Cybersecurity Defense (MS)
Master of Science Degree
The Master of Science degree in Cybersecurity Defense at the New England Institute of Technology is designed for technology professionals with experience in networking, cybersecurity or software engineering who desire to advance their leadership and cybersecurity skills as a precursor to a leadership role. From multi-national corporations to local small businesses, cybersecurity defense is an integral piece of an organization’s strategy. Information and the technology infrastructure it resides on are two of an organization’s most valuable assets and these are often continuously threatened or under active attack. Successful defense and protection of these assets requires a trained cybersecurity professional who not only understands the technical aspects, but also is aware of strategic business interests. An effective cybersecurity leader requires a blend of operational and technical expertise, leadership and management of projects and teams, and a solid foundation in the principles of cybersecurity.
The MSCD degree blends technical knowledge and essential cybersecurity skills with business management and enterprise leadership principles that drive organizations today. The program weaves technical topics such as penetration testing and digital forensics with project management, leadership and risk assessment.
While the bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Network Engineering prepares graduates to secure, design, and implement networks, databases and applications, the master’s program provides graduates with the ability to analyze business scenarios and assess risk, anticipate and respond to a continuously changing environment, address post-incident business impacts and effectively assign resources to the entities that comprise the enterprise information systems.
The program emphasizes the relevance of continuous learning to personal and professional growth through the combination of advanced technical courses and an integrated management core. Employment opportunities may include positions such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Project Manager, Incidence Response or Forensics Team Lead, Director of Software Security Engineering, Chief Information Officer (CIO), or Chief Technical Officer (CTO).
The MSCD program’s mission is to prepare information technology professionals to be workplace and community leaders in cybersecurity, able to identify and assess cybersecurity vulnerabilities under their responsibility, to develop viable, actionable plans to address those vulnerabilities and to implement, monitor and respond in accordance with those plans. The mission and program are built around the components of the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) Certification, which is often required for a cybersecurity professional to advance in the field and the requirements for an NSA Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NSA CAE CD). The program is not directly designed to prepare graduates for certification, instead program and course objectives are closely aligned with the CISSP knowledge areas and CAE CD knowledge areas.
| Term I | Quarter Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| IT 544 | Cloud Computing | 4 |
| MGM 533 | Advanced Project Management | 4 |
| Quarter Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Term II | ||
| IT 524 | Information Systems Security | 4 |
| MGM 514 | Leadership | 4 |
| Quarter Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Term III | ||
| CYB 536 | Network and System Information Assurance | 4 |
| CYB 538 | Security Auditing and Risk Management | 4 |
| Optional Practicum | 0-1 | |
| Workplace Practicum I | ||
| Quarter Credit Hours | 8-9 | |
| Term IV | ||
| CYB 542 | Ethical Hacking in Defense of the Enterprise | 4 |
| CYB 552 | Digital Forensics & Breach Investigations | 4 |
| Optional Practicum | 0-1 | |
| Workplace Practicum II | ||
| Quarter Credit Hours | 8-9 | |
| Term V | ||
| CYB 548 | Robust Incident Response Planning | 4 |
| CYB 558 | Secure Software Development | 4 |
| Optional Practicum | 0-1 | |
| Workplace Practicum III | ||
| Quarter Credit Hours | 8-9 | |
| Term VI | ||
| IT 556 | Master’s Project | 5 |
| Optional Practicum | 0-1 | |
| Workplace Practicum IV | ||
| Quarter Credit Hours | 5-6 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 45-49 | |
Legend
C = Number of lecture hours per week
L = Number of laboratory hours per week
T = Total Quarter Credit Hours where each lecture hour per week is one credit, every 2-4 laboratory hours are one credit depending on the expected amount of pre- or post-lab work.
Subject to change.
Program Mission
The NEIT Masters in Cybersecurity Defense seeks to prepare information technology professionals to be workplace and community leaders in cybersecurity, able to identify and assess cybersecurity vulnerabilities under their responsibility, to develop viable, actionable plans to address those vulnerabilities and to implement, monitor and respond in accordance with those plans.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this advanced degree program will be able to demonstrate each of the following learning outcomes:
- Proficiency in identifying vulnerabilities, anticipating attacks, using monitoring tools, and developing defensive strategies.
- Understand and analyze the technological, human, and policy challenges in this field through hands-on experience of cyber vulnerabilities, attacks, and defenses.
- Create a principled, forward-looking framework to protect organizations against cyber threats and design organizational resilience, and crisis management and response capabilities.
- Understand of cybersecurity and privacy through comprehensive consideration of technology and policy, including economic, human, legal, organizational, and socio-political factors.
- Understand the security and privacy implications of emerging technologies, such as big data, cloud computing, mobile computing, social networks, the internet of things, and Web 2.0 applications.
- Understand role of communication in leading teams and organizations, and develop communication skills necessary to influence and motivate teams.
Questions & Answers
1. When and where do my classes meet?
If you choose the on-campus course option, your course will meet in the evening, once a week from 6:30-10 p.m. Classes will usually take place at the main campus in East Greenwich, RI.
At the beginning of each term you will receive a detailed schedule giving the exact time and location of all your classes. The university requires that all students be prepared to take classes and receive services at any of NEIT’s locations where the appropriate classes and services are offered.
2. How large will my classes be?
The average size for a class is about 15 to 20 students; however, larger and smaller classes occur from time to time.
3. How long should it take me to complete my program?
To complete your degree requirements in the shortest possible time, you should take the courses outlined in the prescribed curriculum. For a typical six-term curriculum, a student may complete the requirements in as little as 18 months.
4. How long is each academic term?
Courses at New England Tech are 10 weeks long, with four terms offered per year, starting in January, April, July, and October.
5. Is NEIT accredited?
NEIT is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Accreditation by NECHE is recognized by the federal government and entitles NEIT to participate in federal financial aid programs. Some academic departments have specialized professional accreditations in addition to accreditation by NECHE. For more information on accreditation, see NEIT’s catalog.
6. Can I transfer the credits that I earn at NEIT to another college?
The transferability of a course is always up to the institution to which the student is transferring. Students interested in the transferability of their credits should contact the Office of Teaching and Learning for further information.
7. Can I transfer credits earned at another college to NEIT?
Transfer credit for appropriate courses taken at accredited institutions will be considered for courses in which the student has earned a "B" or above. An official transcript from the other institution must be received before the end of the first week of the term for transfer credit to be granted for courses to be taken during that term. Students may transfer no more than 4 credits (one course).
8. How many credits do I need to acquire my Financial Aid?
Students entering the program will be eligible for various forms of financial aid, including loans, if they take at least 4 credits per term.
9. What does my program cost?
The cost of your program will be as outlined in your enrollment agreement, along with your cost for books and other course materials.
10. What kind of employment assistance does NEIT offer?
The Career Services Office assists NEIT students and graduates in all aspects of the job search, including resume writing, interviewing skills, and developing of a job search strategy. Upon completion of their program, graduates may submit a resume to the Career Services Office to be circulated to employers for employment opportunities in their fields. Employers regularly contact us about our graduates. In addition, our Career Services Office contacts employers to develop job leads. A strong relationship with employers exists as a result of our training students to meet the needs of industry for over fifty years. No school can, and NEIT does not, guarantee to its graduates employment or a specific starting salary.
11. Where will job opportunities exist?
Graduates have obtained employment in the local area. However, one of the exciting aspects of NEIT’s programs is the ability to look nationally for employment opportunities. Graduates will have the depth of confidence and the technical and managerial education to successfully lead in the IT industry, both now and well into the future. Successful graduates may be able to advance their careers by qualifying for positions such as Project Manager, Network Manager, Chief Information officer (CIO), Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Business Analyst or Systems integrator.
12. Do I need a cybersecurity, computer science or information technology degree to enter the program?
Yes. A B.S. degree in computer science, information technology or a related field from an accredited institution is required for before beginning this degree program. You may enroll in this program pending the completion of your current B.S. degree. Significant professional experience may be considered in lieu of an appropriate degree. A transcript and/or a resume should be supplied to satisfy either of these requirements.
13. Do I need a certain grade point average to enter the program?
Yes, you will need a 2.5 grade point average to enter the program.
14. Are there any other special entrance requirements?
Yes. You will need to write a personal statement as part of your admission process that details your interest in the program and how it will enable you to accomplish your professional goals.
15. Do I need to maintain a certain grade point average?
Yes. You are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 throughout the program. The minimum passing grade for a course in the MSCD program is a C (73%).
16. What happens if I earn less than a C in a course?
Students who earn less than a C in any course will be required to re-take the course the next time it is offered. If the student does not earn a C or better in a course after the second attempt, he/she will be dismissed from the MSCD program. Students will only be allowed to re-take two courses.
17. For whom is this program designed?
The New England Tech Master of Science in Cybersecurity Defense is designed to prepare IT professionals for advancement into management and senior management roles. The program builds essential knowledge of technical themes in enterprise IT, while also providing the core business administration, management and leadership skills that IT managers need.
18. Will all or some of my classes be online?
You will have the opportunity to choose courses that are online or on-campus. You can mix them up any way you like to create a schedule that works for you and fits into your personal and professional life. The entire program can be completed completely online, though on-campus options exist for most courses as well.
19. How do online courses work?
Online courses at New England Tech are crafted by a faculty-led team of learning and technology design experts to be interesting, relevant and engaging, and to have real impact on students in their lives and on their careers. They are not self-paced courses – you will have coursework to do every week and it is important to keep up.
You can do your coursework at any time of day. At times, there may be synchronous online meetings, but these will not happen often. You will be learning as part of a connected community that provides support, challenges your thinking, and reminds you that you are not alone. Instructors are present in the course and work with students to help them be successful. See Online Learning at NEIT for more information about online courses in the MSIT program.
20. What are the hardware and software requirements for the program?
| Type | Recommended Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 or Macintosh OS X (10.14) |
| Processor | 2+ GHz |
| Memory | 4GB |
| Plug-ins | Adobe PDF Reader, Flash Adobe PDF Reader, Flash and others as required by specific courses |
| Players | QuickTime, Java Player, Java |
| Browser | Chrome, IE, Safari, Edge, Firefox (all latest versions) |
| Display | 1024x768 |
| Software | Office 365 (2016) |
| Internet Connection | FiOS/DSL/CABLE DSL/CABLE |
| Email Account | New England Tech student email account |
| Sound Card | Required |
| Other (some programs) | • A webcam (the one built into your laptop or iPad should be fine) • A microphone (built into the computer or headset is handy). • A digital camera (the one on a smart phone is fine). |
Online students must be capable of installing and maintaining their own computer’s hardware and software. New England Tech does not assist students with the setup of their computers.
Information about obtaining the software (if any) will be made available to you at the start of each course.
Note: Tablets and smartphones can be convenient for reading course materials and email but will not be sufficient for doing all of your course work.
21. I'm not so sure about online courses. What do I need to do to be successful?
No special equipment is required – just a modern Windows or Mac computer, an office suite such as Microsoft Office, and a broadband Internet connection. A webcam and microphone may be required for some activities.
New England Tech Online courses help acclimate you to the technology and build your skills and your confidence as you go. We provide 24x7 support via phone, email or chat to help you with computer or online system issues. Tablet computers can be useful for doing course readings, watching course videos,
and catching up on course discussions; but a tablet will not be sufficient for doing all your coursework – be sure you have regular access to a laptop or desktop computer.
Most importantly, you'll need to set aside time to do your coursework. This program is challenging. In an online course, you should expect to spend as much time as you'd spend in the classroom for an on- campus course, plus time for reading, projects, group work and other assignments.
22. What makes New England Tech’s MS Cybersecurity Defense program different from others?
• The program has a carefully crafted blend of advanced technical education with leadership and management skills. The curriculum balances crucial enterprise cybersecurity knowledge with mastery of business and management skills preparing you to be a cybersecurity leader in your organization.
• Courses are taught by professional practitioners and leaders in the field with advanced certifications (PMP, CISSP, etc.) who bring real life examples into the classroom.
• The program builds on technical knowledge students already possess so that graduates are comfortable in many of an organization’s technical leadership roles. Graduates are ready for roles as Project Manager, Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technical Officer (CTO) or Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
• Courses are focused on practical, real-world scenarios to convey the skills and concepts.
• Our curriculum builds a long-term, adaptable base of leadership skills to fuel your career advancement.
• A curriculum based on the CISSP certification (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
• Program moving towards NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Defense.
• Ten-week long courses keep you focused and are easier to digest, and enable you to finish your Master's degree in as little as 18 months.
• Ability to take the courses in the classroom or online (most cybersecurity programs are online only)
• A rich virtual environment (SkyTap) for simulations and practical exercises.
• Graduates are given the tools to make decisions that support the strategic goals of the organization.
• 24x7 technical support by email, chat or phone helps you work on your schedule.
23. What are the admissions requirements to the Master’s program?
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.5, is required for admission to this degree program. You may enroll in this program pending the completion of your current bachelor's degree. Successful applicants will typically have a B.S. degree in computer science, information technology or a related field, or have considerable professional experience in IT. A transcript and/or a resume should be supplied to satisfy either of these requirements.
You'll also provide a Personal Statement as part of your admission process – a brief essay that details your qualifications and interest in the program and how it will enable you to accomplish your professional goals.
Technical Standards
These technical standards set forth by the Computer Science department establish the essential qualifications considered necessary for students admitted to the program. The successful student must possess the following skills and abilities or be able to demonstrate they can complete the requirements of the program with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
Cognitive Ability
- Good reasoning and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to learn, remember and recall detailed information and to use it for problem solving.
- Ability to deal with materials and problems such as organizing or reorganizing information.
- Ability to use abstractions in specific concrete situations.
- Ability to separate complex information into its component parts.
- Ability to perform tasks by observing demonstrations.
- Ability to perform tasks by following written instructions.
- Ability to perform tasks following verbal instructions.
- Possession of basic keyboarding skills and knowledge of computer programs.
Communications Skills
- Ability to speak in understandable English in a classroom situation on a one-on-one basis as well as before a group.
- Ability to communicate effectively with faculty and other students.
- Ability to demonstrate and use the knowledge acquired during the classroom training process.
- Ability to verbally express technical concepts clearly and distinctly.
- Ability to express thoughts clearly.
- Adaptive Ability
- Ability to remain calm in the face of computer lab equipment and/or software failure.
- Ability to maintain emotional stability and the maturity necessary to interact with members of the faculty and students in a responsible manner.
- Ability to tolerate the differences in all students, faculty, and administration.
- Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks under stressful and demanding conditions. Ability to adapt in a positive manner to new and changing situations with an open mind and flexibility.
- Ability to think clearly and act quickly and appropriately in stressful situations.
Physical Ability
- Ability to sit continuously at a personal computer for long periods of time in order to learn and become proficient in computer programming and networking.
- Ability to perform learned skills independently, with accuracy and completeness within reasonable time frames in accordance with classroom and business procedures.
- Manual Ability
- Sufficient motor function and sensory abilities to participate effectively in the classroom laboratory.
- Sufficient manual dexterity and motor coordination to coordinate hands, eyes and fingers in the operation of computers and business equipment.
Sensory Ability
Visual
- Acute enough to see clearly and interpret the contents on the computer screen.
| Type | Recommended Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 or Macintosh OS X (10.14) |
| Processor | 2+ GHz |
| Memory | 4GB |
| Plug-ins | Adobe PDF Reader, Flash Adobe PDF Reader, Flash and others as required by specific courses |
| Players | QuickTime, Java Player, Java |
| Browser | Chrome, IE, Safari, Edge, Firefox (all latest versions) |
| Display | 1024x768 |
| Software | Office 365 (2016) |
| Internet Connection | FiOS/DSL/CABLE DSL/CABLE |
| Email Account | New England Tech student email account |
| Sound Card | Required |
| Other (some programs) | • A webcam (the one built into your laptop or iPad should be fine) • A microphone (built into the computer or headset is handy). • A digital camera (the one on a smart phone is fine). |