Cybersecurity Studies
Minor

Explore modern cybersecurity threats and solutions.

The Cybersecurity Studies minor will give you a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity concepts, technologies, policies, and related issues. You’ll also examine modern challenges and their countermeasures. The program is designed for students from all majors, aiming to enhance both your academic and professional paths with cybersecurity knowledge and skills. It requires no prior technical experience, making it accessible to anyone interested in learning more about cybersecurity and its impact on organizations and society.

  • Identify and analyze security properties, technologies, policies, and current issues in cybersecurity
  • Examine security challenges and vulnerabilities in real-life applications and propose possible countermeasures
  • Develop effective professional communication skills
Quick Info

6 Courses / 18 Total Credit Hours

Courses & Curriculum

The minor Cybersecurity is 18 credits and combines core course with the choice of 6 credits worth of electives to give you a strong cybersecurity foundation with the opportunity to combine your studies with internship experience.

View Full Course Catalog

Required Courses – 12 Credits

IST 323 | 3 CREDITS

Basic concepts and technologies of information security, including security properties, vulnerabilities, cryptography, security policies, access control, authentication, firewalls, wireless security, internet security protocols, real life cases, hands on labs, and other related topics.

IST 336 | 3 CREDITS

Today’s leading issues and challenges in cybersecurity, considering global perspectives that are related to current technology trends.  Students will also have research opportunities in the topic area and hands on experiences in information security.

IST 342 | 3 CREDITS

Students are introduced to the necessary skills for developing, reviewing and implementing information security policies.  Learn the fundamentals of effective policy writing, awareness and training, as well as information security frameworks important to building a successful information security policy.
PREREQ IST323

IST 476 | 3 CREDITS

This course is intended to explore how to apply information security technologies and approaches to real-life systems and services.
PREREQ IST 323

Electives – 6 credits

IST 300/400 | 3 CREDITS

If a selected topics course (IST300/IST400), internship (IST471) or independent study (IST490) is selected, it must have a focus in cybersecurity in order to count towards the minor. Other relevant cybersecurity courses offered at SU may be counted as electives for the minor, and students must have the course approved by petition prior to registration.

IST 402 | 3 CREDITS
Topics include the basic concepts, ethics/codes, procedures, forensic techniques, analysis, example cases, hands on labs, and applications to existing environments such as e-mail, social media, mobile devices, IoT, and others.

IST 425 | 3 CREDITS
A multidisciplinary perspective of risk assessment, modeling, and management. Topics include: concepts of personal accountability versus governance and policy; how organizations define and measure risk and loss; and plan for contingencies.

IST 431 | 3 CREDITS
This course addresses key concepts, technologies, and management strategies associated with securing enterprise digital computer networks and related devices and applications.  Students will gain an understanding of the major threats and vulnerabilities as well as technologies and strategies for protection.
PREREQ IST233 and IST323

IST 471 | 3 CREDITS

If a selected topics course (IST300/IST400), internship (IST471) or independent study (IST490) is selected, it must have a focus in cybersecurity in order to count towards the minor. Other relevant cybersecurity courses offered at SU may be counted as electives for the minor, and students must have the course approved by petition prior to registration.

IST 490 | 3 CREDITS

If a selected topics course (IST300/IST400), internship (IST471) or independent study (IST490) is selected, it must have a focus in cybersecurity in order to count towards the minor. Other relevant cybersecurity courses offered at SU may be counted as electives for the minor, and students must have the course approved by petition prior to registration.