Bachelor of Science in Information Security and Assurance

The BS-ISA degree program is the first of its kind at a public institution in the Southeastern U.S. In response to National and State need for graduates with education in Information Security, the KSU Computer Science and Information Systems Department, in cooperation with state and federal law enforcement and agencies, state security officials, and local businesses, has put forward an expansive security education program, with equal emphases on both the technical and managerial aspects of the field.

The Committee on National Security Systems and the National Security Agency have RE-certified that Kennesaw State University offers a set of courseware that has been reviewed by National Level Information Assurance Subject Matter Experts and determined to meet National Training Standard for Information Systems Security Professionals (NSTISSI 4011, and CNSS 4012, 4013, 4014) for academic years 2009 - 2014. This coursework, which forms the core of the BS-ISA was originally certified in 2003.

The program also forms the cornerstone of the Kennesaw State recognition as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education, awarded by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. KSU was first recognized in 2004, and again in 2007.

According to Dr. Michael E. Whitman, the architect and coordinator of the degree, “This program places Kennesaw at the forefront of undergraduate Information Security Education in the southeast. There are very few programs like it in the country.” For more information on the degree program visit the program's web page or contact Dr. Whitman at mwhitman@kennesaw.edu or through the Computer Science and Information Systems Department at 770-423-6005.

The Program Educational Objectives for KSU’s Information Security and Assurance Program are as follows:

• The graduate is able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the theoretical foundations and practical applications of information technology.
• The graduate is able to demonstrate a solid foundation in commonly accepted business principles and practices.
• The graduate is able to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information while in transmission, storage or processing through the application of policy, education, training and awareness program, and technology.
• The graduate is able to demonstrate an awareness of and to articulate positive and socially responsible positions on the ethical and legal issues associated with the protection of information and privacy.
• The graduate is able to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship and inter-responsibilities between all three communities of interest in Information Security: General Business, Information Technology, and Information Security.
• 6. The graduate is able to effectively communicate – orally, in writing and using symbolic methods and modeling – with all communities of interest; technical and non-technical managers and users.

The program has documented measurable outcomes that are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies.

The program enables students to achieve, by the time of graduation:

• An ability to apply knowledge of computing, business, law and ethics appropriate to the discipline
• An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the information security requirements appropriate to its solution
• An ability to design, implement, and evaluate an information security program, plan, technology and process to meet desired needs of the organization
• An ability to function effectively and provide leadership on teams to accomplish a common goal
• An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, privacy, security and social issues and responsibilities
• An ability to effectively communicate – orally, in writing and using symbolic methods and modeling - with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• An ability to analyze the local and global impact of information security on individuals, organizations, and society
• Understand the value of the ability to engage in lifelong learning through ongoing education, certifications and training.
• An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for information security practice.
• An understanding of the practices and methods that support the protection of information and the systems that store, process and transmit that information through the application of policy, education and training and technology.

The BS - Information Security and Assurance will offer students both lecture overviews and hands-on experiences with the tools and technologies necessary to protect our information resources. The curriculum is specifically designed to encompass both technical details and administrative functions.

The BS - Information Security and Assurance consists of 123 semester hours of coursework. Students must complete each major course with a grade of "C" or better to use the course to fulfill degree requirements.

For degree requirements and course descriptions, reference the Undergraduate Catalog. Additional advising materials are available from the CSIS Department.

For more information contact Dr. Whitman at mwhitman@kennesaw.edu.

Undergraduate Catalog
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