Cybersecurity

Admissions: 1-877-UMA-1234 Ext. 3465 or Augusta - (207) 621-3465 & Bangor (207) 262-7800 Opt. 3
Advising Center: 1-877-UMA-1234 ext. 3149 or (207) 621-3149
Coordinator: Henry Felch
UMA CIS Website: www.uma.edu/academics/programs/cybersecurity/

Intro/Overview

The emerging field of Cybersecurity is based on an evolving discipline that involves the study of strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of and operations in cyberspace. Topics include threat reduction, vulnerability reduction, deterrence, international engagement, incident response, resiliency, and recovery policies and activities, including computer network operations, information assurance, law enforcement, diplomacy, military, and intelligence missions as they relate to the security and stability of the global information and communications infrastructure (National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies).

Available through a partnership between UMA, UMFK, UMaine, and USM, the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity incorporates a multidisciplinary perspective through a combination of courses that offer a holistic approach to cybersecurity education by providing the opportunity to take courses not only in computer science and technology but also in the humanities, social sciences and ethics (e.g. Crisis Communication, Human Communication Skills, Philosophy of Social Media, and Security).

Career Opportunities

Computer-related jobs have been identified by the US Department of Labor Statistics as the fastest-growing occupations. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.t06.htm

With billions of dollars in global losses due to cybersecurity exploits, the need for trained experts is growing at an astonishing rate. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting 37% growth in employment in the cybersecurity field by 2020. Graduates with a B.S. in Cybersecurity will be prepared to fill these new positions as well as a predicted gap in Maine’s IT workforce significantly improving the statewide prospect for excellence in the computer-based delivery of information security services.

Student Learning Outcomes

Cybersecurity program graduates will be able to:

Apply knowledge of computing and information technologies and use software development and security analysis tools to produce effective designs and solutions for specific cybersecurity problems within a variety of computing platforms and employing an approved secure systems development process model;
Identify, analyze, and synthesize scholarly and professional literature relating to the fields of cybersecurity, information security, or information assurance, to help solve specific problems and to stay abreast of the rapidly changing security context;
Participate as an active and effective member of a project team engaged in achieving specific computer-based results or solutions;
Communicate, both orally and in writing, and negotiate with colleagues and other stakeholders including employees, managers, and executives. Negotiation and communication skills should also extend to all relevant external persons and organizations;
Demonstrate sensitivity to and sound judgment on ethical issues as they arise in information security and cyber defense and will adhere to accepted norms of professional responsibility;
Integrate knowledge from other disciplines, such as economics, management science, psychology and human factors, with their technical expertise to arrive at practical solutions that work successfully in real organizations; and
Use appropriate tools to detect an attack and determine appropriate remedial action based on its progress;

Degree Options

Bachelor of Science Degree: The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program will prepare you for career opportunities or advanced education in the Cybersecurity field including positions in security analysis, information assurance, digital forensics, intelligence, and cyber defense to name a few.

Post-Baccalaureate of Science Degree: The post baccalaureate in Cybersecurity is a bachelor’s degree available to students who already hold a baccalaureate degree in another academic field from an accredited institution. With an additional 45 credits of ISS and CIS program requirements, students who originally prepared in another discipline and are seeking credentials to support a career in information science (IS) and/or technology (IT) can earn a second bachelor’s degree. Up to 5 classes (15 credits) from a previous degree may be applied to meet the requirements of the Post-Baccalaureate. Thirty (30) credits must be taken at UMA. This is an ideal option for those students who want to make a career change or want to learn contemporary computing skills to meet the changing IT demands of their current position.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Certificate

Master of Science

Cybersecurity, MS