CYBR - Cybersecurity

Prerequisite: CSIT 555 or CYBR 555 or permission of the instructor. 

Concepts of information assurance and security risk assessment. Protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data and their delivery systems. Topics include security assessment definitions and nomenclature, approaches for risk assessment, high assurance system design and techniques for quantitative and qualitative risk analysis.

Prerequisites: IT 518 or CS 524 or permission of the instructor. 

Theory and practice behind the analysis of computing and networking equipment to determine if systems and networks have been used for illegal, unauthorized or unusual activities.

Prerequisites: CSIT 555 or CYBR 555 or permission of the instructor. 

Examination of the pervasive security threats related to the Internet, data communications and networking. Real-time or near real-time capture of information and the systematic tracking of transmissions. Topics include network-borne threats, detection, prevention and analysis; authentication; malicious software and firewalls.

Prerequisite: Admission to the Graduate School 

Security issues from a managerial, legal and ethical standpoint. Current legal obligations and limitations; linkage of security policy and practices with managerial operations and decision making. Topics include: security law, security policy making & implementation, policy practices & Acceptable Use Policies, and Litigation Avoidance.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of B- in CSIT 555 or CYBR 555 or permission of the instructor. 

Introduction to cryptology, the science of making and breaking secret codes. Topics include encryption, cryptanalysis, public and secret key encryption, block ciphers and digital signatures. Classic and modern cryptography and encryption concepts will be introduced as tools and safeguards to be applied, implemented and evaluated in real-world scenarios.

Data communications, computer networks and open systems. In-depth review of basic terminology and concepts in telecommunication protocols, transmission techniques, network architecture alternatives, internetworking, circuit and packet switching and telecommunication solutions.

Prerequisites: CS 530 or IT 530 and either CYBR 548 or IT 548 or CS 553, or permission of the instructor. 

Technical, operational and managerial issues of computer systems. Threats to computer security including schemes for breaking security, and techniques for detecting and preventing security violations. Emphasis will be on instituting safeguards, examining types of security systems and applying the appropriate level of security for perceived risks.

Prerequisites: CSIT 534 or CYBR 534 or permission of the instructor 

The course covers the methods and techniques associated with cybersecurity penetration testing or ethical hacking. Course topics provide a full cycle of activities related to ethical hacking, ranging from planning, reconnaissance and scanning to exploitation, post-exploitation, result reporting and remediation. The focus is for students to explore how system and network vulnerabilities can be discovered and exploited along with techniques on how to remediate them. The course includes a significant hands-on lab component.

Prerequisites: CSIT 534 or CYBR 534 or permission of the instructor 

The purpose of the semester-long capstone project is to apply, in a hands-on environment, the theoretcial and practical knowledge acquired during the program. During the capstone, students work in small teams and engage in the entire process of working on a real-world cybersecurity project, typically specified by a faculty, industry, or governmental sponsor. Students are required to think critically through real-world scenarios and recognize the value of cybersecurity methodologies. The expected output may be in the form of peer-reviewed journal or conference paper, a software tool or the documentation of a cybersecurity protocol or method.

Prerequisites: Completion of 15 credits beyond foundation courses, 3.5 minimum GPA and Permission from Instructor. This course is designed to provide cybersecurity professionals with a working knowledge and practical application of the topics covered in our cyber courses. The students will apply current research and accepted practices of the cybersecurity field in a variety of professional settings and will perform work supervised by both a professional advisor and a Hood advisor. Based on the description for the external position, students will craft an appropriate research/professional plan, in consultation with his/her Hood advisor. This course will help students synthesize previous concepts and training as they transition to the role of a professional. This course counts as elective credits towards degree completion.