Cyber Security Master of Science

CYBER SECURITY
MASTER OF SCIENCE

The global rise in cyber crime has created an unprecedented demand for cyber security professionals. As an international leader in intelligence and cyber education, Mercyhurst University’s new online Cyber Security master’s program will prepare you to analyze cyber threats to computer systems, networks and networked devices, and protect those systems from cyber attacks. Through engaging online coursework, you’ll also learn to evaluate the legal, regulatory and ethical issues related to cyber security and privacy, and effectively communicate complex cyber security information.

A master’s in Cyber Security is excellent preparation for career advancement in the rapidly growing cyber professions. Mercyhurst’s program is one of the few in the nation to address cyber threats to business as well as national and international security. Grads of our program are well positioned for careers as cyber analysts and IT security specialists in virtually any industry.

Fast Facts

Cyber Security faculty include experienced professionals with decades of experience in government, national security, and private business
Our unqiue program will train students for jobs with government intelligence agencies as cyber analysts as well as IT secruity specialists in large and small private enterprises
Mercyhurst's Cyber Security program is housed in the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Science, named after Erie native Tom Ridge, the 43rd governor of Pennsylvania and the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
A full-time student will complete this 36 credit program in two years
Cyber Security students will never take more than one class at a time, making this program ideal for working professionals

The Ridge Advantage

Mercyhurst University pioneered the field of intelligence studies in the mid-1990s and is home to the largest and oldest academic intelligence enterprise in the United States. Founded in 1996, the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences has earned a reputation throughout the world for the quality and cutting-edge skills of its graduates. Mercyhurst intel alumni work in all 17 federal intelligence agencies and dozens of Fortune 500 companies, working to assist corporate and government leaders and decision-makers around the globe.

As new threats and technologies have emerged, Mercyhurst has invested heavily in both data science and cyber security, developing new online master’s programs in Cyber Risk Management and Cyber Security. Drawing on the diverse learning resources and experienced faculty of the Ridge College, these programs harness our national security bona fides to offer unparalleled instruction in some of today’s most dynamic fields.

“The construction of new cyber training facilities ensure Mercyhurst remains the vanguard of the field.”—Tom Ridge

Online Access

The Cyber Risk Management master’s curriculum is offered exclusively online, making the program an ideal fit for working professionals. As online learning has becoming increasingly popular in higher education, it is essential for colleges and universities to maintain the same educational standards across on-campus and online course delivery. At Mercyhurst, the Office of Distance Learning ensures online course delivery is consistent and predictable for an engaging, rewarding student experience.

Each online course is carefully mapped out to provide you with a guided learning experience. Courses progress sequentially, building on previous concepts to help you gain mastery of the course material. In addition to lectures and individual assignments, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with classmates and professors in real time through group projects, review sessions, debates and presentations.

As with any Mercyhurst education, students benefit from close personalized attention from faculty, with opportunities to connect via email, phone, Skype or office hours.

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Course Descriptions

CIS 500 Computing & Information Science Concepts

Computing & Information Science studies the design, application, use, impact and ethical implications of computational principles and technology. This foundational class prepares students for advanced courses in Data Sciences, Cyber Security, and Cyber Risk Management. Topics covered include: computer organization, data structures, computer programming, networking concepts, computer security, and ethics.

CIS 501 Probability and Statistics

This course introduces students to concepts in probability and statistics including sampling distributions, normal theory estimation and hypothesis testing, regression and correlation, exploratory data analysis, logistic regression, discriminant analysis, resampling methods and linear model selection. Learning to do statistical analysis on a personal computer is an integral part of the course.

RMGT 520 Cyber Risk Management

This course covers the introduction to Risk Management to understand and mitigate cyber risk exposures. This course will review the risk management process, cyber risk exposures, cyber insurance, regulatory environment and how cyber risk management applies to the enterprise.

CIS 510 Algorithm Development

This course introduces students to fundamental concepts of computer programming. Topics include: algorithms, abstract data types, linear and non-linear data structures, and software engineering. Students will get hands-on experience with the use of a high level programming language to search and sort data.

CIS 560 Cyber Networks

This foundational course prepares students to better understand today’s cyber networks and how they can support the requirements of organizations. It introduces networking basics and demonstrates how networks can support the increasing demands of advanced communications. The course examines networking standards, protocols, architectures, management and security.

CIS 561 Cyber Security

This course provides a comprehensive overview of essential concepts to better understand cyber security. This course explores the risks, threats, and vulnerabilities associated with the digital world and introduces students to the principles of risk management, security standards, access controls, security audits, cryptography, compliance laws and privacy issues.

CIS 562 Digital Forensics

This course introduces students to the principles and practice of digital forensics, including computer crime, intellectual property, privacy issues, legal codes; risks, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures; methods and standards for data extraction, preservation, analysis; and deposition of legal evidence in a court of law.

CIS 563 Cryptography & Network Security

The Cryptography & Networks Security course covers the aspects of computer communications and networking security to secure data while in transfer or in storage. This includes cryptography, secret and public key cryptography, message digests, password-based, address-based, and cryptographic authentication, privacy, access controls, network security protocols and wireless security.

CIS 564 Cyber Law & Policy

The Cyber Law & Policy course covers different aspects of national and international legal issues concerning cyberspace. This includes computer-related crimes, legal rights and liabilities associated with computer security, computer fraud and unauthorized computer use, information privacy, espionage, HIPPA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, GDPR and Digital Rights Management.

CIS 565 System & Application Security

This course focuses on the security aspects of systems that are composed of components and connections, and use software. It addresses the security issues of connecting components and using them within larger systems. It covers the concepts, principles, models and techniques of access control, authentication, secure communication and audit, system’s virtualization, real-time systems, software security, and operating systems security.

CIS 598 Research Methods

This course prepares students for planning, conducting, and reporting on research in information sciences. Topics include literature survey to formulate a scientific research question; research methods used in data science, cyber security, and cyber risk management; and scientific writing and publishing. Completion of the course will provide the student with skills needed to undertake supervised thesis or research project work in the area of Information Sciences.

CIS 599 Research Project

The capstone course experience is designed to allow students to work under the supervision of a cyber risk management faculty member to solve a real world problem and present their findings to the faculty before graduation.

Degree Completion Plan

Year 1

Fall Semester

Mini 1: CIS 500 Computing & Information Science Concepts
Mini 2: CIS 501 Probability and Statistics

Spring Semester

Mini 1: RMGT 520 Cyber Risk Management
Mini 2: CIS 510 Algorithm Development

Summer Semester

Mini 1: CIS 560 Cyber Networks
Mini 2: CIS 561 Cyber Security

Year 2

Fall Semester

Mini 1: CIS 562 Digital Forensics
Mini 2: CIS 563 Cryptography & Network Security

Spring Semester

Mini 1: CIS 564 Cyber Law & Policy
Mini 2: CIS 565 System & Application Security

Summer Semester

Mini 1: CIS 598 Research Methods
Mini 2: CIS 599 Research Project

Certifications

Successful completion of the Cyber Risk Management coursework will earn students two course waivers toward the prestigious Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation from The Institutes.

Career Opportunities

Few professionals today have the in-demand skills to assess and monetize cyber risk.
Our grads will be well positioned for the careers of the 21st century. As cyber coverage becomes more popular in the insurance marketplace, insurers and businesses are discovering a shortage of professionals with the cyber security and risk management skills needed to excel in this emerging field. In fact, banking/finance/insurance represent the largest industry employing cyber professionals. A 2016 skills gap analysis from ISACA estimated a global shortage of 2 million cyber security professionals by 2019.

Cyber Alliance

Mercyhurst University recently announced a new cyber alliance with two other leading institutions. In February 2018, Mercyhurst University announced a new cutting-edge cyber alliance between Mercyhurst, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University. Known as the North Coast Cyber Research and Training Alliance, the agreement to jointly develop cyber security education, research and training programs will leverage the unique combination of strengths of the three schools: cyber intelligence threat analysis from Mercyhurst, cyber engineering from Case Western, and regulatory and policy analysis from Cleveland State’s law school.