The Information Assurance and Cyber Security major prepares students to be professionals in the information assurance and cybersecurity community. Through more than a dozen information security courses, students are provided both a broad and specific understanding of the various aspects of information assurance and security. While technical skills lay the foundation for student success, coursework includes advanced analysis skills and theoretical knowledge that enables students to better recognize the entire scope of issues critical to the business processes of both public and private organizations.
Effective Fall 2021
- School of Engineering Technologies
- Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
- More Information about Information Assurance & Cyber Security
Career Opportunities
This major prepares students for positions that may include systems administrators or analysts, information systems administrators, network administrators, information and cyber security specialists, information technology auditors, penetration testers, risk analysts, antivirus software managers, and related positions.
Recommended High School Subjects
A strong background in English, mathematics through at least algebra, and science is desired. A familiarity with computer equipment and software is also desired.
Special Equipment Needs
A laptop/notebook computer is required for the enrollment in all Information Technology majors, including the Information Assurance and Cyber Security major. Review required Laptop Specifications see https://www.pct.edu/media/1111/download .
Remediation Strategies
All incoming students must meet placement requirements in math. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies as explained in the College Catalog (see https://www.pct.edu/catalog/admissions-policy). Students will not be allowed to enroll in required information technology (CIT and EET) and security (IAS) courses until after all remediation of mathematics (through MTH008) is complete.
Transfer Procedures
Students seeking entrance through transfer should strive to take courses at their respective institutions that provide competency in the following areas; programming, two semesters minimum (same language); database; networking, two semesters minimum; UNIX and/or Linux; and calculus for engineering or math majors. Students planning to transfer from another college and wanting specific course advice should consult with the IT faculty at Penn College.
Program Goals
A graduate of this major should be able to:- identify and define the risks associated with the need for protecting information assets.
- identify and define the requirements that must be satisfied to address the risks associated with protecting information assets.
- analyze the requirements for designing information security solutions.
- employ current best practices when designing information security solutions and assessing their effectiveness.
- use effective collaboration skills when working in a team.
- use effective communication skills when writing and speaking.
Performance Standards
Students must complete all required major courses in the Information Assurance and Cyber Security major (those with the alpha-designators CIT, EET, BCS, LAS, and MTH) with a grade of "C" or higher. Additionally, any course approved for use as the IAS elective must also be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.
Curriculum
First Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FYE101 | First Year Experience | 1.0 | .50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
CIT160 | Introduction to Programming | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
EET145 | Networking I | 4.0 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
CSC124 | Information, Technology & Society | 3.0 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
ENL111 | English Composition I | 3.0 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
MGT115 | Principles of Management | 3.0 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
TOTAL CREDITS | 17.0 | ||||||
Second Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
MTH240 | Calculus I | 4.0 | 4 | M | REQ | ||
CIT260 | Programming II | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
EET247 | Networking II | 4.0 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
ENL121 | English Composition II | 3.0 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
or | |||||||
ENL201 | Technical & Professional Communication | 3.0 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
SPC101 | Fundamentals of Speech | 3.0 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
TOTAL CREDITS | 17.0 | ||||||
Third Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
CIT240 | Introduction to UNIX/Linux | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
CIT180 | Introduction to Database | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
SCI | Science Elective | 3.0 | S | SCI | |||
MTH161 | Statistics for STEM Fields with Computer Applications | 3.5 | 3 | 1.50 | M | REQ | |
OEE | Exploration Elective | 3.0 | S | OEE | |||
TOTAL CREDITS | 15.5 | ||||||
Fourth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
BCS | Directed Information Assurance & Cyber Security Elective | 3.0 | M | BCS | |||
CIT230 | Fundamentals of Information Security | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
CIT281 | Secure Database Development | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
SCL | Science Elective with lab | 4.0 | S | SCL | |||
OEA | Open Elective | 3.0 | S | OEA | |||
TOTAL CREDITS | 16.0 | ||||||
Fifth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
CIT246 | System Analysis I | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
CIT335 | Fundamentals of Cryptography | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
IAS312 | Network Defense | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
SSP | Core Social Science Perspective | 3.0 | S | SSP | |||
HIP | Core Historical Perspective | 3.0 | M | HIP | |||
FIT | Fitness & Wellness Elective | 1.0 | S | FIT | |||
TOTAL CREDITS | 16.0 | ||||||
Sixth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
IAS211 | Information Security Tools for Code & Data Analysis | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
IAS311 | Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing | 3.0 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
IAS411 | Information Security Policy | 3.0 | Writing Enriched Requirement | 3 | M | REQ | |
LAS350 | Legal Issues in Information Security Management | 3.0 | Science, Technology and Society Requirement | 3 | M | REQ | |
FIT | Fitness & Wellness Elective | 1.0 | S | FIT | |||
MGT410 | Management of Organizational Behavior | 3.0 | Writing Enriched Requirement | 3 | S | REQ | |
TOTAL CREDITS | 16.0 | ||||||
Seventh Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
IAS412 | IAS Awareness, Training & Education | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
IAS413 | Contingency Planning | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
IAS461 | Secure System Accreditation & Certification | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
IAS492A | IAS Seminar I | 1.0 | 1 | M | REQ | ||
BCS | Directed Information Assurance & Cyber Security Elective | 3.0 | M | BCS | |||
OEE | Exploration Elective | 3.0 | S | OEE | |||
TOTAL CREDITS | 16.0 | ||||||
Eighth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
IAS466 | Risk Analyst Capstone | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
CIT430 | Information Security Forensics & Incident Response | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
IAS490 | Advanced Topics in Information Assurance & Security | 3.0 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
IAS492B | IAS Seminar II | 1.0 | 1 | M | REQ | ||
ARP | Core Arts Perspective | 3.0 | S | ARP | |||
OEA | Open Elective | 3.0 | S | OEA | |||
TOTAL CREDITS | 16.0 |