Course List and Program Requirements
University Core Curriculum
Faculty Members

A network security specialist is a professional who focuses on ensuring information confidentiality, integrity and availability. This includes the design of information assurance programs, policies, procedures and architecture utilizing the concepts of "security by design." Network security utilizes proactive techniques, including "defense-in-depth" and layered security, to mitigate or eliminate vulnerabilities in information systems and to protect against potential exploitation. Professionals in this career path may be highly technical and practice active (and sometimes aggressive) technical security methodologies to test and verify security implementations at various levels within an organization.

Security professionals possess intimate knowledge of technical business-critical components. They also provide analysis and assessment of the security risks and requirements of those information systems while still developing non-technical skills such as teamwork, troubleshooting, problem solving, documentation and interpersonal communication.

The Network Security degree reflects the application of theory and is aligned with industry standards and guidelines. It also provides students with the opportunity to synthesize and apply the vital skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the workforce.

Network Security Objectives (BS)

Visualize, explore and communicate a network infrastructure design with a diagram and documentation that includes identified hardware components, connections to outside world, identified physical layer connectivity (media), addressing, using visualization and diagramming tools.
Install, configure and test security hardware and software tools with supporting documentation such as port scanners, vulnerability detection systems, intrusion detection systems, firewalls, system hardening, anti-virus tools, patch management, auditing and assessment.
Create, establish and document a policy, procedure or process that can include a disaster recovery plan, a business continuity plan, incident response policy, acceptable usage document, information security policy, physical security policy, assessments or troubleshooting procedures.
Develop a research report or implementation plan concerning legal and ethical best practices and mandated requirements that pertain to information security.
Research, test and document current industry information security-based threats, risks, malicious activities, covert methodology, encryption technologies, mitigation techniques or unconventional tactics to prevent loss of sensitive information and data confidentiality, integrity and availability.