Cybersecurity Administration, B.S.

Go to information for Mathematics, Engineering & Computer Science and Cybersecurity .

Department Contact:

Chair: Dr. Rachel Wagner, rwagner@francis.edu, 814-471-1215
Program Coordinator: Dr. Kevin Slonka, http://kslonka@francis.edu, 814-471-1155

Program Description:

Every day another cyber threat, data breach, or online crime is highlighted in the news. These incidences impact individuals as well as every type of industry, including banking, retail, insurance, governments, and educational institutions around the world. The demand for cybersecurity experts is high, and grew 350% between 2013 and 2021 (Cybersecurityventures.com). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, “Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for information security analysts is expected to be very high, as these analysts will be needed to create innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or causing problems for computer networks.” 

The Cybersecurity Administration (CSA) major at Saint Francis University is specifically designed to develop the new generation of information security specialists. Our program is delivered in a hands-on, real-world format to meet the needs of a variety of students. The program is aligned with national cybersecurity professional job performance standards and frameworks, as well as industry needs, and is mapped to federal and national standards, such as the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE). The Cybersecurity program also provides students with the ability to sit for multiple, industry recognized, certification exams while pursuing their degree. Each course is designed to focus on skill validation and includes lab exercises aligned with industry required competencies and cybersecurity competitions. The CSA program incorporates the necessary flexibility to meet the ever-changing cybersecurity and technology landscape, and prepares you to enter the workforce as a cybersecurity professional in varying disciplines and specialty areas. Although it is available for any student, it is particularly advantageous for students in Computer Science, MIS, and Business majors who are also interested in information security or infrastructure protection positions in the government, private industry, or health care fields. Students eager to understand how present local, national, and world events and actions in cybersecurity can impact their future will also benefit from various course offerings within the Cybersecurity major. 

The Cybersecurity program instructs students with the most current materials, topics, case studies and tools available in the field. With a focus on “hands-on” learning, students will use industry leading digital forensic software; have the opportunity to participate in work-study programs and internships at a variety of organizations; prepare to obtain the AccessData Certified Examiner® certification, and become a Digital Forensic Examiner in a wide variety of government agencies and businesses; and, prepare to practice computer forensics, incident response, cybersecurity administration, and ethical hacking/penetration testing. Teaching students to manage and lead, in accordance with laws and regulations, an enterprise information security program that promotes and attains national security, agency, and inter-agency goals is also a primary tenet of the program.

Students receive a comprehensive and customizable education that focuses on both the fundamentals of information systems as well as advanced topics in specialized concentrations such as cybersecurity, threat assessment, digital forensics, and infrastructure protection.

Student Learning Outcomes:

All students who graduate from the Saint Francis University Cybersecurity Program will

1. Understand the various specialties in the Cybersecurity discipline.
2. Demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning, and problem-solving skills to resolve real-world, Cybersecurity-related scenarios and issues.
3. Excel in their chosen track(s), demonstrated by their success on certain certification examinations and on projects within their classes

All students who graduate from the Saint Francis University Cybersecurity Program are part of our Digital Forensics Program of Study, which specifically ensures that these students will

1. Use industry-recognized software and hardware to conduct digital forensic investigations that comply with the standard methodology and investigative process.
2. Apply a foundational understanding of computer networks, operating systems, file systems, and devices as they relate to digital investigations.
3. Understand and apply the legal, procedural, and ethical requirements related to the acquisition and analysis of digital evidence.
4. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
5. Function effectively as a member of a team engaged in digital forensic activities.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 4 years of full-time study

Capstone Requirement:

Students will have the opportunity to sit for industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications based on their learning or to engage in a semester-long project in every track in the program.

Total Credits Required:

128 credits minimum