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Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations in the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers as cybersecurity professionals. It educates students on the essential concepts of cyber-defense and the analytical fundamentals of cybersecurity, with a focus on the analytical and risk management underpinnings and associated cyber-defense techniques and strategies for ensuring the safety of online information stored in large and heterogeneous networks that are embedded within and across the complex socio-technical infrastructures that are pervasive in today's business, government and military organizations. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to critically assess and respond to modern information security threats, using approaches that are grounded in a holistic understanding of adversarial strategies and effective responses. More specifically, it will offer an in-depth and domain-independent approach to the development of skills in cyberdefense technologies, tools and processes; cybersecurity analytics and visualization; and cybersecurity risk analysis and management. The major draws from concepts and skills associated with a number of disciplines, including information science, management science, statistics and data science, human behavior, and law/policy. Graduates will be prepared to join the rapidly growing cybersecurity workforce deployed across organizations of diverse sizes and missions.
What is Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations?
Cybersecurity is a field that deals with the protection of computer systems, networks, programs, and data from attacks and unauthorized access. This includes the development of cyber defense tools to protect critical infrastructure as well as the analysis and mitigation of cyber threats.
Cybersecurity is a very broad field. This program focuses students beyond the information technology field and instead focuses on the analysis of cybersecurity data, identification of cyber incidents, understanding the actions of malware, communication of concerns to business stakeholders and the general public. High performing cyber analysts have a strong mathematical and computational background. They often employ computer programming and scripting to solve problems and integrate existing tools. They analyze the data they are presented with from intrusion detection sensors, firewalls, and anti-malware tools.
Cybersecurity professionals apply their skills for organizations to prevent cyber criminals, hacktivists, and persistent nation-state actors. They protect organizations, companies, healthcare institutions, and government agencies from the loss of confidential data. They keep abreast of new developments technically, as well as those in the work domain of the organization and events that occur in the world at large.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CYBERSECURITY ANALYTICS AND OPERATIONS
You Might Like This Program If...
- You enjoy working with and on computers as well as their operating systems and applications.
- You have an interest in business and organizations and securing
- You want to protect digital information, data stores, and computer networks from threats.
- You want to learn the cyber defense strategies used to anticipate, recognize, and defend against computer attacks.
- You're passionate about how we can keep sensitive information out of the hands of hackers, cybercriminals, and terrorist organizations.
- You enjoy working on a team to solve technical problems for organizations.
- You are interested in computer programming and mathematics.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHY STUDENTS CHOOSE TO STUDY CYBERSECURITY ANALYTICS AND OPERATIONS
Entrance to Major
To be eligible for the Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations major, students must:
- Have completed the following entrance-to-major requirements with a grade of C or better in each: CYBER 100 or CYBER 100S, IST 210, IST 220, IST 242 or CMPSC 122 or CMPSC 132, and STAT 200 or SCM 200.
- Have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 prior to and through the end of the semester during which the entrance to major is requested.
Degree Requirements
For the B.S. degree in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, a minimum of 123 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Requirements for the Major | 87 |
12 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 6 credits of GQ courses, 3 credits of GS courses, 3 credits of GWS courses.
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CYBER 262 | Cyber-Defense Studio | 3 |
| CYBER 342W | Cyber Incident Handling and Response | 3 |
| CYBER 362 | Cybersecurity Analytics Studio | 3 |
| CYBER 366 | Malware Analytics | 3 |
| CYBER 440 | Cybersecurity Capstone | 3 |
| IST 210 | Organization of Data | 3 |
| IST 220 | Networking and Telecommunications | 3 |
| IST 230 | Language, Logic, and Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| IST 432 | Legal and Regulatory Environment of Information Science and Technology | 3 |
| IST 451 | Network Security | 3 |
| IST 454 | Computer and Cyber Forensics | 3 |
| IST 456 | Information Security Management | 3 |
| IST 495 | Internship | 1 |
| SRA 111 | Introduction to Security and Risk Analysis  | 3 |
| SRA 211 | Threat of Terrorism and Crime | 3 |
| SRA 221 | Overview of Information Security | 3 |
| SRA 231 | Decision Theory and Analysis | 3 |
| SRA 311 | Risk Analysis in a Security Context | 3 |
| SRA 365 | Statistics for Security and Risk Analysis | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CYBER 100 | Computer Systems Literacy | 3 |
| or CYBER 100S | Computer Systems Literacy | |
| ENGL 202C | Effective Writing: Technical Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 202D | Effective Writing: Business Writing | |
| MATH 110 | Techniques of Calculus I | 4 |
| or MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | |
| STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
| or SCM 200 | Introduction to Statistics for Business | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Programming Techniques | ||
| Programming and Computation I: Fundamentals | ||
| Introduction to Application Development | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intermediate Programming | ||
| Programming and Computation II: Data Structures | ||
| Intermediate & Object-Oriented Application Development | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Programming for the Web | ||
| Application Development Design Studio I | ||
| Application Development Design Studio II | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 9 credits from one of the Application Focus course lists. At least 3 credits must be at the 400-level. Students may also complete a custom Application Focus sequence with approval from an academic adviser and a CYBER undergraduate program coordinator. | 9 | |
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Abington
Joseph Oakes
Program Chair
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
267-633-3316
jxo19@psu.edu
Altoona
David Barnes
Teaching Professor
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5275
drb21@psu.edu
Beaver
Richard Lomotey
Assistant Professor, Information Sciences and Technology
100 University Dr.
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3814
rkl5137@psu.edu
Berks
Tricia Clark
Program Coordinator, Instructor
Gaige 211
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6349
BKCybAnalyticsOp@psu.edu
Brandywine
Nannette D'Imperio
Lecturer, Information Sciences and Technology
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1343
nxd13@psu.edu
Greater Allegheny
Jennifer L. Breese, D.Sc.
Assistant Professor of Information Sciences and Technology and Program Coordinator of Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
Frable Building, 201Q
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
412-736-9660
jzb545@psu.edu
Harrisburg
Andrew B. Morrow
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building, E355
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6160
abm140@psu.edu
Lehigh Valley
Kermit Burley
Coordinator of Information Sciences and Technology
2809 Saucon Valley Road
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-285-5071
kmb6846@psu.edu
Schuylkill
Brian Gardner
Program Coordinator
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6076
bkg113@psu.edu
University Park
Undergraduate Academic Advising Center
E103 Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-8947
advising@ist.psu.edu
World Campus
Undergraduate Academic Advising
100 Innovation Blvd
Suite 225
University Park, PA 16803
814-863-3283
advising@worldcampus.psu.edu
York
Bill Cantor
Assistant Teaching Professor in Information Sciences and Technology
1031 Edgecomb Ave.
York, PA 17403
717-771-4143
wpc2@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.
Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, B.S. at Abington Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| CYBER 100 or 100S*# | 3 | IST 210*# | 3 | IST 495* | 0-1 |
| IST 140* | 3 | IST 220*# | 3 | ||
| CAS 100‡ | 3 | SRA 111*† | 3 | ||
| MATH 110*‡† | 4 | ENGL 15 or 30H‡ | 3 | ||
| General Education Course (GA/GH) | 3 | General Education Course (GS) | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | 0-1 | |||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| CYBER 262* | 3 | IST 230* | 3 | IST 495* | 0-1 |
| IST 242*# | 3 | IST 261* | 3 | ||
| STAT 200 or DS 200*‡#† | 4 | SRA 211* | 3 | ||
| Application Focus Selection 1 | 3 | SRA 221* | 3 | ||
| General Education Course (GN) | 3 | General Education Course (GN) | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | 0-1 | |||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| CYBER 362* | 3 | CYBER 342W* | 3 | IST 495* | 0-1 |
| SRA 231* | 3 | CYBER 366* | 3 | ||
| SRA 365* | 3 | SRA 311* | 3 | ||
| ENGL 202C or 202D*‡† | 3 | Application Focus Selection 2 | 3 | ||
| General Education Course (GA/GH) | 3 | General Education Course (GA/GH) | 3 | ||
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||||
| 16.5 | 15 | 0-1 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| IST 432* | 3 | CYBER 440* | 3 | ||
| IST 456* | 3 | IST 454* | 3 | ||
| IST 451* | 3 | Application Focus Selection 3 | 3 | ||
| General Education Course (GN) | 3 | General Education Course (GA/GH) | 3 | ||
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | Elective | 3 | ||
| 13.5 | 15 | ||||
| Total Credits 122-125 | |||||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
Advising Notes:
Students pick one of the four tracks below or create a custom 4-course application focus. Students should take one course that meets the GS requirements. Students must pick six (6) credits at the 400 level. All 12 credits must be in the same application focus area.
Law and Policy
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PLSC 1 | American Politics: Principles, Processes and Powers | 3 |
| COMM 100N | The Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| CRIMJ 100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRIMJ 220 | Courts and the Prosecution Process | 3 |
| CRIMJ 441 | The Juvenile Justice System | 3 |
| CRIMJ 451 | Race, Crime, and Justice | 3 |
| CRIMJ 453 | Women and the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CRIMJ 465 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRIMJ 497 | Special Topics (Hate Crime, Extremism, Terrorism) | 1-9 |
Health Care
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HPA 101 | Introduction to Health Services Organization | 3 |
| HPA 332 | Health Systems Management | 3 |
| IST 110 | Information, People and Technology | 3 |
| HPA 470 | Health Care Information Management | 3 |
| HPA 447 | Financing Health Care | 3 |
| SOC 451 | Health, Disease & Society | 3 |
| HIST 114N | Historical Perspectives on HealthCare Innovations | 3 |
| BIOET 110N | Health, Illness, and the Human Condition | 3 |
Software Development
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IST 110 | Information, People and Technology | 3 |
| IST 311 | Object-Oriented Design and Software Applications | 3 |
| IST 411 | Distributed-Object Computing | 3 |
| IST 412 | The Engineering of Complex Software Systems | 3 |
Business
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 102 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| ECON 104 | Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| FIN 301 | Corporation Finance | 3 |
| ACCTG 211 | Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making | 4 |
| ACCTG 471 | Intermediate Financial Accounting I | 3 |
| ACCTG 403 | Auditing | 3 |
| MGMT 215 | Entrepreneurial Mindset | 3 |
| MGMT 301 | Basic Management Concepts | 3 |
| MGMT 425 | New Venture Creation | 3 |
| MGMT 427 | Managing an Entrepreneurial Start-Up Company | 3 |
Custom Application Focus
There is an option for a student to create a custom 4-course application focus sequence. It must be a coherent sequence of courses that provides context for the student in terms of cybersecurity content. It should contain three credits of GS coursework and must contain six credits of 400-level coursework. It must be selected in consultation with a teaching CYBER faculty member and an academic adviser.
Career Paths
Cybersecurity blends the technical expertise needed to analyze security issues and create cyberdefense strategies with the interpersonal skills needed to communicate threats to a variety of audiences. The program prepares students to meet the growing need for professionals who can defend against threats to digital information and assets. IST's Office of Career Solutions helps students navigate their internship and career development in the field through coaching, workshops, interview preparation, resume reviews, career fairs, job postings, and networking opportunities.
Careers
Because our courses blend technical knowledge with skills in communication and business, a Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations degree allows students to pursue opportunities as cybersecurity analysts, cyberthreat advisers, penetration testers, and a number of other unique careers in fields such as defense, government, and business.
Contact
Abington
DIVISION OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
267-633-3316
jxo19@psu.edu
https://www.abington.psu.edu/academics/majors-at-abington/cybersecurity
Altoona
DIVISION OF BUSINESS, ENGINEERING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5275
drb21@psu.edu
https://altoona.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/cybersecurity-analytics-operations
Beaver
100 University Dr.
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3814
rkl5137@psu.edu
https://beaver.psu.edu/academics/majors/cybersecurity
Berks
EBC DIVISION
Gaige Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6349
BKCybAnalyticsOp@psu.edu
https://berks.psu.edu/academics/bs-cybersecurity-analytics-and-operation
Brandywine
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1343
nxd13@psu.edu
https://www.brandywine.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/cybersecurity-analytics-operations
Greater Allegheny
Frable Building, 201Q
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
412-736-9660
jzb545@psu.edu
https://greaterallegheny.psu.edu/academics/cybersecurity-analytics-operations
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Olmsted Building, E355
717-948-6141
ljc43@psu.edu
https://harrisburg.psu.edu/business-administration/cybersecurity-analytics-bs
Lehigh Valley
2809 Saucon Valley Road
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-285-5071
kmb6846@psu.edu
https://lehighvalley.psu.edu/academics
Schuylkill
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6076
bkg113@psu.edu
https://schuylkill.psu.edu/academics/bacc-degrees/cybersecurity-analytics-and-operations
University Park
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
411 Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub Building
State College, PA 16801
814-865-3528
World Campus
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
411 Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub Building
State College, PA 16801
814-865-3528
York
1031 Edgecomb Ave.
York, PA 17403
717-771-4143
wpc2@psu.edu
https://www.york.psu.edu/academics/baccalaureate/cybersecurity-analytics-and-operations