The integration of cyber systems in our daily lives, businesses, and governments has created a significant demand for cyber expertise. Lander's cybersecurity program prepares students for a career in this high demand field.
The first group of Lander University students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity graduated on May 1, 2024. To make classes more accessible for remote learners, several cybersecurity classes will be available online this fall.
"We now offer an online degree program in Cybersecurity with an emphasis on Political Science," said Dr. Farha Ali, chair of Lander’s Department of Mathematics and Computing. "This fall semester, we are offering two classes online and plan to add more courses in spring 2025.”
“The program educates and trains students for careers in technical and non-technical areas related to the field of cybersecurity,” explained Dr. Farha Ali.
“Students completing the core courses of this program will gain deep technical knowledge to develop and maintain cybersecurity solutions along with an understanding of non-technical areas including administrative, ethical, and legal aspects of cybersecurity.”
Dr. Ali said students who major in cybersecurity begin by learning programming, scripting, networking and computer system administration. They then learn about digital forensics and network forensics, learning how to know when hackers can exploit systems, and how to find and remedy those issues. They also learn about cybersecurity management – the compliance and policy side of things.
She said students choose one of two paths of emphasis. One is a computer information system emphasis, where they are trained on the technical side of cybersecurity, which is good for students who want to be penetration testers or develop programs. The other emphasis is in political science, focusing more on compliance and laws.
“Every time a new computer or device connects to a system, there’s a possibility of exploitation,” Dr. Ali said. “Computers are part of people’s everyday life, and someone needs to be able to keep innocent people protected and be able to find and stop malicious actors.”
To learn more about the cybersecurity program at Lander, visit www.lander.edu/cybersecurity-cis.