Information Security Management (M.S.)

Faculty
Description
Degree Requirements
Course Descriptions


Faculty

Bill Steel, Assistant Professor of Information Technology (Program Director)
V.R. Nemani, Associate Professor of Business Administration
Victoria Goetz, Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Robert Maguire, Assistant Professor of International Affairs

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Description

The Information Security Management Program offers a Master of Science in Information Security Management. 

The M.S. in Information Security Management degree provides the comprehensive skills and knowledge to manage the security of information systems in organizations and businesses.  The program integrates contemporary management, information systems and IT security.

The program is designed for students with either a non-technical or technical background.  Graduates of the program are equipped with the expertise and knowledge to carry out roles as managers in IT and IT security environments.

The Program also offers a Graduate Certificate in Information Security. Students may apply all of the coursework from the certificate program to the M.S. in Information Security Management. 

Graduates of both programs are uniquely equipped to be leaders and practitioners of information security.  With an understanding of the complex concepts of information security and the ability to apply them to practical situations, graduates of the programs will be qualified to work in the challenging and highly rewarding field of information systems security.

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Degree Requirements

Required Courses (36 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

ISYS 611 Information Systems in Organizations
ISYS 615 Systems Analysis & Design
ISYS 631 Data Communications & Networks
ISYS 653 Information Systems Project Management
ISYS 661 Information Systems Security
ISYS 663 Systems Intrusion, Detection & Response
ISYS 667 Data Protection
ISYS 673 Information Security Risk, Strategies and Management
ISYS 675 Legal & Ethical Issues in Information Security
ISYS 677 Issues & Trends in Information Security Management
ADMN 601 Excellence in Managing Contemporary Organizations

ONE capstone course:

ISYS 699 Capstone Project in Information Security Management

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Course Descriptions

ISYS 611 Information Systems in Organizations
Introduces the importance of information systems to an organization and examines the issues associated with managing them. Provides a strategic view of information systems and technology, and a discussion of the strategic, legal, and ethical issues underlying management of information technology in an organization. This course also examines current issues related to organizational uses of information technology, including such topics as information security and integrity, electronic commerce and the World Wide Web, and intellectual property rights.
3 credits

ISYS 615 Systems Analysis & Design
Examines the system development and modification process, including defining and analyzing requirements, modeling and specifications.  It covers the relationships and roles of clients, users, team members, and others associated with development, operation and maintenance of systems.  Topics include structured and object oriented analysis and design, use of modeling tools and system lifecycles.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ISYS 611

ISYS 631 Data Communications & Networks
Provides in-depth understanding of data communications and networks. An emphasis is placed on the requirements and design of network systems in organizations.  The course examines how the underlying hardware and software components in networks of information systems, make it possible to access data and services across remote computers; the overall structure of a network, including description of the functionality of different protocols and standards.
3 credits

ISYS 653 Information Systems Project Management
Covers the factors necessary for successful management of information systems development or enhancement projects.  Both technical and behavioral aspects of project management are applied within the context of an information systems development project.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ISYS 611

ISYS 661 Information Systems Security
Examines concepts of modern information systems security from a practical point of view. Topics include secure system design, system vulnerability, threat assessment, intrusion detection, cryptography, and legal and ethical issues in computer security. Emphasis on applications of security and implementation of a secure information system.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ISYS 611 and ISYS 631

ISYS 663 Systems Intrusion, Detection & Response
Covers network security management systems that gather and analyze information to identify possible security breaches. It includes intrusions (attacks from outside the organization) and misuse (attacks from within the organization). Students learn the use of vulnerability assessment and scanning technologies to determine the security of a network.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ISYS 661

ISYS 667 Data Protection
Introduces basic concepts of cryptology, public key cryptography, hardware and software implementations of cryptographies, data integrity and authentication, protocols for secure mail, www and electronic payments, security aspects of mobile communications, identification schemes, Smart cards and PCMCIA cards.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ISYS 661

ISYS 673 Information Security: Risk, Strategies, and Management
Covers the strategies, procedures and policies to manage and mitigate risk in information systems.  The course covers risk analysis techniques that can be used to identify and quantify both accidental and malicious threats to computer systems within an organization.  As well as technical solutions the course considers what sorts of strategies and policies will help to provide cost effective and highly secure systems.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ISYS 661

ISYS 675 Legal and Ethical Issues in Information Security
Provides an overview of the legal rights and liabilities associated with operation and use of computers and information. It discusses the key statutes, regulations, treaties, and court cases that establish legal rights and responsibilities as to computer security and information privacy. The course also helps students to learn how to reduce their risk of potential legal liability for computer security or information privacy failures, and how to enforce their security and privacy rights against other parties.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ISYS 661 or permission

ISYS 677 Issues & Trends in Information Security Management
Examines how changing technology, business environments and social issues will shape the security requirements of networked information systems and computer systems. The course covers the evolution of current issues and looks at the emergence of new issues that will guide the development of new approaches to information security.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ISYS 661 or permission

ISYS 699 Capstone Project in Information Security Management
Requires students to conduct a capstone project suited to their individual needs. The capstone project provides an opportunity for students to draw upon what they have learned from the Information Security Management program.
3 credits
Prerequisite: At or near completion of program

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