Online Master’s in Information Systems Security

In an IT security degree program, you’ll dive into a field that’s fueling growth across the information technology landscape. Today, virtually all businesses store data digitally, and threats to information security has sparked the need for more experts in cyber security and information assurance. Prepare to meet this demand when you earn an online master’s in Information Systems Security from University of the Cumberlands.

• What is Information Systems Security?
• What Careers Can I Do with a Degree in IT Security?
• Is a Degree in Cyber Security Worth It?
• Curriculum and Degree Requirements
• Tuition
• Admission Requirements
• Credit for Prior Learning
• Transfer Credit Policy
• Accreditation
• Faculty

What is Information Systems Security?

Information systems security, also known as INFOSEC, involves keeping data safe, confidential, and available for access. The field centers on protecting both computer information and communications data, such as telephone conversations. Since storing, processing, or moving data can present a risk to businesses and organizations, INFOSEC is critical to ensuring private information stays safe from unauthorized access.

The field of information systems security is often broken down into two areas:

• Cyber Security. Keeping IT systems safe is a large component of INFOSEC. Simply put, cyber security is the discipline of protecting computer systems and networks from threats—like malware, phishing attacks, and hackers. This is key to making sure sensitive business information like customer data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
• Information Assurance. This is the discipline of making sure data is accessible and won’t be lost in the event of an incident. A malicious attack isn’t the only type of event that puts business IT at risk. Natural disasters, computer glitches, or server malfunctions can also compromise data. To achieve information assurance, it’s important to take precautions like making off-site data backups and having a disaster recovery plan in place.

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What Careers Can I Do with a Degree in IT Security?

Earning an IT security degree may equip you with the skills needed to pursue an Information Security Analyst career path. Job opportunities in this occupation should grow 33 percent between 2021 and 2030—much faster than average. Security analysts keep businesses’ IT systems and critical data safe by:

• Monitoring for security breaches and investigating incidents
• Installing software like firewalls and data encryption programs
• Doing penetration testing to detect vulnerabilities before criminals find them
• Creating a disaster recovery plan in case of an emergency
• And much more

Security analysts must typically earn a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in information assurance or a related field. However, many earn a master’s degree in an area like information systems.

Knowledge of IT security also comes into play in many other IT career paths, including:

• Computer and Information Systems Manager
• IT Security Manager
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator
• Database Administrator

No matter which direction you plan to pursue, earning a master’s in Information Systems Security from University of the Cumberlands could help you build the skills you need to advance your career.

To learn about more careers, click here to view a career infographic. 

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Is a Degree in Cyber Security Worth It?

Earning a degree in cyber security or information systems security could be a step toward a career with critical impact. As cyberattacks increase in frequency, information security continues to be a growing concern for businesses. This is especially true for industries that revolve around sensitive data—like banks and healthcare organizations. If you aspire to learn in-demand skills, help businesses conquer security threats, and take your career further, earning a degree in cyber security could be well worth it.

By earning a cyber security degree such as UC’s Master of Science in Information Systems Security, you could:

• Boost your salary. Information security analysts earned a median annual salary of $102,600 in 2021. The 2021 median annual salary for computer and information technology careers in general was $97,430. That’s about twice the median salary for all other occupations. 
• Take your career in a new direction. If you’re ready to go further in the IT field, earning your master’s in Information Systems Security could prepare you to advance your current career, lead your business’s IT security strategy, or pursue a new professional challenge. 
• Learn in a flexible format. University of the Cumberlands’ master’s in Information Systems Security program can be earned online, offering maximum convenience. The program is designed for working students and offers the same high quality as a traditional campus program.
   

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Curriculum and Degree Requirements

Our program is intended for those who have earned their baccalaureate degree and already work in the information technology field. If you’re interested in continuing your education and enhancing your credentials, you’ll find that UC’s online information systems security degree program is built to help you achieve your goals. You’ll learn how to prevent or mitigate data loss by:

• Developing and implementing security policies
• Managing compliance with federal regulations for information security
• Creating disaster prevention and recovery plans
• Finding and preventing problems related to hardware, software, and networks
• Achieving availability, integrity, and confidentiality of information
• Implementing physical security measures to restrict access
• And much more

Our curriculum features 31 credit hours of coursework, including:

• Access Control
• Telecommunications and Network Security
• Cryptography
• Application Security
• Security Architecture and Design
• Operations Security

The program is mapped directly to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Security Agency (NSA) cyber security education standards. It also aligns with the (ISC)2 CISSP Common Body of Knowledge. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is an industry-leading professional certification for cyber security experts such as security practitioners, managers, and executives. Earning a Master of Science in Information Security Systems will equip you to take the CISSP certification exam. You’ll also graduate ready to pursue a new career path in INFOSEC or apply the latest information assurance and cyber security principles in your current role.

University of the Cumberlands has been named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). There are just over 200 universities nationwide with CAE-CD designation, and only two other universities in Kentucky included in this elite group.

Click here for Course Details 

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Tuition

Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Click here to view tuition rates and fees.

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Admission Requirements

Admission to our University is very competitive as well as selective and we review each application by the same standards.

• Application and Application fee
• A completed Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Submit official transcripts from all applicable colleges/universities attended; must be received directly from the issuing college or university.
• A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale
• Any international course work completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
  Approved Evaluation Firms are:
  • World Education Services (WES)
  • Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
  • International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
  • Educational Perspectives (EP)
  • SpanTran
• Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are: 
  • Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550 
  • Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79 
  • IELTS - 6
  • Duolingo - 100

All admissions materials should be submitted to:
University of the Cumberlands
Graduate & Online Admissions
649 S. 10th Street
Williamsburg, KY 40769

Phone: 606.539.4390
Tollfree: 800.343.1609
Email: gradadm@ucumberlands.edu

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Credit for Prior Learning

University of the Cumberlands recognizes that students entering or returning to college bring with them a wide variety of prior learning experiences through work, travel, volunteering, activities in professional organizations, or self-study. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows qualified students to earn credit for college-level learning outside of the classroom.

The School of Computer and Information Sciences will accept the following certifications as replacements for the corresponding course. 

Click here to view certifications. 

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Transfer Credit Policy

A maximum of nine semester hours of credit may be transferred from an accredited graduate institution. Transfer credits must be in courses equivalent to courses in the program. All transfer credits must be approved by the Program Director and the Registrar and have been earned within the last five years. Grades for any transfer credits accepted into the program do not count in the program GPA.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT BASED ON EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES IN THE ARMED FORCES
The School of Computer Information and Technology will accept transfer credit based up on the American Council on Education’s Military Guide credit recommendations for formal courses and occupations offered by all branches of the military. Credits must be approved by the University Registrar and the Program Director. Here is the official University policy regarding transfer credit related to military service.

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Accreditation

Click here to view University of the Cumberlands' accreditation information.

 

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Faculty

Click here to view a list of the information technology faculty. 

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