DIGITAL FORENSICS AND CYBER SECURITY PROGRAM

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DIGITAL FORENSICS AND CYBER SECURITY MINORThose students who prefer to specialize in Digital Forensics and Cyber Security have an opportunity to minor in the program. Methodist University also offers a 21-semester hour minor that will complement any undergraduate degree including (but not limited to) justice studies, computer science, business administration, accounting, mathematics, and education.

Required courses for the Digital Forensics and Cyber Security minor include: JUS 2430, JUS 2450, JUS 2500, JUS 2510, JUS 2550, JUS 3400 and JUS 3600.

HOW WILL THIS HELP ME FIND A CAREER?The demand for college-trained individuals in the cyber security and digital forensics fields is higher than ever. Since digital forensics and cyber security are technology specializations that are needed for any industry, Methodist University’s course of study will prepare students to pursue a variety of IT career specialties that include, digital forensics, cyber security, incident response, IT governance, auditing and compliance, penetration testing, vulnerability scanning/detection and system/network management. In addition, courses within Methodist University’s Digital Forensics and cyber security program are tied to industry certification exam objectives that help prepare students to sit for highly recognized certification such as ISC2 SSCP and EC-Council’s C|EH. Students who possess certifications and a degree are more highly sought after in the employment market.

The journey for a Methodist University Digital Forensics and Cyber Security graduate can lead to success. Graduates can move forward and be accepted to prestigious graduate programs or students can find rewarding careers in the following areas:

u Local, state and federal agenciesu School and university systemsu Hospitals and medical research facilitiesu Telecommunicationsu Emergency management u Banking and financialu Defense industrial baseu Energy, water, nuclear and waste managementu Food and agricultureu Transportation

WHERE DO I START?The most common route for those interested in the Digital Forensics and Cyber Security Program is to sign up for the JUS 2430 Introduction to Cybercrime. This class provides a basic understanding of the area of cybercrime, and serves as an introduction to courses within the minor.

CAREER OUTLOOKDemand for information security analysts is expected to be very high. Cyber attacks have grown in frequency and sophistication over the last few years, and many organizations are behind in their ability to detect these attacks. Analysts will be needed to come up with innovative solutions to prevent attackers from stealing critical information or creating havoc on computer networks.

In 2015, Frost and Sullivan conducted a study for ISC2 that assessed the Global Information Security Workforce. They estimated the current number of employed security professionals was around 2.25 million; a global increase of 195,000 security professionals is expected by 2016, and by 2020 an additional 1.5 million security professionals will be needed to fill the widening gap and to combat the escalating cyber threat landscape. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects that the employment outlook for Information Security related occupations is expected to grow 37 percent from 2012 to 2022.

SABRINA KONCABAProgram Director, Digital Forensics and Cyber Security

skoncaba@methodist.edu 910.630.7516

KARLA WEINBRENNERInstructor, Digital Forensics and Cyber Security

kweinbrenner@methodist.edu910.480.8492

CONTACT INFO

Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability for other-wise qualified persons in the administration of its admissions, educational policies, scholarships, loan programs, athletics, employment, or any other university-sponsored or advertised program.

Design 1.0

WHAT IS DIGITAL FORENSICS AND CYBER SECURITY?Digital Forensics and Cyber Security are two specializations within the Information Technology field that focus on the protection, identification, and prevention of various types of attacks against mobile and computer networks as well as using digital evidence that has been collected, analyzed and presented to law enforcement personnel to prosecute criminals or help attorneys in civil litigation.

In response to the need for trained information security professionals and the growing number and sophistication of cyber attacks against our nation’s businesses, defense industrial base, government and critical infrastructure, Methodist University developed the Digital Forensics and Cyber Security program.

THE PROGRAMMethodist University's Justice Studies Digital Forensics and Cyber Security major is a 36 semester hour program that will prepare students for a career in the ever-growing digital forensics and cyber security field. The prevalence of computers and electronic devices in society has highlighted a need for those trained in digital evidence collection as well as those who can identify, mitigate, protect and respond to the wide variety of cyber attacks. This program is designed to give students a leg-up from the average undergraduate candidate, providing hands-on experience with network security and electronic evidence collection. Students who complete Methodist University’s program requirements for a major in digital forensics and cyber security will be qualified to enter private and public sector occupations focused on preventing, detecting and mitigating cyber attacks as well as gathering digital evidence and electronic crime investigations.

THE CURRICULUMThe Bachelor of Science in Digital Forensics and Cyber Security is designed to provide graduates with a holistic view of information security from securing desktop systems to investigating digital intrusions and reporting findings to the proper authorities and management. This program consists of hands-on exercises that help to reinforce curriculum content taught in the required courses. Students receive information security content and skills in the following areas:

u Operating systemsu Networking conceptsu Penetration testingu Vulnerability scanningu Incident responseu IT governance and policy developmentu Digital forensicsu Network forensicsu Virtualizationu Basic scripting

THE COURSEWORKRequired Non-Digital Forensics and Cyber Security Courses

u CSC 1000 | Introduction to Computersu JUS 2410 | Introduction to Criminal Justiceu JUS 3090 | Criminologyu JUS 3890 | Criminal Evidence and Procedureu JUS 3900 | Victimologyu JUS 4500 | Seminar in Criminal Justice

Note: Students must also complete university core requirements as outlined in the catalogue for the year they entered Methodist University or the catalogue they have chosen.

Required Digital Forensics and Cyber Security Courses

u JUS 2430 | Introduction to Cybercrimeu JUS 2450 | Cybercrime Law and Ethicsu JUS 2470 | Operating Systems and Programming Conceptsu JUS 2500 | Digital Crime Investigationu JUS 2510 | Networking Conceptsu JUS 2550 | Hardening The Enterprise Networku JUS 2650 | Cyber Threats and Counterintelligenceu JUS 3400 | Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Scanningu JUS 3600 | Basic Data Recoveryu JUS 4050 | Incident Response and Network Forensicsu JUS 4450 | Social Media and Cloud Securityu JUS 4650 | Mobile Device Forensics