Cybersecurity Intelligence and Information Security, M.S.

College of Arts and Sciences  
Department: School of Information

 

This Major shares a core with the Intelligence Studies, M.S.  

 

---

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity Intelligence and Information Security is an applied graduate major designed to develop information security/cybersecurity professionals who specialize in the intelligence function. The Major is grounded in an innovative STEM-based model for professional analytic education. Based on an integrated technical-analytic curriculum, the program includes a foundation of technical courses that address principles and practices for identifying, assessing, and managing threats to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an organization’s informational assets; the role of cryptographic algorithms and systems in protecting against those threats; and, the technical and operational aspects of data/computer communication networks, including network management and security. Specialized cyber intelligence courses prepare graduates to collect on, and assess the intentions, capabilities, and activities of potential adversaries, malign actors, and insiders in the cyber domain. Cyber Intelligence helps organizations to understand their specific attack surfaces and move beyond a cybersecurity model of perimeter defense to a model that is more proactive by strategically aligning the defensive capabilities with the value/risk of specific company assets.

Major Research Areas: Cybersecurity, Cyber Intelligence, Cyber Operations, Intelligence Analysis, Cyber Analytics, Information Analytics, National Security

Admissions Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

• GRE is not required
• 250-500 word essay describing academic and professional background, reasons for pursuing the degree, and professional goals pertaining to information security and cyber intelligence
• Current professional resume or CV
• Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should come from a faculty member familiar with the applicant’s academic performance and potential. If the applicant is unable to provide the letter from a former professor, with approval from the program’s admission coordinator, letters from other professional sources will be accepted.
• Technical foundation in computing that includes a fundamental knowledge of computer hardware and operating systems; an understanding of modern operating systems concepts and structure; knowledge of network protocols, architectures, and applications; an understanding of the principles of computational thinking and problem solving; and basic competency in an object-oriented programming language
  • The technical foundation can be acquired through academic coursework or substantial work experience. An undergraduate degree in a computing discipline such as information technology, cybersecurity, computer science, computer engineering, or information systems, will meet the technical foundation requirement. 
  • An online “bridge” option is available for students with a solid academic record, who do not have an undergraduate degree in a computing discipline or a sufficient technical foundation.
• The graduate admissions committee may request a video or phone admission interview or additional documentation, if necessary.
• Successful students in this program (particularly for LIS 5802) have completed undergraduate coursework in statistics or have otherwise acquired a strong foundation in the fundamentals of exploratory data analysis, sampling techniques, probability theory, hypothesis testing, and applying statistical concepts to derive insights from data and effectively communicate findings.