Information Assurance
Professor Mich Kabay; Associate Professors David Blythe and Huw Read; Assistant Professor Jeremy Hansen; Lecturers Matthew Bovee and Kris Rowley; Research Professor Emeritus Peter Stephenson.
Assuring the security and integrity of information assets is now widely recognized as a critical function. Information is one of the most valuable, fragile and irreplaceable assets possessed or owned by an individual or organization. The Information Assurance minor is designed to provide students in any major with the foundational knowledge and skills for practical work and further study in information assurance, and for information assurance specialization within their major field. This includes: general knowledge of computer information systems; a programming language; introductory digital forensics; data communications; networks and network security; information assurance fundamentals; and, the management of information assurance.
Goals:
Provide students with:
- An understanding and appreciation of computer science, computer security, and information assurance fundamentals
- Knowledge and basic facility with a high-level programming language
- Understanding of and ability to use data communication concepts and terminology
- Foundational understanding and skills in digital forensics, cyber-investigation, and information assurance
- Understanding of the multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional regulations and standards that govern and guide information assurance, and their appropriate application
- The foundation for practical work and further study in information assurance
- The ability to intelligently and usefully discuss and information assurance topics at a management level
- An understanding of the high ethical, personal and professional standards associated with information assurance for individuals, organizations, and society
Outcomes:
Upon graduation successful students will competently demonstrate:
- Use of fundamental computing and data communication terminology, concepts and practices
- Appropriate application of essential cyber crime and digital forensic concepts, techniques and procedures
- The ability to recognize, define or explain, and use the technical terminology of information assurance
- Application of the fundamentals of information assurance, information assurance management, and their application in organizational contexts
- High ethical, personal and professional standards, especially in regards to information assurance and its impact on individuals, organizations, and society
Careers for this Minor:
Information assurance is critical to all fields, all organizations, and all individuals. Depending on the students major, augmenting it with the Information Assurance minor prepares the student for further study and for specialization within their chosen field in:
- Information Assurance
- Information Assurance Management
- Information Systems/Technology Management
Information Assurance Minor
Students seeking a minor in Information Assurance must obtain the approval of the School Director and complete all of the six courses listed below, each with a grade of C or higher.
| CS 140 | Programming and Computing 1 | 4 |
| CS 260 | Data Communications and Networks 2 | 3 |
| DF 395 | Cyber Criminalistics 3 | 3 |
| IA 340 | Introduction to Information Assurance 2 | 3 |
| IA 342 | Management of Information Assurance | 3 |
| IA 360 | Network Security 4 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
| 1 | Prerequisite: C or higher in IS 100 or CS 100, or instructor permission |
| 2 | Prerequisite: C or higher in IS 131 or CS 140, or instructor permission |
| 3 | Prerequisites: Open to CJ 2nd semester sophomores or higher, or by instructor permission |
| 4 | Prerequisite: IS 460 or CS 260 |