The Principles of Cybersecurity program will provide students with a foundation of the principles of methods and technology that frame and define cybersecurity. Students will gain insight into the importance of cybersecurity and the integral role of cybersecurity professionals. Students will explore foundational cybersecurity principles, security architecture, risk management, attacks, incidents, and emerging IT and IS technologies.
Program Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic IT terminology, concepts, and principles integral to the field of information technology.
• Explain fundamental concepts of information security, including roles, strategic planning, cybersecurity, risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and business continuity.
• Identify essential aspects of cloud computing, including types, characteristics, benefits, challenges, and risks.
• Explain the evolution of cloud computing and services and identify scenarios where cloud products and services can be valuable in enhancing business processes.
• Exhibit comprehension of the basic principles of network security, risk assessments and security audits, and the strategies for attack defense, access control, identity management, and physical security.
• Demonstrate knowledge of advanced cybersecurity concepts necessary for securing network infrastructure across cloud-based and other services, including compliance considerations, network analysis and monitoring, and the use of predictive analytics for maintaining cybersecurity.
Listed below are summaries of each course within the program.
CIS100 Computing Fundamentals 3 Credits
This course will introduce students to basic computer principles. It covers basic IT literacy and ensures one understands the different terminology and the various concepts involved in the IT industry. It serves as a great starting point for those getting started in information technology by providing foundational concepts.
CIS254 IT Fundamentals – Security 3 Credits
This course provides a foundation in information security. Participants will explore foundational concepts, roles, and strategic planning in the field. The course covers cybersecurity, risk identification, assessment, and mitigation. Topics include network and infrastructure security, physical security, cyber threats, social engineering, and business continuity. Students will learn best practices, tools, and methodologies to protect against security risks. By course completion, students will have gained a strong understanding of information security fundamentals and the ability to mitigate risks effectively.
CIS106 Cloud Computing Fundamentals 3 Credits
In this course, students will gain a solid foundation in cloud computing fundamentals, including understanding use cases, types, characteristics, deployment models, benefits, challenges, and risks. The course compares major cloud providers, analyzes trends, explores monitoring tools, and identifies key factors for selecting a cloud platform. Students will evaluate essential aspects of cloud networking, security, load balancing, storage, high availability, and transformation planning.
CIS209 Cloud Computing 3 Credits
Prerequisite: CIS106 Cloud Computing Fundamentals
This course explores the evolution and definition of cloud computing and cloud services. It provides a look at the key characteristics that make cloud services unique and very valuable to some business scenarios. The course provides a review of, and builds upon, the concepts and strategies emerging from the cloud and aims to provide the background needed to determine if and how cloud products and services can improve traditional business processes.
CIS140 Security Fundamentals I 3 Credits
Prerequisite: CIS254 IT Fundamentals – Security
The Security Fundamentals I course introduces the fundamentals of network security. The course covers how to secure networks and mitigate security threats. Students will learn how to perform risk assessments and security audits on a network. Students will learn attack and defense strategies, access control and identity management, cryptography, policies, procedures, and awareness, and physical security.
CIS250 Network Security 3 Credits
Prerequisite: CIS254 IT Fundamentals – Security and CIS140 Security Fundamentals I
This course will equip students with knowledge in cyber security concepts necessary for securing network infrastructure across cloud-based and other services. Topics in this course include Microsoft services such as Azure and 365; important compliance considerations; network analysis and monitoring; and the use of predictive analytics for maintaining cyber security and identifying network attacks.