Information and Cybersecurity Operations, Bachelor of Science
Program available starting with the November 2024 term.
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Information and Cybersecurity Operations degree covers all aspects of the use of computers and information systems in today's organizations, including operating systems, software programs, networking, and security. Students can choose from the Cloud Computing Track, the Cybersecurity Track, Digital Forensics Technology Track, IT Project Management Track or a General Track. These employer-driven, hands-on, interactive educational programs equip students with cyber and networking skills required for positions in a wide range of companies.
Program Outcomes
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Information and Cybersecurity Operations program develop planning, design, implementation, and support skills in operating systems, networking, software programs, and security. Students also develop additional focused skills based on which track the student pursues. Students learn principles of excellent technical and customer service skills in order to assist clients with technical issues.
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Information and Cybersecurity Operations, graduates will be able to:
- Apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to analyze and solve a complex computing problem
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts
- Make informed judgments in computing practice based on ethics, law, regulatory environment, and standards of the profession
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team to engage in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline
- Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats
For additional information about the program, please see http://www.ecpi.edu/technology/?intcmp=technology-btn. For the Student Consumer Information, please see https://www.ecpi.edu/student-consumer-services which provides additional information on careers, success, cost, and financing for this program. For information on the University Completion and Graduation Rates, please see About ECPI University on the ECPI website.
About Information and Cybersecurity Operations
Graduates of an Information and Cybersecurity Operations degree program have many career options. They often have career paths that lead them into IT security management positions, including Information Security Director or Chief Information Security Officer. They design and implement computer security systems that are vital to any modern computer network. They develop and test security plans to ensure a secure work environment for all employees in a company. Graduates also may work as security analysts, network architects, or administrators who design, implement, and maintain computer networks and systems which are the backbone to any company IT infrastructure.
Certain positions may require background checks, drug screening, and/or security clearances, depending on the position and industry.
Some entry-level job titles for a Bachelor of Science in Information and Cybersecurity Operations graduate include Data Center Engineer, Information Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, Network Security Engineer, Digital Forensics Analyst, and Systems Administrator. Cybersecurity graduates are required in many industries, so employment can be expected in most any business, government, or military setting.
Recommended Certifications
Certifications are not required for completion of this program; however, ECPI encourages students to obtain all appropriate certifications to increase potential job opportunities. ECPI provides students in this program with vouchers which allow them to take certification exams at a greatly reduced cost. Available certifications for this program include CompTIA IT fundamentals, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Cloud+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+, CompTIA Security+, AWS cloud practitioner, CISCO CCNA and EC-Council CEH.
Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Option
To be successful in the IT field today, the industry requires that graduates have a degree, certifications, and work experience. The Apprenticeship Option for the Cybersecurity Track in the BS in Information and Cybersecurity Operations is intended for students with limited or no in-fieldwork experience. The Program Director determines whether a student's education is best served through the Apprenticeship Option. If that is determined to be the case, then the Apprenticeship Option is considered required for graduation from the Information and Cybersecurity Operations program. To be considered, a student must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a 90% or higher attendance rate, and be a full-time student. Current students in the Information and Cybersecurity Operation program in their first semester are eligible to apply for the apprenticeship option.
- No additional credit is earned. Each apprenticeship in this option must be approved by the faculty course manager in advance of participation. Apprenticeships are pass/fail.
- Apprenticeships are work experiences that may include consultancy-type projects and/or applied research that solves problems.
- Apprenticeships are work experiences designed to apply the material learned in class. The Apprenticeship Option is open to domestic students only. Students must maintain full-time student status while participating in apprenticeship courses. If selected, students must remain an active student at ECPI University during the apprenticeship and will be assigned a mentor with whom they will work throughout the apprenticeship. The program consists of up to six semesters of apprenticeship courses.
- Students enter the Apprenticeship Option on a probationary status and will be evaluated after the completion of 500 hours to determine if the apprentice will continue in the program. After the probationary period, students will be evaluated every 500 hours.
Program Outline
To receive the Bachelor of Science in Information and Cybersecurity Operations, students must earn 120 semester credit hours or 121 semester credits for the Digital Forensics Technology Track. The program requires a minimum of 8 semesters, which is equivalent to 30 months or 120 weeks of instruction. The program requirements are as follows:
Program Requirements
Core Curriculum
65 semester credit hours
| CST120 | Computer Configuration I | 3 |
| CST160 | Introduction to Networking | 3 |
| CST200 | Linux Administration | 3 |
| CYB120 | Introduction to Python Programming | 3 |
| CYB120L | Introduction to Python Programming Lab | 1 |
| CYB200 | Network Protocols and Services | 3 |
| CYB220 | Introduction to Routing and Switching | 3 |
| CYB220L | Introduction to Routing and Switching Lab | 1 |
| CYB240 | Windows Client and Server | 3 |
| CYB240L | Windows Client and Server Lab | 1 |
| CYB250 | Principles of Cybersecurity | 3 |
| CYB260 | Introduction to Cloud Solutions | 3 |
| CYB260L | Introduction to Cloud Solutions Lab | 1 |
| CYB280 | Microsoft 365 Administration | 3 |
| CYB300 | Advanced Cybersecurity | 3 |
| CYB300L | Advanced Cybersecurity Lab | 1 |
| CYB310 | Introduction to Data Handling | 3 |
| CYB320 | Intermediate Routing and Switching | 3 |
| CYB330L | Network Routing and Switching Lab | 1 |
| CYB340 | Advanced Linux Administration | 3 |
| CYB340L | Advanced Linux Administration Lab | 1 |
| CYB350 | Introduction to DevOps and Project Management | 3 |
| CYB360 | Advanced Windows Server | 3 |
| CYB360L | Advanced Windows Server Lab | 1 |
| CYB380 | Network Scripting | 3 |
| CYB440 | AI/Machine Learning | 3 |
| ***ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: | |
| CYB490 | Information and Cybersecurity Externship | 3 |
| OR | |
| CYB495 | Information and Cybersecurity Capstone | 3 |
Arts and Sciences*
31 semester credit hours
| CAP480 | Arts and Sciences Capstone | 3 |
| COM115 | Principles of Communication | 3 |
| ENG110 | College Composition | 3 |
| ENG120 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| HUM205 | Culture and Diversity: Exploring the Humanities | 3 |
| MTH131 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MTH140 | Statistics | 3 |
| PSY105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY220 | Positive Psychology | 3 |
| ***ONE LECTURE COURSE AND CORRESPONDING LAB FROM THE FOLLOWING: | |
| PHY120 | Physics | 3 |
| PHY120L | Physics Lab | 1 |
| OR | |
| BIO122 | Environmental Biology | 3 |
| BIO122L | Environmental Biology Lab | 1 |
*For allowable substitutions of arts and sciences courses, see the Arts & Sciences Department page.
Self-Integration
10 semester credit hours
| CST100 | Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| CST140 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 |
| COR191 | Career Orientation | 1 |
| FOR110 | Essentials for Success | 3 |
Cybersecurity Track
14 semester credit hours
| CYB400 | Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| CYB400L | Ethical Hacking Lab | 1 |
| CYB410 | Ethical Hacking II | 3 |
| CYB430 | Advanced Defense and Countermeasures | 3 |
| CYB430L | Advanced Defense and Countermeasures Lab | 1 |
| CYB450 | AWS Academy Cloud Foundations | 3 |
Apprenticeship Option
0 semester credit hours
| APP491 | Cybersecurity Apprenticeship I | 0 |
| APP492 | Cybersecurity Apprenticeship II | 0 |
| APP493 | Cybersecurity Apprenticeship III | 0 |
| APP494 | Cybersecurity Apprenticeship IV | 0 |
| APP495 | Cybersecurity Apprenticeship V | 0 |
| APP496 | Cybersecurity Apprenticeship VI | 0 |
Cloud Computing Track
14 semester credit hours
| CYB400 | Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| CYB400L | Ethical Hacking Lab | 1 |
| CYB420 | Network Virtualization Fundamentals | 3 |
| CYB420L | Network Virtualization Fundamentals Lab | 1 |
| CYB450 | AWS Academy Cloud Foundations | 3 |
| CYB460 | Kubernetes in Cloud Security | 3 |
Digital Forensics Technology Track
15 semester credit hours
| CJ106 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ125 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| CJ200 | Investigations | 3 |
| CJ310 | Digital Forensic Analysis | 3 |
| CJ315 | Mobile Device Forensics | 3 |
IT Project Management Track
14 semester credit hours
| ACC312 | Accounting for Business Decisions | 3 |
| BUS121 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUS328 | Business Process Improvement | 3 |
| BUS328L | Business Process Improvement Lab | 1 |
| PMT472 | Applied Project Management | 3 |
| PMT472L | Applied Project Management Lab | 1 |
General Track
14 semester credit hours from the following courses:
| ACC312 | Accounting for Business Decisions | 3 |
| BUS121 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUS328 | Business Process Improvement | 3 |
| BUS328L | Business Process Improvement Lab | 1 |
| CJ106 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ125 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| CJ200 | Investigations | 3 |
| CJ310 | Digital Forensic Analysis | 3 |
| CJ315 | Mobile Device Forensics | 3 |
| CYB400 | Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| CYB400L | Ethical Hacking Lab | 1 |
| CYB410 | Ethical Hacking II | 3 |
| CYB420 | Network Virtualization Fundamentals | 3 |
| CYB420L | Network Virtualization Fundamentals Lab | 1 |
| CYB430 | Advanced Defense and Countermeasures | 3 |
| CYB430L | Advanced Defense and Countermeasures Lab | 1 |
| CYB450 | AWS Academy Cloud Foundations | 3 |
| CYB460 | Kubernetes in Cloud Security | 3 |
| CYB491 | Information and Cybersecurity Externship I | 1 |
| CYB492 | Information and Cybersecurity Externship II | 1 |
| CYB493 | Information and Cybersecurity Externship III | 1 |
| PMT472 | Applied Project Management | 3 |
| PMT472L | Applied Project Management Lab | 1 |