Walsh College Will Launch New Cybersecurity Concentration At Graduate-Degree Level In January 2016; Related Webinar Also Planned

TROY, MI – Walsh College will offer a new cybersecurity concentration in its highly regarded Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT; www.walshcollege.edu/cybersecurity) degree program in January 2016 to meet the increased demand for advanced education in this growing IT specialization.

Separately, a free webinar titled “Next Generation Cyber Warriors - Cyber 4.0” is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 20, 2016. It is available to the public, but registration is required at www.walshcollege.edu/webseries. Spaces are limited. Here are details for the programs.

Cybersecurity Concentration: A new cybersecurity concentration has been added to the graduate MSIT program. This program is unique as it maps to several external standards. The standards include Department of Defense directive 8570, the National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence course requirements, and the Department of Homeland Security NICE Framework, which make the program a first in the southeast Michigan educational market. Cybersecurity courses include Fundamentals of Cybersecurity; Security Program Management; Business Continuity; Resiliency and Crisis Management; Threats, Vulnerabilities, Controls, and Countermeasures; Intelligence Analysis Tools and Techniques; Social, Political, and Cultural Impacts of Cybersecurity; and Current Issues in Cybersecurity.

This program is focused on preparing the next generation cybersecurity professionals. Students will develop the ability to employ information technology and cybersecurity knowledge and skills for tactical and strategic advantage. They will also apply critical, strategic, ethical, and innovative thinking to achieve results-oriented organizational goals.

“The future of cybersecurity and the number of trained people needed to protect and defend information systems on which businesses depend are growing exponentially,” says Barbara Ciaramitaro, Ph.D., lead professor, Information Technology and Cybersecurity. “Both students and employers are demanding greater emphasis on cybersecurity in IT education programs to meet the growing need in the marketplace.”

Webinar: The Wednesday, January 20 Cybersecurity webinar will feature Dr. Ciaramitaro discussing how the next generation of “cyber warriors” will be educated and prepared.

“In the past, cyber professionals have focused primarily on waiting for an attack to happen and then responding to it and cleaning up the damage. This passive posture is no longer adequate,” says Dr. Ciaramitaro. “The attacks are now challenging every aspect of our lives.”

She added that a new generation of cyber warriors views action and intelligence as the primary methods for shortcutting attacks and minimizing their potential danger.

The concentration and related seminar enhance Walsh College’s demonstrated leadership in the field through its Center for Cybersecurity Leadership (CCL).

The CCL, one of four Walsh College research centers, was established through collaboration between the Management and Information Technology Departments of Walsh College with strong support from business, military, and government leaders.

Interested students should visit www.walshcollege.edu/webseries for program updates or contact [email protected] or 248/823-1610. For additional information on Walsh College, visit www.walshcollege.edu

Walsh College
Founded in 1922, Walsh College is an all-business, private, independent, not-for-profit, fully accredited college. It offers 19 undergraduate and graduate business and technology degrees, as well as certificate programs.

One of the region’s largest business schools and one of Michigan’s top three graduate business schools, Walsh has locations in Troy, Novi, Clinton Township, and Port Huron, as well as online. Walsh degree programs include accounting, finance, information technology, management and leadership, marketing, taxation, and other fields.

The faculty integrates theory and application to prepare our graduates for successful careers. It includes four Fulbright Scholars, the most of any business school in the state of Michigan. There are about 27,000 alumni, most of whom live or work in Michigan. Walsh is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org). The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (www.acbsp.org) accredits specific degree programs.

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