B.S. in Cybersecurity

Radford University recently launched a bachelor of science in Cybersecurity, designed to prepare students to meet the anticipated demand for 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals by 2023. The B.S. in Cybersecurity is the first at a four year public institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Cyber-attacks are one of the most critical threats facing the nation and the Commonwealth of Virginia. These attacks cost organizations an average of $11.7 million dollars every year and threaten national security.[1] According to the Department of Homeland Security, “Our daily life, economic vitality and national security depend on a stable, safe and resilient cyberspace.”[2]

Recent prominent attacks, including the attack on Target’s systems,[3] identity theft from the Office of Personal Management (OPM),[4] and the Dyn webcam attacks,[5] demonstrate that all computing devices are vulnerable to attacks including:

• Traditional PCs and workstations
• Voting machines and baby monitors
• Corporate and home networks

Security professionals need a wide range of knowledge and skills encompassing:

• Programming, networking, and operating systems
• Complex applications including database management systems
• Distributed computing infrastructure, cloud computing, and embedded computing devices that drive Internet of Things (IoT)

Graduates are well prepared to design, implement, deploy and administer technological solutions to prevent and defend against cyber-attacks. Students learn to:

• Think creatively and critically in performing risk assessment, analyzing the security of computer infrastructure and implementing solutions
• Master the tools to handle cyber-attacks and develop a business case for security