Master of Science in Cybersecurity

Tailor Your Cybersecurity Degree

After completing the core curriculum, you choose a concentration that suits your career and professional goals.

Computer Forensic Investigation and Incident Response Team Management

Through this concentration, you can learn to create, train, and manage a computer security incident response team (CSIRT) and examine the protocols for conducting computer forensic investigations.

• Computer Security Incident Response Team Management

  GI554 6 credit hours

  In this course, you will analyze and apply the key points in creating and managing a computer security incident response team (CSIRT), also known as a computer incident response team (CIRT) or a computer emergency response team (CERT). Topics include establishing CSIRTs; responding to computer emergencies; securing the CSIRT; managing the CSIRT with respect to professionalism, setting priorities for triage, and protecting personnel against burnout; and learning from emergencies using the incident postmortem and establishing continuous process improvement within the organization. Students will use their case study to apply their knowledge to real-world situations and will prepare recommendations for the establishment of a new CSIRT or improvement of their existing CSIRT.

• Computer Forensic Investigation

  GI551 6 credit hours

  This course focuses on the spectrum of tools and techniques used to investigate digital incidents, whether in a civil or criminal environment. The course provides the broad understanding that information assurance professionals must have of the management, investigation, and analysis of digital incidents. It also places that understanding in the context of other information assurance domains. Discussions of digital investigation and forensics cover topics from both technical and management perspectives to increase the information assurance professional’s understanding and application of domain-specific knowledge.

Critical Infrastructure Protection & Cyber Crime

Our coursework examines the security of information critical to national security and the nature of conflict in cyberspace. This course will also strengthen your knowledge of supervisory control and data acquisition systems (SCADA) in the flow of resources such as electricity, water, and fuel.

• Cyber Crime

  GI556 6 credit hours

  This course explores the nature of conflict in cyber space focusing on two major Internet-based threats to the U.S. national security: cyber terrorism and cyber crime. The course addresses questions such as: who is undertaking these cyber activities, what techniques do they use, and what countermeasures can be adopted to mitigate their impact. The course is built around a risk management framework to help information leaders leverage the benefits of Internet technologies while minimizing the risks that such technologies pose to their organizations.

• Critical Infrastructure Protection

  GI566 6 credit hours

  This course examines the security of information in computer and communications networks within infrastructure sectors critical to national security. These include the sectors of banking, securities and commodities markets, industrial supply chain, electrical/smart grid, energy, transportation, communications, water supply and health. Special attention is paid to the risk management of information in critical infrastructure environments through an analysis and synthesis of assets, threats, vulnerabilities, impacts, and countermeasures. Critical consideration is paid to the role of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in the flow of resources such as electricity, water, and fuel.

Cyber Law & International Perspectives on Cyberspace

Focus on the legal and policy measures related to cyber breaches and learn to implement international cyberspace policies. Strengthen your knowledge of key topics including privacy and intellectual property, electronic contracting, non-repudiation, and fair information practices.

• Cyber Law

  GI557 6 credit hours

  This course explores a broad variety of federal statutory, common, and international laws that may impact the information technology professional. Because the overwhelming majority of cyber infrastructure is owned and operated by the private sector, the course focus is on those laws that affect the interaction between government and the private sector information technology industry, including the privacy rights so often implicated in modern data storage systems. The course starts with a look at “cyber law” and whether it is really a distinct legal discipline at all. It then moves into criminal, civil, regulatory, international and common laws with which today’s information technology professional may come in contact. Throughout the course we discuss how public policy and other factors impact the development, implementation, and interpretation of the law. Students read, interpret and apply legal authorities and theories, a valuable skill for future information technology leaders if they are to stay in compliance with the ever-growing “cyber” legal framework.

• International Perspectives on Cyberspace

  GI567 6 credit hours

  This course explores the concept of cyber and cyberspace from an international perspective. It starts with a look at the technical nature of the internet from its very beginning. It then moves on to explore the various threats facing all nations, including the various threat actors and their motivations, capabilities and intentions. The course then looks at how technical aspects of cyberspace complicate policing and monitoring of activities. Policies, both U.S. and international are explored next, including a look at the prospects for international cooperation. A look at cyber deterrence and cyberwar follows, as well as a more detailed look into the cyber policies and activities of certain state and non-state actors.

Project Management

Learn the key elements of project management, including the project process, scope, time, cost, quality, and schedule management. Students will take Project Management Techniques, Tools and Practices (GB544) and then choose either Project Management Leadership, Communications and Teams (GB554) or Strategic Management in Project Management (GB564).

Courses are cross-listed with the Master of Business Administration Program.

• Project Management Techniques, Tools and Practices

  GB544 6 credit hours

  This seminar focuses on the fundamentals of project management and practices. The key elements of project management from the project management framework, the project life cycle, project process and key project management knowledge areas are discussed. Additionally, the project integration, scope, time, cost, quality, resource and schedule management are studied. Other areas of focus are project management procurement and overall project communications.

• Project Management Leadership, Communications, and Teams

  GB554 6 credit hours

  This seminar focuses on project management leadership, effective communications and the management of project teams. Students explore the fundamental principles of good project management, including: leadership skills, winning stakeholder cooperation, writing the rules to manage expectations, project risk management, creating realistic schedules, achieving accurate project estimates, trade-offs between project cost, schedule and quality, building strong project teams, clear communications, measuring progress, problem solving, defining clear requirements and applying lean principles in project management. This seminar discusses project leadership, communication and team management skills integrating them with  concepts from previous seminars, resulting in fundamental principles of project management being integrated with leadership, communications and team building practices and challenges.

• Strategic Management in Project Management

  GB564 6 credit hours

  Applications from the GB 544 and GB 554 are applied in this seminar using the fundamental principles of project management from the project management framework, the project life cycle, project integration, scope, time, cost, quality, and schedule management. Students synthesize leadership skills, winning stakeholder cooperation, project risk management, building strong project teams, clear communications, measuring progress and problem solving in a proposed project. Prereqs: GB 544 and GB 554, or permission of the Program Director.

Vulnerability Management

Explore how to conduct legal and ethical security tests and vulnerability assessments and learn to use key open source tools such as the Metasploit Framework.

• Vulnerability Management and Penetration Testing I

  GI562 6 credit hours

  This course introduces students to the penetration testing of computer networks. Students will utilize a virtual lab to gain experience through hands‐on lab exercises, and learn to use the well‐known open‐source Metasploit computer security project to understand security vulnerabilities. Students will apply this tool for penetration testing, testing the control tools, and learn how to conduct monitoring of an enterprise. Topics explored in this course include system security and vulnerability analysis, the most common system exploits and vulnerabilities, along with system “pivoting” and client‐side exploits. This course also introduces open‐source tools, in particular, the Metasploit Framework (MSF). Students will learn how to assess enterprise security controls and system vulnerability, and learn to document their findings. The course is designed for penetration testers, system security, and network administrators.

• Vulnerability Management and Penetration Testing II

  GI563 6 credit hours

  This course introduces students to advanced open-source tools used to conduct penetration testing of computer networks. Students will learn the rules of engagement, and how to conduct legal and ethical security tests and vulnerability assessments. Students will utilize a virtual lab to gain experience through hands-on lab exercises. Students will learn to use the well-known open-source tools (Metasploit , John the Ripper, Wireshark) to understand security vulnerabilities and how to use this tool for penetration testing, testing the control tools, and how to conduct monitoring of an enterprise.

Procurement and Government Contract Management

The concentration focuses on the methods and processes of procurement and contract management at all levels of government management - federal, state, and local.

_{The College of Graduate and Continuing Studies at Norwich University has developed the courses within this concentration based upon NIGP’s publications and current standards in order to support the educational goals of the public procurement professional.}

• Public Procurement and Contracting

  AD568 6 credit hours

  This course examines the scope, methods and processes of forming contracts between public and private parties for the purpose of accomplishing the missions of governmental agencies at the international, federal, state/provincial and local levels. It is designed for individuals considering a career in public administration, persons employed in government agencies, public procurement personnel wishing to enhance their knowledge, and suppliers or citizens interested in learning more about the formulation of government contracts. Subject and foundational  areas such as planning, ethics, and of the legal basis of the public procurement function will be explored.

• Government Contract Management

  AD578 6 credit hours

  Students study the concepts of contract management beginning with crafting the Request for Proposal (RFP) through contract negotiations, award, and management. Students gain knowledge of government contract management from both the government and the private sector (industry) perspective including all fields of procurement.