Master of Science in Information Security Online Degree Information

The Master of Science in Information Security was developed to address the rapidly growing global problems of maintaining and securing computer information. Important areas addressed by the programs include threats and vulnerabilities, cryptography, authentication and access control, security models, network security, trusted computer systems, distributed systems security, World Wide Web security, applications security, and security management and policies.

This degree is recognized by the National Security Agency (NSA) based on its certification of the school’s curriculum for compliance with the requirements of NSA national training standards NSTISSI No. 4011 (Information Systems Security Professionals) and CNSSI No. 4013 (System Administrators). As a result of this certification, Federal civilian and military personnel will be permitted to take the school’s certified graduate courses under government sponsorship, and the school is authorized to issue certificates to students who complete such courses.

The M.S. in Information Security is a 36 credit-hour program. It requires the completion of 12 courses or 10 courses and a six-credit thesis. Its formats offer full-time students the opportunity to earn the degree in 12 months and working professionals the opportunity to earn the degree 16–24 months. The Graduate Certificate in Information Security is a 15 credit-hour program that requires the completion of five courses. Students who complete the M.S. may also request the graduate certificate.

A graduate with a M.S. in Information Security will have the ability to:

1. identify the physical and logical threats and vulnerabilities present in an existing information system infrastructure;
2. identify relevant security technologies and techniques and identify administrative support services, necessary to secure an information infrastructure based upon the requirements specified in a security policy;
3. implement specific technical control measures necessary to satisfy the stated requirements for a secure information systems infrastructure; and
4. conduct an analysis of an existing information systems infrastructure to evaluate the validity and reliability of the security systems.

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