. Clear boundaries
   Define what is included and excluded to avoid scope creep.

High-demand MSCIS project areas (with safe scope)

1) Network security (lab-based)

Suitable outcomes:

• firewall rule review and improvement
• secure network segmentation plan and test proof
• basic intrusion alert testing using sample traffic

Evidence to include:

• network diagram
• before/after rules summary
• test logs and screenshots

2) Web application security (demo app in lab)

Suitable outcomes:

• identify common flaws (input checks, auth issues)
• patch and retest
• document secure settings

Evidence to include:

• test steps
• findings table (risk, impact, fix)
• retest proof for each fix

3) System hardening and compliance checks

Suitable outcomes:

• hardening checklist for Windows/Linux
• baseline build and validation
• policy-to-configuration mapping

Evidence to include:

• checklist with pass/fail
• config proof
• audit output files

4) Digital forensics (controlled case)

Suitable outcomes:

• incident timeline from given artifacts
• evidence handling steps and notes
• file activity summary

Evidence to include:

• chain-of-custody format
• timeline table
• key artifacts and reasoning

5) Risk assessment and control planning

Suitable outcomes:

• asset list, threat list, risk rating
• controls plan and priority order
• small test drill (backup restore test)

Evidence to include:

• risk register table
• control map
• test results for the drill

MSCIS Topic ideas (ready-to-use titles) for MSEP-028 and MSEP-038

These topics are easy to justify and simple to manage in a lab:

• “Security audit and hardening of a small Linux server used for file sharing”
• “Web application security testing of a demo portal with fixes and retesting”
• “Risk assessment and control plan for a small computer lab”
• “Email security review: SPF/DKIM/DMARC planning and policy impact study”
• “Incident response drill for ransomware scenario in a lab environment”
• “User access review and least privilege plan for a small team setup”
• “Forensic analysis of a simulated data leak case using a disk image”
• “Network segmentation and firewall policy improvement for a sample office design”

Image: Trending Project Topics for IGNOU MSCIS (MSEP-028 and MSEP-038)

Writing a strong MSCIS synopsis (proposal)

A synopsis is often the first quality gate. A solid synopsis usually has these parts:

A) Title (clear and narrow)

Bad: “Cyber Security Project”
Better: “Web security testing of a demo login portal with fixes and validation”

B) Problem statement (2–5 lines)

Explain the security gap in simple terms and state why it matters.

C) Objectives (3–6 points)

Objectives must be measurable. Use action verbs:

• identify
• test
• compare
• implement
• validate
• document

Example objectives:

• Identify security gaps in the selected system using a defined checklist.
• Apply fixes for the top five findings.
• Validate fixes through retesting and record results.

D) Scope and limitations

Define boundaries clearly:

• included systems
• excluded systems
• time and tool limits
• data handling limits

E) Methodology (short and structured)

Keep it simple:

• environment setup
• baseline testing
• control changes or fixes
• validation testing
• analysis and reporting

F) Tools and resources (only what is needed)

Mention operating systems, VMs, and testing tools as required.

G) Timeline (week-wise plan)

Example 8-week plan:

1. topic freeze + environment plan
2. setup + baseline evidence
3. testing round 1 + findings list
4. fixes / controls changes
5. retest + evidence capture
6. analysis + tables
7. report writing + formatting
8. final proofread + viva prep

IGNOU MSCIS Project Report Format (recommended structure)

A clean format makes evaluation easier. This structure suits most project types:

1. Title Page
2. Certificate/Declaration (as applicable)
3. Acknowledgement (optional)
4. Abstract (120–200 words)
5. Table of Contents
6. List of Figures/Tables (if used)
7. Chapter 1: Introduction
   • background
   • problem statement
   • objectives
   • scope and limits
8. Chapter 2: Review of key concepts
   • only what is used in the project
   • avoid long theory copy
9. Chapter 3: Methodology and Setup
   • environment details
   • steps followed
   • tools and versions
10. Chapter 4: Results and Findings

• outputs, logs, screenshots
• findings table

11. Chapter 5: Discussion

• what results mean
• risk impact
• trade-offs and limits

12. Conclusion and Future Work
13. Appendix

• extended logs
• checklists
• extra screenshots

Important: Keep headings consistent. Keep paragraphs short. Use tables for results.

Guide/Supervisor selection in MSCIS Project

For MSCIS/PGDIS projects (MSEP-028 & MSEP-038), the “guide/supervisor” part is not something you freely appoint on your own in the way many other universities do—the official project flow is routed through your Study Centre.

1. Contact your Study Centre coordinator and ask for the project guide/supervisor / project proposal evaluator details for MSEP-028 or MSEP-038. (Even many student-help portals also point you to the Study Centre coordinator for supervisor details.)
2. Shortlist 2–3 topics in your area (risk management, security policy, network security, incident response, etc.) and share them—Study Centres usually map you to whoever can evaluate/mentor that domain.
3. Follow whatever the Study Centre asks for (some centres may want a brief email request, some may allot a name verbally, some may ask you to write the guide name on the first page—rules vary by centre, but the control stays with the Study Centre as per the guideline’s enquiry/approval routing).

Copy-paste message you can send to your Study Centre

Subject: Request for Project Guide/Supervisor Allotment – MSEP-028 / MSEP-038
Hello Sir/Ma’am,
I am enrolled in MSCIS, (Enrolment No: ___), Study Centre: ___. I am in (2nd / 4th) semester and want to submit my Project Proposal for (MSEP-028 / MSEP-038).
Kindly share/confirm the project guide/supervisor (project proposal evaluator) allotment process and the name/contact of the faculty I should coordinate with for proposal approval.
Thank you,
Name, Phone, Email

Evaluation and Viva in MSCIS Project: what to prepare

Project performance is not only about writing. The evaluation model commonly includes:

• Project report evaluation
• Viva-voce, which is compulsory and part of the final result

Because the viva checks understanding, preparation should cover:

• why the topic matters
• what method was used and why
• what was found (top 3 findings)
• what changed after fixes or control changes
• what would be done next with more time

Final MSCIS Project Submission Checklist

• Topic aligns with objectives and scope stays stable
• Proposal and report match each other
• Report includes evidence: outputs, logs, tables, screenshots
• Findings link to security impact and practical controls
• Language stays formal and clear; grammar stays consistent
• Viva notes cover aim, method, results, and limits

Must Read: IGNOU Project Submission Guide

Practical Applicability of IGNOU MSCIS Project (MSEP-028/038)

Here are some strategies to effectively demonstrate the practical applicability of MSCIS project work:

• Identify Real-World Problems: Clearly articulate the real-world problems or challenges that your MSCIS project aims to address. Provide context by explaining why these problems are significant and how they affect individuals, organizations, or society.
• Align with Industry Needs: Align your project with current industry needs, trends, or demands in the field of information security. Research industry reports, job postings, or market analyses to identify relevant areas where your MSCIS project can make a tangible difference.
• Provide Use Cases or Scenarios: Present practical use cases or scenarios to illustrate how your project can be applied in real-world settings. Describe specific situations, workflows, or user interactions where your MSEP-028/038 project solution would be beneficial.
• Prototype or Proof-of-Concept: Develop a prototype or proof-of-concept to demonstrate the functionality and feasibility of your project solution. Use mockups, wireframes, or prototypes to showcase the user interface, features, and interactions of your project.
• Implement a Pilot Study: Conduct a small-scale pilot study or field test to validate the practical applicability of your project in a real-world environment. Gather feedback from users, stakeholders, or domain experts to evaluate the usability, effectiveness, and relevance of your MSCIS project solution.
• Showcase Tangible Results: Highlight tangible results, outcomes, or benefits achieved through your project implementation. Quantify the impact of your project in terms of cost savings, efficiency gains, performance improvements, or other measurable metrics.
• Address Scalability and Sustainability: Consider the scalability and sustainability of your project solution in real-world deployment scenarios. Discuss how your project can be scaled up to larger systems, extended to new use cases, or maintained over time to ensure long-term viability.
• Integrate with Existing Systems: Explore opportunities to integrate your project solution with existing systems, platforms, or technologies commonly used in the industry. Demonstrate compatibility, interoperability, or complementarity with established tools or frameworks.
• Provide User Testimonials or Case Studies: Collect user testimonials, case studies, or success stories to showcase the practical impact and value of your project from the perspective of end-users, clients, or stakeholders. Highlight specific instances where your project has made a positive difference.
• Engage with Industry Partners: Collaborate with industry partners, organizations, or stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to ensure relevance and applicability to real-world needs. Seek input, guidance, and validation from industry professionals to enhance the practicality of your MSCIS project.

FAQs in IGNOU MSCIS Project for MSEP-028 and MSEP-038

Downloadable Resources

• IGNOU MSCIS Project Synopsis Sample PDF
• IGNOU MSEP-028/038 Project Sample PDF
• IGNOU MSCIS Project Topics

Conclusion

In the Master of Science (Information Security) – MSCIS, your project is more than a semester requirement—it’s the place where you prove you can think like a security professional. Whether it’s risk assessment, security policy, network/web application security, incident response, vulnerability analysis, or digital forensics, the goal is the same: show you can define a real problem, apply a sound methodology, justify your controls/tools, and communicate results with clarity. If you align your topic, synopsis, report, and viva with core information security outcomes—confidentiality, integrity, availability, threat modeling, mitigation strategy, and measurable impact—your MSEP-028 and MSEP-038 work becomes both exam-ready and career-relevant, giving you a project you can confidently defend and showcase.

Ready to start your MSCIS project?
Visit ignouproject.com or contact us to get approved-topic ideas, synopsis format, report index templates, and viva prep resources for MSEP-028 & MSEP-038.