Cyber Education Pathways at Boise State University
A recent study by Cybersecurity Ventures [1], a respected publisher of cybersecurity content, predicts that 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs around the world will be unfilled by 2021. In the United States, the demand for professionals with cybersecurity expertise is outpacing all other occupations [2]. These reports, along with many others, underpin the need for increased workforce development initiatives founded on cybersecurity principles. The workforce shortage is across all cybersecurity domains, yet our adversaries are always advancing, always probing for vulnerabilities in corporate enterprise systems, critical infrastructure systems, and vital national security systems.
To combat this persistent threat, which is a 24/7 operation, we need all hands on deck. We must ensure students are positioned to fully support the cyber world; we need people with different perspectives, approaches, ways of thinking, and methods to solve the cyber challenges we are facing and will face. This need is especially pressing when assessing our current and future digital landscape — tireless and ever-expanding connectivity supported by societal needs and economic development, yet compromised by the common criminal to nation-state sponsored criminal activity.
Cyber for ALL (online)
In this technologically forward world, one that is expanding more rapidly than society and policy can react, it is imperative that we train all students with fundamental cyber defense skills. Accordingly, all students, no matter the major, should understand the implications of good versus bad cyber hygiene. The Cyber for All certificate bridges this gap. This certificate can be added to any degree across campus. If you have any questions, please email cps@boisestate.edu
Cyber for All Certificate
| Course Number and Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| CPS 100 Fundamentals of Cybersecurity | 3 |
| CPS 200 Internet of Things: Connected Devices | 3 |
| CPS 201 Hands-on Security: From Home to Office and Everything in Between | 3 |
| CPS 203 Introduction to Digital Forensics and Incident Response | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Cyber for STEM
We also need our technical students to be cyber proficient, so they can competently navigate their domain space when addressing cyber challenges. We call this cyber-informed engineering. This means that STEM graduates will be aware of cyber issues that impact the security of programs, systems, codes or algorithms they are designing. For any STEM students, you can add one of these certificates to your undergraduate degree.
Security in Cyber Physical Systems Software Focus
| Course Number and Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECE 337/CS 330/MATH 337/ENGR 337/ME 337 Introductions to Security in Cyber-Physical Systems | 3 |
| Choose 2 courses from: CS 331 Computer Security & Information Assurance CS 332 Ethical Hacking CS 333 Networking Security and Defense MATH 307 Foundations of Cryptology | 6 |
| One course selected from a different Security in Cyber-Physical Systems Certificate | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Security in Cyber Physical Systems Hardware Firmware Focus
| Course Number and Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECE 337/CS 330/MATH 337/ENGR 337/ME 337 Introductions to Security in Cyber-Physical Systems | 3 |
| Choose 2 courses from: ECE 430 Digital Hardware Design ECE 432/CS 441 Computer Architecture ECE 433 Embedded & Portable Computer Systems ECE 451 Communication Systems ECE 456 Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning | 6 |
| One course selected from a different Security in Cyber-Physical Systems Certificate | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Security in Cyber Physical Systems Power Systems Focus
| Course Number and Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECE 337/CS 330/MATH 337/ENGR 337/ME 337 Introductions to Security in Cyber-Physical Systems | 3 |
| Choose 2 courses from: ECE 371 Smart Grid and Renewable Energy Systems ECE 473 Power Systems Analysis I ECE 474 Power Systems Analysis II | 6 |
| One course selected from a different Security in Cyber-Physical Systems Certificate | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Security in Cyber Physical Systems Industrial Processes Focus
| Course Number and Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECE 337/CS 330/MATH 337/ENGR 337/ME 337 Introductions to Security in Cyber-Physical Systems | 3 |
| Choose 2 courses from: CS 424 Cyber Security of Critical Infrastructures ECE 360/ME 360 Systems Modeling and Control ME 465 Robust Control of Industrial Systems | 6 |
| One course selected from a different Security in Cyber- Physical Systems Certificate | 3 |
| Total: | 12 |
Cyber Operations (online)
The Cyber Operations Certificate is for students interested in a career dedicated to protecting and defending cyber systems. Through this certificate, students will learn about information assurance, offensive security, defensive security, forensics, and disaster recovery — all of which provide the foundational knowledge needed to become a leader in the cybersecurity field. If you have any questions, please email cps@boisestate.edu
Cyber Operations Certificate
| Course Number and Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| CPS 301 Information Assurance and Critical Thinking | 3 |
| CPS 412 Foundational Essentials for IT Cybersecurity Practitioners | 3 |
| Choose 2 courses from: CPS 401 Defensive Security CPS 402 Offensive Security CPS 403 Recovery and Forensics | 6 |
| Total | 12 |
Cybersecurity Minor
The objective of this minor is to educate students with correct computing ethics and prepare them with enough knowledge to understand the importance of cybersecurity in the workforce as well as the skills to effectively prevent/detect/be aware of possible cyber-crimes. This minor is a great option for students majoring in engineering, mathematics, information technology and management, health sciences and other programs. Graduates who received this minor will be well positioned to jobs that combine their domains with cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity Minor
| Course Number and Title | Credit |
|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: CS 117 C++ for Engineers CS 121 Computer Science I ITM 225 Introduction to Programming | 3-4 |
| CS-HU 153 Navigating Computer Systems | 1 |
| Choose one of the following: CS 230 Ethical Issues in Computing ITM 305 Info Technology & Network Essentials MATH 305 Intro to Abstract Algebra & Number Theory MATH 307* Foundations of Cryptology | 3 |
| CS 331 Computer Security and Information Assurance or ITM 455 Information Security | 3 |
| Choose two of the following (at least one CS course): CS 332 Ethical Hacking CS 333 Networking Security and Defense MATH 307* Foundations of Cryptology MATH 308 Introduction to Algebraic Cryptology MATH 408 Advanced Asymmetric Cryptography & Cryptanalysis | |
| Total: *This course cannot be earned more than 3 credits towards the minor | 16-17 |
Cyber Research
To contribute to the leading-edge of cyber security research and development, students must have a deep understanding and demonstratable skills in computing-related domains, such as in software and network engineering, hardware and embedded systems, or data structures and algorithms. For software and network engineering, students can pursue the BS in Computer Science. For hardware and embedded systems, students can pursue the BS in Electrical Engineering. For mathematics and algorithms, students can pursue the BS in Mathematics. The knowledge you gain from any of the above degrees provide the fundamental background needed to work on large project teams dedicated to solving cyber challenges.
IT Management
All organizations need business leaders with a background in information technology. The BS in IT Management provides aspiring leaders in information technology-related fields, including cyber security, the project management, business fundamentals, and technical insight to inform and drive business critical decisions.
Students with Associate Degree
If you have completed an associate’s degree and have an interest in cyber security, we have a pathway for you too. In addition to transferring into any of the degree programs discussed above, other options include pursuing the Undergraduate Cyber Operations and Resilience (uCORe) program. This program is designed to build on your past education and work experience. The uCORe BAS/BS program provides you the opportunity to apply up to 48 technical education credits to the degree requirements. Working with the uCORe advisors, you can tailor your education.
Cyber Graduate Education
As the world becomes more reliant on cyber systems, organizations need professionals with deep foundational knowledge in cyber security who are also able to innovate. Research intensive cyber-related graduate programs, such as the MS in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Mathematics or the PhD in Computing as well as the PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering enable students to advance their scientific knowledge and make significant technical contributions to their field.
[1] Cyber Security Job Report
[2] New Data Show Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals Accelerating