Department of Management Information Systems

Information Assurance Concentration

The Master of Science degree in Information Systems & Sciences program offers a concentration in Information Assurance. 

The program prepares students for professional careers in information security and other related information technology fields. In particular, students are equipped to be security analysts, designers, auditors or managers, with an appropriate range of knowledge and skills to develop and manage a company’s or institution’s security architectures, standards, policies and programs.     

 Students who choose the Information Assurance concentration will:

  • Design, implement, maintain, diagnose and audit information systems under the principles of high security and integrity.
  • Mastery of the knowledge and skills required in contemporary systems security and be able to keep them up-to-date through self-study.
  • Conduct applied research in Information Assurance areas, for providing solution to problems found in this field.
  • Secure computers and networks from hacker attacks, malicious code, espionage or natural disasters, and detect potential threats.
  • Protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and their delivery systems, whether the data are in storage, in process or in transit.

The Information Assurance curriculum, which is driven by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) 4011 standards and the IT Security Essential Body of Knowledge (EBK) – a competency and functional framework for IT security workforce development, is a major factor in the recognition of Bowie State University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in IA Education (CAE/IAE) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The program also enables BRAC-affected personnel to acquire the knowledge and skills essential for developing organizational standards, managing current policies, and analyzing emerging issues in information threat management. The MSIA concentration is developed with support of the grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). The Department of Management Information Systems at Bowie State University, with the technical assistance of the Division of Information Technology, offers this program geared towards many jobs involved in the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process that deal with information security issues.

Remark: 

1. This program is one of the reasons why BSU is recognized as the National Centers of Academic Excellence in IA Education (CAE/IAE) by NSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). For information, see at https://niccs.cisa.gov/formal-education/national-centers-academic-excellence-cybersecurity-ncae-c

2. The courses in this program are certified by Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS): 4011 and 4013 certifications.

NSTISSI-4011

National Training Standard for Information Systems Security (INFOSEC) Professionals, dated 20 June 1994

CNSSI-4013

National Information Assurance Training Standard For System Administrators (SA), dated March 2004

 

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