Computer and Network Security, Bachelor of Science

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 also makes life easier for cyber criminals and 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 also support from related disciplines to provide a well-rounded education. The General Education core and support courses interact with the security core to deliver a “complete package.”

Purpose

Information Security is listed among the fastest growing occupations by the US Department of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to the BLS, the number of people employed as information security analysts is projected to increase by 18% between 2014 and 2024. To put it in perspective, that is fifty percent more than the projected growth for computer occupations and more than double the projected growth rate for all occupations. 

See www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-6 for more details. 

The workforce need was further highlighted in a widely cited article published by Peninsula Press, a Project of Stanford Journalism. The authors estimated the number of unfilled cybersecurity positions in 2015 at 209,000 in the U.S. alone. 

http://peninsulapress.com/2015/03/31/cybersecurity-jobs-growth/

Center of Academic Excellence (CAE)

Wilmington University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity through academic year 2021 by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

This is a nationally recognized designation that Wilmington University’s Computer and Network Security curricula, faculty, outreach and academic activities meet the rigorous standards established by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The goal of the National Centers of Academic Excellence designation program is to promote higher education in Information Assurance (IA) and Cyber Defense (CD) and prepare a growing number of IA/CD professionals to meet the need to reduce vulnerabilities in the Nation’s networks.

Highly Ranked Program 

Whereas the CNS program is offered both face-to-face and online, WilmU was pleased to learn that the online offering was ranked #1 in the country in 2017 by BestColleges.com:

http://www.bestcolleges.com/features/top-online-bachelors-in-cybersecurity/#best-school-rankings

Program Competencies

Students in the Computer and Network Security Program (B.S.) will be able to:

• Apply the ethical principles required of computer professionals;
• Demonstrate technical knowledge in Information Assurance necessary to prepare for an entry level position in the Computer and Network Security field;
• Analyze requirements for Information Security projects using best practices and current methodologies;
• Employ the process used to analyze, design, implement, test and deliver Information Assurance projects;
• Demonstrate knowledge of best practices used to manage Computer and Network Security projects; and
• Practice the use and employ the benefit of library resources, including subscription services and other sources generally accepted as legitimate and valid.

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.

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

• CISA - Certified Information System Auditor
• CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional
• Security+ 
• Network+​
• ACE - computer forensics certification
• A+
• Linux+

What You Can Do With this Degree

The term Cybersecurity is still fairly new and the category of jobs involving cybersecurity are very broad. The federal government initiated an effort called the National Cybersecurity Framework a few years ago to help provide some clarity and structure. The following sample job titles are taken from this framework (http://csrc.nist.gov/nice/framework/national_cybersecurity_workforce_framework_03_2013_version1_0_interactive.pdf) and are among the roles for which the CNS program helps prepare students:

• Computer Crime Investigator
• Computer Network Defense Forensic Analyst
• Computer Support Specialist
• Computer Systems Analyst
• Cybersecurity Intelligence Analyst
• Digital Forensic Examiner
• Ethical Hacker
• Incident Analyst
• Information Security Analyst
• Intrusion Analyst
• Intrusion Detection System Administrator
• Network Administrator
• Network Analyst
• Network Defense Technician
• Network Forensic Examiner
• Network Security Specialist
• Penetration Tester
• Risk/Vulnerability Analyst
• Security Administrator
• Security Engineer
• Security Specialist
• Systems Analyst
• Systems Engineer
• Systems Security Analyst
• Technical Support Specialist