University launches online cybersecurity degree programs

University launches online cybersecurity degree programs

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing web-based crimes in the world. Millions of people worldwide, particularly Americans, are falling victim to internet predators, whose schemes can lead to loss of income, decreased credit and considerable stress.

Professionals who fight these types of crimes are in high demand. To address the growing need for these experts, the University of Maryland has launched several new online programs in cybersecurity. Bank Info Security reports that the programs were designed by Lieutenant General Harry Raduege, who chairs the Deloitte Center for Cyber Innovation and is a co-chair of the Commission on Cybersecurity for President Obama.

"My main motivation to develop the program is to create a workforce that can help protect us from ongoing threats - cyber espionage, identity theft, data theft - and help us track down cyber criminals and effectively respond to attacks and experiences on a daily basis," Raduege told the news source.

The online bachelors program requires students to take courses in computer forensics, cyber crime and cyber terrorism, as well as security issues in emerging technologies. Both online masters degree programs are in cybersecurity and cybersecurity policy. The security degree focuses on prevention, detection, countering and recovery from cyber incidents, while the policy program examines strategies for societal response to threats at the enterprise, national and global levels.

Students in the program participate in a weekly module in the form of a case study, which is posted by the instructor. Topics include how viruses, Trojan horses and worms work, what tools hackers use, and the role of ethics.

Recent research from the Sloan Consortium indicates approximately 4.6 million students were enrolled in at least one online course during the 2008-2009 academic year.

By Mark Danson