IGNOU PGDIS Project for MSEP 28 – Complete Guide on Format & Submission

It is in the IGNOU PGDIS project on MSEP 28 where the application of cybersecurity is put to practice. Selecting a guide and a topic, writing down your synopsis, organizing the report, and viva-preparation this project has to be planned and has to follow the guidelines of IGNOU. Keep yourself organized, make deadlines and above all go after clarity in the work done as well as the presentation so as to succeed.

Key Highlights

• Background of the Course: The PG Diploma in Information Security (PGDIS) of IGNOU is a 1-year, 32-credit course in computer security. The MSEP-028 is a credit second semester project.
• Career Orientation: At the end of Semester-1, students choose a topic, meet an eligible guide and within the advertisement deadlines published by IGNOU, hand in a synopsis.
• Guidelines & Format: The final report should be in form of IGNOU- A4, 100-125 pages with the promise of originality and with the approved project proposal.
• Topics & Synopsis: Opt to such topics as network security, digital forensics, or data privacy. The good synopsis (812 pages) contains the title, purpose, background, and methodology.
• Project Guide: The supervisors will have to fulfil the eligibility of IGNOU (e.g., M.Phil/PhD or M. Sc. with also teaching experience). A guide-consent form signed (Appendix II) is required.
• Submission and Fee: The submission of the project is done twice a year. Due dates: July session– late may, January session– late november. Evaluation fee: 300 (Rs) on a 4- credit project (to be paid with an exam form).
• Evaluation + Viva: 150 marks of the project + 50 marks of viva. Both need at least 50 percent. Be prepared to provide a clear explanation of goals, tools and findings.

Overview of IGNOU PGDIS Project (MSEP-028)

A 1 yearlong UGC approved diploma, IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Information Security (PGDIS) serves to develop skills that help maintain information protection and IT system security. The students are trained on network security, cybersecurity, digital forensics, information security policies etc. A project work which known as the MSEP-028 (Project-I) based on practical work is the finishing of the PGDIS in the 2nd semester. The current project is intended to contribute to the elimination of knowledge imbalances and implementation of theory into reality as far as security issues are concerned.

What is the MSEP-028 in the PGDIS Programme?

The second semester course code is MSEP-028; the project of the PGDIS. It is a research/ project work in Information Security of a semester. The IGNOU allows the learners to take 4-6 months on MSEP-028 and discuss issues such as Wikileaks case studies, cybercrime in India, e-signature security, and e-governance issues, etc. That is, MSEP-028 gives you the opportunity to make use of what you have learned in your course to solve a real-life InfoSec issue. You have to get your project proposal sanctioned (through IGNOU proforma) prior to starting.

Definition and importance of MSEP-28 in information Security

As stipulated in the official IGNOU Project Guidelines, the vision of the MSCIS/PGDIS project is developing quality solution to the provision of information security. The project focus is on the study and application of principles of fundamental practices in InfoSec in order that you are able to handle large-scale IT security projects in future. The project does not only want you to pass the diploma process, but it is a minor part of it, in a sense, the whole task that allows you to show your ability to portray your competence and expertise in the field of Information Security. Having passed MSEP-028, you will be able to demonstrate practical problem solving: choosing a safe architecture, understanding data breaches, fabricating a prototype system, etc. Concisely, MSEP-028 will close the gap between the theory and the practical knowledge of InfoSec.

How and When to begin Your IGNOU Project in PGDIS?

The project proposals to MSEP-028 are treated as process-driven and IGNOU accepts project proposals in two cycles per year (usually between Jan 1-Mar 15 and Jul 1-Sep 15). It is possible to provide your synopsis when you enter the second semester of the PGDIS program. This implies that the course and assignments of your first semester would have to be finished before.

What is the Way to Start?

1. Algorithm: You should begin by choosing an area of interest in cybersecurity such as network security, cryptography, cloud security or digital forensics. Consider what makes you excited or even you can even use work experience.
2. Ask a Guide: Consult with a qualified and approved IGNOU supervisor on ideas. Cumulatively, take your idea and turn it into a discrete researchable problem e.g. biometric authentication systems or risk mitigation in enterprise networks.
3. Write the Synopsis: Develop a well-organised project proposal (812 pages) that contains:
4. Title of the project
5. Background and Rationale
6. Objectives
7. Methodology
8. Field of study and boundaries
9. On Time submission: the completed proposal form with the guide consent letter should be attached and handed in to the study centre in time before the deadline.
10. Wait for Approval: Waiting is a 15- day issue at IGNOU. In case this is passed through, initiate the project work. Otherwise, correct them according to the suggestions and resubmit.

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Step-by-Step Summary:

• Pick the topic together with your guide
• write and submit synopsis + requisite forms
• Wait for approval (15days)
• enterprise- Claudia, carry out the research or development work
• This part involves writing your project report
• Manage to attend the viva-voce at a scheduled time

IGNOU PGDIS Project Guidelines and format (MSEP-028)

MSEP-028 project at IGNOU has an objective guiding framework. The rules involving eligibility, structure of the report, approval and formatting are necessary so as to avoid delay or rejection.

Qualification Criteria

• ✔️MSEP-028 can be submitted by only students in Semester 2 or later into PGDIS.
• ✅ It is necessary that you have given all the Semester 1 courses and assignments.
• 📌 There are no additional qualifications that are required but overdue fees should be cleared.
• 📝 One must adequately fill in Project Proposal Proforma upon submitting synopsis.

Structuring of Project Report

Your end product (report, approximately 100-125 pages) must contain:

1.           Front Matter

• Title Page (containing the name of all students)
• Certificate of Originality
• Skipper Certificate (in case of Guide)
• Acknowledgment

2.           Approval Documents

• Authorised Proposal Proforma
• duplicate of the signed project synopsis

3.           Main Content

• ✅ Table of Content
• ✅ Introduction and objectives
• ✅ literature review
• ✅ Methodology (tools, techniques, data)
• ✅ Results/Analysis
• ✅ Case study/Observations (Where applicable)
• ✅ Conclusion and suggestions
• ✅ Rick Scope
• ✅ References/Bibliography (the correct citation form)

Be visual when there is a need to, such as a table or diagram, but make sure it is clear and well labeled.

Figure 1: IGNOU MSEP 28 Project Structure (Cover Page to Bibliography)

Guidelines on Project Approval

• 🔒 Approval Required: IGNOU will not allow final report without the synopsis approval.
• 🕙 Privacy Period: It can be a response time of 15 days after the submission.
• 🔄 Good Only in a Single Session: in case you miss the deadline last submission, the remaining session requires re-approval.
• ❌ Fail = Start Over: When your project fails, you will be back to top with another theme.
• Strict Compliance: Non-compliance with IGNOU format, deadline or ethics could result to rejection of the project or disciplinary measures. A plagiarism must be avoided.

Format and word count

• Report Length: Target 100-125 A4 pages, around 30,000-40,000 words, double-spaced.
• Synopsis Length: Typically, 8–12 pages (2000 to 3000 words); IGNOU tends to recommend 12 to 15 to give it detail.
• Font size: 12, Times New Roman, double spaced.
• Margins: 1-inch all around.
• Page Numbering: Make sure there is consistent pagination in the report and ToC.
• Originality Certificate: Has to be signed by you and your guide (IGNOU format). No material shall be copied, and all the material has to be done manually.

Tips to Sum Up

• To be organized and have a citation, utilize such programs as MS Word, LaTeX, or reference managers.
• Don not use filler theory– work on your project.
• Diagrams or charts? Great! Their only requirement is to label them well and include only what will support your findings.

List of IGNOU PGDIS Project Topics

To trigger the ideas, many IGNOU students begin searching through the sample topic lists. There are the following topics of MSEP-028 based on previous projects and study guides. There is a variety of projects in Information Security exemplified by the following:

• Formulation of an Information Security Policy Framework of Organisations in India.
• A Study of Risk Management in Information Security
• A study on how organizations are able to detect and manage security risks.
• Security Architectures Designs and Analysis of Software Defined Radio.
• Proactive Threat Management of Securing Software Systems.
• Security Analysis of Smart Bluetooth Devices – increasing the range and securing the communications.
• Biometric Security Systems: Technology and Applications (e.g. fingerprint or iris scanning).
• Recent Trends in Securing Software Systems (survey of the current best practices).
• E-Commerce Security Threats: An investigation of online business users and countermeasures.
• Core Banking of Cooperative Banks-Information Security Systems.

Figure 2: “Top 10 IT Project Topics for IGNOU PGDIS”

Tips: Ask faculty or peers to comment on your list of topics. Target something timely and something that you can research. Make use of credible sources like IGNOU syllabus itself, academic journals, and even forums to make sure that you do not use some topic that is out-dated or too insignificant.

How to Write the IGNOU PGDIS Project Synopsis?

The synopsis (project proposal) is a brief document which describes what you are going to do. It is important to have a well-structured synopsis since it establishes your whole work. The good MSEP-028 synopsis must contain the following:

• Title of proposed project
• Background of the Study
• Literature Review
• Rationale of the Study
• Research questions or objectives
• Hypothesis (optional)
• Research Methodology
• Scope and Limitations
• What do you expect to produce?
• References/Bibliography

This is the format of IGNOU PGDIS guidelines (recommended). It takes care that the reviewers (in your Study Centre) are aware of your plan. The synopsis tends to be between 8-12 pages (typed; 2 spaced). The synopsis should be in 8-12 pages and the full report in 100-120 pages as prescribed in some of the documents at IGNOU.

📌 For a visual guide and templates, refer to:
👉 How to write IGNOU Synopsis/Proposal?

Synopsis Sample Layout (as a guide only):

Title Page: This is a page that contains a project title, a student name, enrolment, programme (PGDIS), the study centre, and session.

• Introduction/Background: A couple of paragraphs regarding the background of the subject.
• Objectives: Bullet lists of what you are looking or you are constructing.
• Scope: What project will include (e.g. This project will deal with small enterprise network security) It is not going to cover mobile devices (It will not cover mobile devices).
• Literature Review: Few paragraphs which cite several crucial studies or standards.
• Methodology: Report procedures: procedures of collecting data, instruments, data analysis techniques, etc.
• Project Plan (optional): schedule or milestones.
• References: A few (at least, several) standard-style citations.

Make sure that it is typed and neatly on A4 paper, in double space, and include the necessary proforma and guide letter (Appendices). Use language in a very formal and clear way. Put transition words between ideas (however, therefore). And do not forget to proofread it properly, a neat synopsis leaves a good impression.

IGNOU PGDIS Project Guide Supervisor selection

Your project will have a qualified mentor (supervisor). IGNOU has well defined guidelines on who may act as a guide:

• The guide may be an IGNOU faculty (of any Study/Regional Centre), and even of the head quarters of the University.
• Educational/ Experience Requirements: As per the IGNOU regulations, the guide should possess one of the following:
• An M.Phil., Ph.D. in Information Security (Not less than 2 years of experience as a teacher in the UG/PG level),
• OR a Master Degree in Information Security and at least 2 years of teaching experience at graduate level,
• OR a Master degree in Information Security, having a teaching experience of not less than 5 years at the undergraduate level.

It is also possible that your work will provide you with the right guide, as long as they have these qualifications, in case you work in the industry. Though, as far as official practice is concerned, a guide must be obtained by an IGNOU-related centre, where possible.

Finding & Getting Approval from a Guide

• Chase Potential Guides: Seek a list of approved supervisors at your Study Centre, or go to professors you are familiar with to see what their reaction is to the possibilities. IGNOU faculty does not restrict you to search their lists online too. Comment on your project subject and find out who has interest.
• Consent Letter: After a guide has agreed with you, a signed consent letter from the guide needs to be received (which you can find as Appendix II in the proforma of IGNOU). According to this letter, your project will be under the guidance of the guide.
• Forms: Send the signed letter consenting to the guide along with the completed Proforma to approve the project proposal with your synopsis. IGNOU will fail to scrutinize your proposal without these documents. Ensure that you have copies of all things as your record.

With a proper guide, your project might be tremendously enhanced. A good supervisor will assist in reining in your topic, give suggestion on methodology and go through drafts. Do not be afraid to ask questions or to give feedback when you work.

How to write IGNOU PGDIS Project Report?

The last step is the writing of the full project report. It entails arranging your work, study and findings in a logical report. The following are the guidelines that will assist you write effectively:

Errorless Writing Step-by-Step Process

1. Synopsis Your Chapters: With the outline given above (ToC, Intro, etc.), give the outline of each chapter in terms of headings and subheadings. Prearrange what in which position.
2. Complete Background and Theory: Complete Introduction and Literature Review. Brevity in theory take what is immediately relevant in your project.
3. Give a Description of Methodology: Describe your procedure. Did you create software? What sort of tools/tech stack did you create it in? In case you used experiments or survey, tell how you arranged them.
4. Current Results/Analysis: Publish or state the results. Where useful, use figures, tables or screenshots (with caption). Explain what the findings imply in your site.
5. Write Conclusion: Briefly describe what you have done and how it fits to the aims. Mention any weaknesses and propose improvements.
6. Compile References: List all the sources used, in one common style of citation (APA, IEEE and so on).
7. Appendices: include supplementary information as the accepted proposal, code snippets, data examples, or perusal calculations as required.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Violation of the Guidelines: Failure to adhere to the official IGNOU Project Format or due date is an easy way of inviting punishment. Always check out the section with guidelines.
• Too Much Words: Do not copy a long textbook theory or filler texts. Your project should be emphasized. IGNOU teaches not to use some generic stuff but project specific analysis.
• Ignoring Originality: Do not copy and paste it out of the internet. Projects should be innovative. In case of plagiarism detected, your case will be referred to exam discipline committee by IGNOU.
• Inefficiency at Time Management: It is dangerous to start late. Keep every intermediary deadline (proposal submission, report submission) in mind.
• Weak Synopsis/Proposal: The synopsis gets underrated by most students. When the proposal during a meeting is weak or vague, the report becomes difficult to write. Make sure that you have a well-worked synopsis and it is passed.
• Ignoring Viva Prep: Never neglect to study viva-voce. Failing to take this oral exam may prove to be expensive in terms of failing the exam (see below).

These disadvantages are achievable by writing and rechecking everything to come up with a robust project report.

IGNOU PGDIS Project Submission Process.

When you have a project report, you need to send it as per the procedure as specified by IGNOU. Entries are usually online and offline:

One is online submission and the other is offline submission.

• Offline (Hard Copy): As a general rule, you have to provide your Study Centre with a hardcopy of your report. The evaluation copy is the print out. Determine the copy requirements (usually a bound copy).
• Online (Portal Upload): IGNOU also has an online submission portal of projects. To take an example, during the June 2024 term-end, learners were instructed to post by May 31, 2024. Initial checks, including the record-keeping, are done in the online system. During uploading scan your report into one PDF file.
• File Format: The pages must come in the ordered sequence (no breaking in between portrait and landscape). The initial page of the PDF should contain the information about you (project title, name, enrollment no., programme code, RC code, course code(s), mobile/email).
• Attachments: Ensure that the signed project proposal proforma, signed accessory to the synopsis, the bio-data of your guide and a signed Certificate of Originality (which is signed by both you and your guide) be included in the PDF. Without any of these IGNOU will not accept the submission.
• Deadlines: Do not make late submissions. Any given delay (not to mention a delay of a day) will typically entail overlooking that term assessment. As an illustration, IGNOU declared: The last date to submit online is 31- May-2024 of the June 2024 exam.
• Receipt: In case of online or offline submitting, have some evidence. In the case of offline, take a dated receipt. In the case of online, write down a reference number. Making sure that your submission was made (portals usually mail a confirmation).

Timelines on Project approval and evaluation

• Once you have sent the synopsis, the approval should be granted in 15 days.
• When you have submitted your final report, IGNOU will check it out (150 marks) and fix the viva-voce (50 marks). Typically:
• When you submit April-June, the viva will tend to be in July.
• When you submit Oct-Dec the viva should be in January.
• Students are informed of the viva date, by their Study Centre or the Regional Centre. These may be a face-to-face or a virtual viva. You have to enquire of the Study Centre to know the precise timing.

Figure 3: “IGNOU PGDIS Project Approval & Submission Workflow”

Important Dates and Project Fees

• Evaluation Fee: According to the latest notice (Jan 2023 onwards), the evaluation fee of projects with up to 4 credits is Rs.300 (which, in the case of MSEP-028, is a 4-credit work). Had you placed a project on a higher credit, then it would be 500 Rs. This payment has to be done alongside your Term-End exam form payment. The fee receipt requires not to be attached with the project to be considered in IGNOU.
• Fee Submission: Put the payment receipt with your project submission (scanned, in the case of online submissions), or attach it to your hard copy. This fee is normally paid together with your term end exam or assignments submissions that year.
• Important Dates: IGNOU releases a Program Calendar during every session. The most important dates to remember will be: the deadline of the synopsis and final report deadline. These are dates which change by year. As an example, a recent FAQ stated that July-session synopsis was doable 30 Nov and project 31 May (Jan-session synopsis doable 30 Sep and project 30 Nov). Also see the updated IGNOU PGDIS Calendar or the announcements on the IGNOU web site/Regional Centre at all times. Failure to meet deadline can prove costly causing you to wait other session.

IGNOU PGDIS Project Assessment and viva Process

How Marks are Given?

The assessment will in two sections which are the project report and the viva-voce. IGNOU sets aside 150 marks as the project report in writing and 50 marks as the viva-voce. In order to complete the course of the project (MSEP-028) you need to reach a mark of at least 50 percent in each component. This implies that you must have scored at least 75/150 in report and 25/50 in viva. Both components are essential e.g. failing to do the viva but making a submission of a report would result to the project not being complete.

In assessment, the whole part of your report (content, methodology, analysis, conclusions, and its writing quality) will be checked by the instructors (ethical compliances and format are also taken into account). During the viva, examiners tend to confirm:

• How well you know and understand the objectives of the project and why it is relevant.
• The way in which you have carried out the research and the reasons that have led you to the selection of particular methods.
• What was the most critical findings and what do they mean?
• Associated knowledge of what you have studied in your PGDIS (e.g they may quiz you on related things you have studied in your course).

Book a date to take the viva on the allotted time. IGNOU goes on to indicate clearly that in case you do not show up in viva, your project mark will be pending.

Sample Questions for PGDIS Viva

Although the questions are variable, questions commonly asked at a viva-voce of a PGDIS project may be:

• Project fundamentals: What is the title of your project and what are its principal goals?
• Justification: “Why this topic: why did you devise this topic and why is it important to information security?”
• Methodology: “Describe how you got around doing it (tools/software/tests) and why.”
• Results: “What (are) your key results or findings?”
• Conceptual: Describe an important concept in your report (that is, what is encryption or network vulnerability) and how it applies to your project.
• Revisions: Suppose you had more time; how would you continue or even advance this work?

Before the viva, you should consider looking over your report. Practice and be able to articulate each section well and be able to answer subsequent questions on how you have come to those conclusions. Just bear in mind, examiners spell check both your comprehension and your communication.

Download PDFs

As a reference, the sample documents may be found at IGNOU and education websites:

• PGDIS (MSEP-28) Project Synopsis Sample (PDF)
• MSEP 028 Sample PDF Project Report
• Sample list of project topic in PGDIS IGNOU PDF

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PGDIS Project (MSEP 28)

Q: What is really the IGNOU PGDIS MSEP-028 project?

A: The code of the first (second-semester) project in a PG Diploma in Information Security (PGDIS) program is MSEP-028. It is a project-/research work in which you combine your knowledge of info-security to a real-world issue. To get the diploma, this project (and a viva) has to be completed.

Q: Who can do MSEP-028 project?

A: Project proposal can only be done by students enrolled in the PGDIS program that have registered in the 2nd semester (i.e. have successfully passed Semester 1). All the first-semester courses/assignments have to be passed and any fees have to be paid. That is the only eligibility requirement.

Q: What is the rating cost to check the project?

A: MSEP-028 (4-credit project) fee will be of Rs.300 (as per the currently applicable rules as on Jan 2023). You will have to pay this together with your form of the term-end exam. Retain the copy of the fee receipt when you send the project; without the copy IGNOU will not pass the evaluation.

Q: Is there any available sample project documents?

A: Yes. The sample synopsis and the PDF of the project in MSEP-028 can be found under eGyankosh and other learning websites that can be found in IGNOU.

In Conclusion (Final words on IGNOU PGDIS Project for MSEP 28)

The IGNOU PGDIS Project for MSEP 28 is a cornerstone of the Diploma in Information Security. It provides an experience to practically use what you have learnt. It may be possible to mark the rather large number of steps (coming up with a pertinent topic, getting a guide to sign off, writing a comprehensive report, and arguing the case in a viva), but certain skills are developed under each of the steps. Planning and following the rules of IGNOU to the T will see you through. Time begins to work at the earlier stage, use the rules of the format, and compare all submissions with the list above.

In case you should feel at some stage stuck, do not forget that help exists. Guidance with the help of their own resources (such as the eGyankosh portal and study centre counseling) can be made available to them along with the assistance of experienced project-assistance providers. And of course, it is an excellent first step to read this guide (and like sources as well). Good luck with your IGNOU PGDIS project stage – 🎓 and with proper preparation and dedication, you will be able to complete MSEP-028 exam, obtain a step closer towards your Information Security diploma.