Computer & Network Security

Bachelor of Science

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About This Program

Philosophy

Today, businesses of all sizes depend upon a networked computer system connected to the Internet. Computer and network technologies have greatly increased employee productivity, elevated the status of "information" to that of a corporate asset, and reduced the cost of doing business. Unfortunately, the same technology that makes life easier for the employee, makes life more difficult for the IT professionals whose responsibility it is to secure the organization’s vital data. To protect themselves, companies seek professionals with the strongest security credentials available. In order to address such workplace demands, a program of study has been crafted that provides not only a foundation for the core of the degree, but allied focus areas have been included beyond the discipline to provide a well-rounded education. The General Studies core and support courses interact with the security core to deliver a "complete package."

Purpose

The Computer and Network Security (CNS) Bachelor of Science degree will provide students with credentials specializing in digital information security, information assurance, and computer forensics. Students trained in CNS will be fully equipped to work within today’s rapidly expanding job market. (Computer and Network Security is projected as the second fastest growing occupation by the US Department of Labor Statistics; the BLS projects a 59 percent increase in the occupation for workers with a bachelor’s degree from 2002 through 2012).

What You Will Learn

In addition to becoming well-prepared for a technical career, students will also enhance their writing, verbal communications and analytical thinking skills. Graduates of the program will have a better understanding of the following topics:

• Legal Aspects of Data
• How content of e-mail and other documentation may be used in a court of law to satisfy the “rules of evidence”
• The core of the degree combines courses offered by the Legal Studies and Criminal Justice programs to supplement the technology-oriented courses
• Ethics

Understanding ethical practices associated with the role of a computer professional, including issues relating to copyright protection, intellectual property, and user privacy.

• History

Students will learn the history of network and computer security, and how issues have changed with the rapid advances in technology.

Program Competencies

Upon completion of the CNS degree program students will be able to:

• Apply theory and practice to contemporary professional projects
• Appreciate the traditions and sensitivities of his/her chosen profession
• Demonstrate appropriate analytical skills
• Demonstrate effective communication through the expression of written, oral, and visual ideas
• Demonstrate flexibility in meeting the challenges of an evolving global environment
• Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior in and out of the academic environment
• Demonstrate personal skills in self-management, information processing, and problem solving
• Display attitudes of adaptability, curiosity, self-confidence, and flexibility
• Qualify for a professional position in his/her chosen career field
• Demonstrate knowledge of the skills and techniques used in computer forensics
• Demonstrate a thorough grasp of the security principles and practices implemented at the computer operating systems level
• Demonstrate the ability to create effective security policies and procedures for network and web infrastructure
• Demonstrate knowledge in the concepts and practices used to protect an organization’s data from attack
• Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and techniques used to provide computer network security

What You Can Do With This Degree

This new degree will help prepare students for positions with titles such as:

• Security Technician
• Security Analyst
• Security Administrator
• Security Auditor

The Computer and Network Security (CNS) Bachelor of Science degree will provide students with credentials specializing in digital information security and will also qualify students to “sit” for the following industry recognized certifications:

• CISA - Certified Information System Auditor
• CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional
• Security+ Certification
• CompTIA Network+