Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity

Interested in Cyber Security?

Visit the Cyber Security Website!

Cyber security demand is rising!  Consider this information from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 18 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

Demand for information security analysts is expected to be very high. Cyberattacks have grown in frequency, and analysts will be needed to come up with innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or creating problems for computer networks.

The federal government is expected to greatly increase its use of information security analysts to protect the nation’s critical information technology (IT) systems. In addition, as the healthcare industry expands its use of electronic medical records, ensuring patients’ privacy and protecting personal data are becoming more important. More information security analysts are likely to be needed to create the safeguards that will satisfy patients’ concerns.

Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 36 percent in computer systems design and related services from 2014 to 2024. The increasing adoption of cloud services by small- and medium-sized businesses that do not have their own dedicated IT departments could increase the employment of information security analysts in those establishments.

Computer Science Options for majors

There are many courses in Computer Science related to cyber security, in areas such as computer forensics, cryptography, network security, secure software, and ethical hacking.  Computing and Informatics majors as well as Computer Science majors are encouraged to speak to their CS advisor to learn about their options.
 

Computer Science Options for non-majors

Two courses, in particular, are useful for non-majors that are technically inclined.
 
CS 01211: Principles Of Information Security
Students will be exposed to the spectrum of security activities, methods, technologies, and threats. This course will cover a range of key topics in the area of information and computer security including inspection and protection of information assets, detection of and reaction to security threats, taxonomy of security threats, and concentrating on issues in computer and operating systems security, principles of network security, and basics of cryptography
CS 07252: Foundations of Computer Forensics
This interdisciplinary course focuses on the legal and technical principles of digital forensics. Analysis of complex legal issues and current trends in high technology crime will be followed by exploration of formal methodologies and best practices for the forensically sound acquisition and analysis of digital evidence. Social and ethical impacts will also be explored throughout the course as it relates to high technology crime. Hands-on scenario based activities will provide students with opportunities to develop the legal understanding and technical skills that will serve as a foundation to pursue careers in computer forensics in law enforcement and the private sector.

Relevant Courses from Law and Justice

Students interested in cyber security should be well rounded as the discipline encompasses other related areas besides computer science. The following Law and Justice courses are a nice complement to technical studies in cybersecurity.

LAWJ 05175: Survey Of Criminal Justice
This general education approved social science elective course deals with the nature of crime and criminal responsibility, and elements of social control. It also surveys the criminal justice process from original law enforcement contact through the judicial and correctional phases. It includes professional roles and opportunities in the criminal justice field.
LAWJ 05255: Criminal Law
This course offers a comprehensive review of the major common law and statutory crimes including homicide, rape and all related personal and property offenses. The students will be introduced to domestic violence offenses. Considerable attention is given to the social, moral and constitutional frameworks of the criminal law with a review of recent and standard judicial interpretations. It also offers a review of defenses and mitigation.
LAWJ 05369: Theories Of Crime And Criminality
In this course students explore the extent of crime and delinquency in the United States and the full range of relevant theories of causation. They also synthesize and apply appropriate theories to such concepts and topics as race, social class, gangs, drugs, family, schools, and neighborhoods.

A Law & Justice minor is also available.

 

Minor or CUGS in International Studies

Gaining exposure to international political, cultural and religious concerns is important to address root causes of cyber terrorism and cyber crime.

"With the increasing proliferation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the growing opportunity for real-time borderless exchange, cybersecurity is a complex transnational issue that requires global cooperation for ensuring a safe Internet." -- from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Cybersecurity: A global issue demanding a global approach.  (2011)

The importance of foreign languages

Many security agencies, such as the FBI, are placing an increased importance on foreign language skills in the area of security and cyber security.

"FBI Linguists use their knowledge of other cultures and languages to help the FBI fulfill its mission to protect the United States from threats both international and domestic. Linguists work with a team to defend the country against foreign counterintelligence threats, cases of corruption, espionage, cybercrime and other unlawful offenses." -- from the FBI Jobs web site

There are several Certificates of Undergraduate Studies that can help you master a second language such as: 

Students interested in careers in national security who study "critical languages," e.g. Arabic, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese, may be interested in applying for scholarships such as the Boren Scholarship, which pays $8000 for summer study abroad and $10,000/semester for academic year study abroad.