Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology)

Please Note: The Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations is also available through Penn State World Campus (CAOWC_BS).

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 cyber defense 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

This program currently has administrative enrollment controls. Administrative Enrollment Controls are initiated when limitations of space, faculty, or other resources in a major prevent accommodating all students who request them. Students must follow the administrative enrollment controls that are in effect for the semester that they enter the university.

First-Year Students Entering Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021

In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, students must satisfy the following requirements:

• 40-70 graded Penn State credits (excludes transfer and AP credits)
• completed with a grade of C or better: CYBER 100, IST 140 or CMPSC 101 or CMPSC 121, IST 210, IST 220, IST 242, STAT 200
• earned a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00

Students Who Entered Prior to Summer 2020

Students who entered the University from Summer 2018 through Spring 2020 should view the administrative enrollment controls in the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin archive. Students who entered the University prior to the summer 2018 semester should view the administrative enrollment controls for the semester that they entered the university on the Academic Advising Portal.

Degree Requirements

For the B.S. degree in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, a minimum of 126 credits is required:

21 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 6 credits of GQ courses, 6 credits of GS courses, 9 credits of GWS courses.

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.)

• Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
• Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Knowledge Domains

• Arts (GA): 6 credits
• Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
• Humanities (GH): 6 credits
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
• Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits

Integrative Studies (may also complete a Knowledge Domain requirement)

• Inter-Domain or Approved Linked Courses: 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.

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.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
CAS 100	Effective Speech	3
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
CYBER 100S	Computer Systems Literacy	3
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 140	Introduction to Application Development	3
IST 210	Organization of Data	3
IST 220	Networking and Telecommunications	3
IST 230	Language, Logic, and Discrete Mathematics	3
IST 242	Intermediate & Object-Oriented Application Development	3
IST 261	Application Development Design Studio I	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
MATH 110	Techniques of Calculus I	4
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
SRA 472	Integration of Privacy and Security	3
STAT 200	Elementary Statistics	4
Additional Courses
ENGL 15	Rhetoric and Composition	3
or ENGL 30H	Honors Rhetoric and Composition
ENGL 202C	Effective Writing: Technical Writing	3
or ENGL 202D	Effective Writing: Business Writing
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 12 credits from one of the Application Focus course lists in Appendix B; at least 6 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 teaching faculty member.		12

Program Learning Objectives

1. KNOWLEDGE/APPLICATION: Explain and apply the interdisciplinary knowledge of information sciences in a security context to recognize, analyze, defend against, and manage cyber risks.
   1. Describe the components and interoperability of computer hardware, operating systems, networks and databases.
   2. Demonstrate proficiency in programming and scripting to perform Cybersecurity automation and analysis.
   3. Identify Cyber threats and appropriate defensive designs and tools to mitigate the risk of attack.
   4. Explain the procedures for Cybersecurity Incident Handling and Response.
   5. Illustrate the static and dynamic analysis of malware.
2. PROBLEM-SOLVING: Understand, apply and adapt various problem solving strategies, using appropriate technology and methods
   1. Identify Cybersecurity threats and implement complementary defensive measures to mitigate risk.
   2. Apply data analytics in a security context to analyze, predict and prevent cyberattacks.
   3. Perform malware analysis and forensics to understand the nature and origin of attacks.
   4. Evaluate several Cybersecurity frameworks and provide analysis that culminates in a high level executive briefing exercise.
3. COMMUNICATION (INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM): Communicate and work effectively (both individually and in teams) with a range of perspectives and audiences through a variety of media
   1. Synthesize data from multiple sources to help make informed decisions.
   2. Communicate and work effectively (both individually and in teams) with a range.
   3. Participate effectively on teams to accomplish a common cybersecurity task.
4. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Describe professional responsibilities in terms of the ethical, legal and security policy aspects of information assurance and security.
   1. Identify the rules, regulations and issues related to compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to Information Security and Privacy.
   2. Recognize the legal and ethical ramifications of violating the trust that organizations will place in you as a Cybersecurity professional.
5. LIFELONG LEARNING: Commit to the continuous acquisition of relevant knowledge for professional development by self-teaching and/or on-going education and certification.
   1. Employ information-seeking strategies and self-directed learning in pursuit of current knowledge.
   2. Explore and become aware of professional development and industry certifications to enhance future career opportunities and the profession.

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

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
301 Outreach Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3283
advising@outreach.psu.edu

Altoona

David Barnes
Associate Professor of Teaching
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5275
drb21@psu.edu

Beaver

Carey McDougall
Director of Academic Affairs
100 University Drive
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3939
cem33@psu.edu

Berks

Tricia Clark
Program Coordinator, Instructor
Gaige 211
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6349
tkc3@psu.edu

Brandywine

Andy Landmesser
Assistant Teaching Professor of IST
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1410
jal620@psu.edu

Greater Allegheny

Galen Grimes
Associate Professor of Information Sciences and Technology
213E Frable Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
412-675-9143
gag5@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

Shenango

Elaine Andrews
Assistant Director, Academic Affairs
147 Shenango Avenue
Sharon, PA 16148
724-983-2827
eja12@psu.edu

York

William Cantor
Assistant Teaching Professor in IST
226 Grumbacher Building (GISTC)
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 2020-21 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contain suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).

Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, B.S. at University Park 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.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University 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.

GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.

Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.

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.

Application Development

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
IST 110	Information, People and Technology	3
IST 311	Object-Oriented Design and Software Applications	3
IST 331	Foundations of Human-Centered Design	3
IST 361	Application Development Design Studio II	3
IST 402	Emerging Issues and Technologies	3
IST 411	Distributed-Object Computing	3
IST 412	The Engineering of Complex Software Systems	3

Geopolitics

Understanding the geopolitical landscape is key to understanding and modeling cyberthreats from nation-states and other threat actors. The Geopolitics focus is for students who have an interest in pursuing cybersecurity careers in government or related consulting sectors.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GEOG 160	Mapping Our Changing World	3
GEOG 260	Geographic Information in a Changing World: Introduction to GIScience	3
IB 440	Globalization and Its Implications	3
PLSC 14	International Relations	3
PLSC 461	Politics of the European Union	3
PLSC 467	International Relations of the Middle East	3
PLSC 481	Global Political Economy	3
GEOG 333	Human Dimensions of Natural Hazards	3
GEOG 363	Geographic Information Systems	3
AFR/PLSC 440	Globalization and Its Implications	3
SRA 450	Cyber-Crime and Cyber-Warfare	3
SRA 480	Crisis Informatics	3

Law and Policy

Cybersecurity careers in law enforcement require knowledge of laws and policies focused on the handling of evidence related to digital forensics and monitoring. Individuals in the private sector and government agencies must also understand and adhere to these topics as they involve cybersecurity. The Law and Policy focus is for students who want to understand law and policy as they relate to digital data.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
COMM 180	Survey of Electronic Media and Telecommunications	3
COMM 404	Telecommunications Law	3
CRIM/CRIMJ 100	Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
CRIM/CRIMJ 113	Introduction to Law	3
PLSC 14	International Relations	3
PLSC 140	Contemporary Controversies in International Relations	3
PLSC 438	National Security Policies	3
PLSC 442	American Foreign Policy	3
PLSC/STS 460	Science, Technology, and Public Policy	3
PLSC 467	International Relations of the Middle East	3
CRIM/CRIMJ/SOC 467	Law and Society	3
HLS/PADM 401	Introduction to Homeland Security (offered by Harrisburg and World Campus only)	3
PLSC/CRIMJ 439	The Politics of Terrorism	3
PLSC 487	International Law and Organizations (not offered at University Park)	3

Economics

The Economics focus is for students who have an interest in pursuing cybersecurity careers in the financial services sector or government. Designed to help students understand today’s financial and economic environments, this focus highlights the importance of translating the financial and economic impact of cybersecurity activities to effectively manage any program.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ECON 102	Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy	3
BLAW 243	Legal Environment of Business	3
BA 301	Finance	3
ECON 302	Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis	3
ECON 402	Decision Making and Strategy in Economics	3
ECON 409	Economics of Terrorism	3
ECON 445	Health Economics	3
ECON 470	International Trade and Finance	3
FIN 301	Corporation Finance	3
HPA 445	Health Economics	3
PLSC 412	International Political Economy	3
PLSC 481	Global Political Economy	3

Health Care

Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies are just a few of the sectors that have strict requirements around protecting health care data. The Health Care focus is for students who have an interest in pursuing cybersecurity careers in a health care environment. Understanding how information is managed in these environments will help students thrive in a health care-related career.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
HPA 101	Introduction to Health Services Organization	3
BBH 101	Introduction to Biobehavioral Health	3
ECON 445	Health Economics	3
HPA 332	Health Systems Management	3
HPA 445	Health Economics	3
HPA 450	Healthcare Policies and Politics	3
IST 110	Information, People and Technology	3
NURS 357	Introduction to Nursing Informatics (offered at Commonwealth and World Campuses; not at University Park)	3
HPA/BBH 440	Principles of Epidemiology	3
HPA 470	Health Care Information Management	3
NURS 458	Ethical Challenges in Healthcare Informatics (offered at Commonwealth and World Campuses; not at University Park)	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.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE CYBERSECURITY ANALYTICS AND OPERATIONS PROGRAM

Contact

University Park

OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
E397F Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3450
programs@ist.psu.edu

https://ist.psu.edu/directory/office/grad_undergrad_studies

World Campus

OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
E397F Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3450
programs@ist.psu.edu

https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-cybersecurity-analytics-and-operations-bachelor-of-science-degree/overview

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

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
100 University Drive
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3939
cem33@psu.edu

Berks

EBC DIVISION
Gaige Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6349
tkc3@psu.edu

Brandywine

25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1410
jal620@psu.edu

https://www.brandywine.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/cybersecurity-analytics-operations

Greater Allegheny

213E Frable Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
412-675-9143
gag5@psu.edu

https://greaterallegheny.psu.edu/academics/cybersecurity

Harrisburg

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Olmsted Building, E355
717-948-6141
ljc43@psu.edu

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/business-administration/bachelor-science-cybersecurity-analytics

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/degrees/bacc-degrees/cybersecurity-analytics-and-operations

Shenango

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
147 Shenango Avenue
Sharon, PA 16148
724-983-2827
eja12@psu.edu

York

226 Grumbacher Building (GISTC)
York, PA 17403
717-771-4143
wpc2@psu.edu