The size and scope of computer networks, along with the increasing dependency on this technology, continues to expand each day, along with the threat of damaging software and hacking. Therefore, computer security has become a major concern. The result is an increased need for people and technology that can secure and protect the data assets of an organization as well as the hardware and software infrastructures that house the information.
The Bachelor of Science degree in computing security produces professionals who understand people and processes that impact information security. In addition to possessing state-of-the-art knowledge in the preservation of information assets, students become experts in the identification of computer security vulnerabilities. Students also understand the forensic requirements needed to prove an attack occurred, identify its origin, assess the extent of the damage or loss of information, and design strategies that ensure data can be recovered.
An important goal is to provide students with a level of specialization in computing security beyond what is provided by more general majors offered in information systems or information technology. This is accomplished by providing a foundation that includes the breadth of computing disciplines and then allows the student to focus on a particular area of security such as forensics, mobile device forensics, or network or computing system security. Favoring depth over breadth, students are allowed sufficient time to explore the issues and technologies of computer and network security.
Positions in computing security are found in nearly every area of commerce. From small local businesses to large multi-national corporations, they all depend on a complex networking infrastructure to conduct their business and require security professionals to maintain these systems. The graduates of computing security from RIT Dubai are expertly prepared to provide the support demanded by enterprises of all sizes as well as national, state, and local security agencies. Possible career options are system security analysts and designers, enterprise system security architects, or IT systems forensics consultants and investigators.
Students are required to complete 126 semester credit hours of core courses and advanced courses as well as cooperative education. Core courses include a programming sequence, an ethics course, a computer networking and system administration sequence, and foundation courses in computer and network security. Advanced courses allow students to design the focus of their information security coursework.
Students complete five advanced security electives that expand students knowledge in one of several disciplines of security, including system security, network security, forensics, malware, secure software development, database and application security, security evaluation, or theory.
*Not all advanced courses are offered at RIT-Dubai. Other advanced courses are available through study-abroad or transfer options, which are subject to achieving additional respective requirements and approvals.
Cooperative education is a full-time paid work experience in the student’s field of study. The Computing Security curriculum requires the completion of 24 weeks of co-op employment typically completed during the summer of the second and third academic years. Cooperative education gives students the opportunity to apply in the workplace the knowledge and the skills they learn in the classroom, and bring to the classroom what they learn in the workplace to achieve a more well-rounded education.
At the workplace, students also gain valuable expertise in areas such as oral and written communications, business ethics and etiquette, and working in a team, which will allow them to undertake various career options and help them make long-term decisions.
The Bachelor of Science in Computing Security is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education - Higher Education Affairs and is licensed by the KHDA.