Prerequisite Course

Students who have not taken a foundational computer networking course and/or lack previous experience in the networking technology field may be required to take CYBR 590 Computer Networking (3 cr.) as part of their program.

This course provides an overview and foundational understanding of concepts essential to the cybersecurity professional to evaluate best practices in implementing security systems within the enterprise. This course covers key bodies of knowledge in security, privacy, and compliance. Topics include security planning, risk management, security technologies, basic cryptography, digital forensics, application security, intrusion detection and prevention, physical security, and privacy issues.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

• Apply the principles of information technology security
• Analyze situations of computer and network usage from a security perspective to develop a security mindset
• Explain information security’s importance in our increasingly computer-driven world
• Identify appropriate strategies to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information
• Express management’s role in the development, maintenance, and enforcement of an information security program
• Describe the relationship among laws, regulations, and professional issues in information security
• Articulate how cryptography serves as the central language of information security
• Analyze how physical security fits within an information security program
• Define the roles of computer forensics in information security
• Apply basic software tools for assessing the security posture of a business
• Explain how issues of privacy relate to business information security

This course provides a comprehensive overview of network security and intrusion detection. Students focus on methods for securing networks and utilize these methods in basic architectural design. Students will apply these methods to a cohesive network security strategy. Topics include investigation of areas such as network analysis, perimeter defense strategies, network monitoring, vulnerability, intrusion detection, and security in mobile and wireless environments.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

• Implement secure design principles in network architectures
• Integrate secure network components through knowledge of the operation of hardware, transmission media, network access control devices, endpoint security, and content distribution networks
• Implement secure communication channels according to design that involves voice, multimedia collaboration, remote access, data communications, and virtualized networks
• Specify procedures to recover from attacks on network systems
• Conduct logging and monitoring activities to support intrusion detection and prevention, and event management
• Identify threats and vulnerabilities in networked systems

This course introduces techniques for information distribution in such a way that data privacy is protected. It discusses models and frameworks for privacy protection that support privacy enhancements from economic, legal, and policy perspectives. Fundamentals of cryptographic theory and practice along with its applications are introduced in topics such as classical and contemporary ciphers, encryption and decryption, breaking ciphers, cryptographic protocols, and analysis tools.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

• Protect privacy and understand concepts such as data owners, processors, and collection limitations, and ensure proper asset retention
• Analyze key laws designed to protect privacy
• Determine data security controls through an understanding of data states, standards selection, and data protection methods, and establish information and asset handling requirements
• Develop data standards related to the data life cycle, control, specification, storage, archiving, and responsible personnel
• Explain the basic principles of cryptography, including various cipher methods, hash functions, and cryptographic algorithms
• Identify the major protocols used for secure communications for both wired and wireless networks

This course introduces the principles and best practices for incident response, along with an overview of digital forensics. Students understand the goals of incident response and learn how to prepare and respond to information security incidents and understand how the incident occurred. Students understand the process of collecting and analyzing data and the process of remediation. The course outlines the investigative and analysis process, tools, digital evidence and applicable law with a focus on computer, mobile, network, and database forensics.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

• Implement the basics of evidence collection and documentation, reporting, investigative techniques, digital forensics tools, and procedures
• Interpret the requirements for investigation types of administrative, criminal, civil, regulatory, and industry standards and the associated costs
• Identify the implications of data location in responding to security incidents
• Conduct incident management through all stages of a breach with knowledge of detection, response, mitigation, reporting, recovery, and remediation
• Adjust preventative measures in response to security incidents
• Implement recovery strategies such as backup, recovery sites, multiple processing sites, and system resilience via high availability, Quality of Service (QoS), and fault tolerance
• Develop incident reports and analysis presentations

This course includes a study of theoretical and practical aspects of network and web application penetration testing. Students are able to evaluate the security of a network or system’s infrastructure and outline how hackers find and attempt to exploit any vulnerabilities. Included in the course are in-depth details on ethical hacking, including reconnaissance, vulnerability assessment, exploitation, maintaining access, and covering tracks. Current tools and methodologies are stressed.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

• Explain the regulatory/legal requirements and rationale for penetration testing
• Interpret and differentiate cyber threats and exploits in a penetration testing context
• Distinguish key phases of ethical hacking: reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and covering the tracks
• Perform protocol analysis using packet captures and analyze data using a network sniffer
• Investigate and uncover network devices, operating systems, and services
• Discover network security issues using an intrusion detection tool
• Leverage penetration testing applications to recognize information targets across operating systems and services
• Implement scripts and tools to assist in penetration testing
• Deploy and test exploits targeting operating systems and services
• Identify and exploit various vulnerabilities in web applications

General:

• An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
• If your overall GPA is below 2.75, you may receive conditional status in the program at the discretion of the program director

Students who have not taken a foundational computer networking course and/or lack previous experience in the networking technology field may be required to take CYBR 590 Computer Networking (3 cr.) as part of their program.

You don’t need GRE/GMAT scores to apply for this program.

Transfer credits are not accepted for this program.

• Students with transcripts from universities outside the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada (except for the Quebec Province) must take and pass English proficiency testing
• Saint Mary’s accepts the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0, the Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 74 percent, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 51, or the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0

Whether you apply through our online application via hard copy, or in-person with a Saint Mary’s admissions counselor, your application must include the following items:

$25 non-refundable application fee: Note that Saint Mary’s alumni, students seeking readmission, veterans, and active military personnel are exempt from this application fee.

Official transcripts: An official transcript issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits must be sent separately and directly from your institution. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota accepts official transcripts electronically from previously attended institutions. Transcripts should be sent to oladmissions@smumn.edu or mailed to:

Transcript Processing Center
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
851 Trafalgar Court, Suite 420
Maitland, FL 32751

An up-to-date résumé: Include both your educational and professional experience.

Two references: Provide the names of two people (including title, organization, email, and phone number) who can serve as professional references, if needed, during the application review process. The best references are those who know you professionally, such as current or former supervisors.

A written statement: Your background and future goals impact your success with Saint Mary’s and inform your education. As you prepare your written statement, think about including previous experiences, education, and your strengths and interests. Share your motivations for earning the online cybersecurity technology certification and how it will contribute to your career.

Upcoming application deadlines for Saint Mary’s online Cybersecurity Technology Graduate Certificate:

• Fall: August 20, 2024
• Spring: December 18, 2023
• Summer: April 22, 2024

Upcoming start dates for Saint Mary’s online Cybersecurity Technology Graduate Certificate:

• Fall: September 3, 2024
• Spring: January 8, 2024
• Summer: May 6, 2024

Once you’ve submitted your application, expect to be notified about acceptance approximately two weeks after your submission date.