Cybersecurity

Program Overview

Just as computing technology has become an integral part of many aspects of our lives, the need to secure the operation of that technology has become critical. The importance of secure computational operations has had significant impacts in social, commercial, financial, industrial, and political realms, and will continue to grow as the right to privacy is tested.

In NJ and the surrounding Philadelphia and New York metro areas, the demand is even greater, with over 27,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions. On a national level, cybersecurity has been recognized as a critical component of Homeland Security, and the Senate Appropriations committee funded cybersecurity efforts above the President’s request for FY 2019. Students pursuing a B.S. in Cybersecurity will bring a powerful combination of a traditional liberal arts education with foundational knowledge and technical training needed to excel in the cybersecurity field. A Minor in Cybersecurity is also available.

Curriculum Overview

Rider students in this program will benefit from a curriculum aligned with the latest national guidelines, adaptable to meet the evolving demands of industry and research. Cybersecurity is a nascent academic affair, although it has been in existence for nearly as long as computers. Thus, any cybersecurity curriculum should be founded in basic principles: that the computers, including data, software, systems, and networks, as well as the people and organizations using the machines, are kept secure and operational. The courses comprising the major are foundational, with the concentrations offering breadth and expertise in a given aspect of cybersecurity.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Cybersecurity major will be able to:

Graduate with a broad understanding of the nature of cybercrime and cybersecurity.
Graduate with a deep understanding of security at multiple levels.
Graduate with the ability to collaborate and apply their knowledge to real-world problems.
Graduate with a passion for lifelong learning, professional responsibility to uphold ethical behavior.

Degrees Offered:

B.S. in Cybersecurity
Minor in Cybersecurity

Contact

John Bochanski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chairperson
Department of Computer Science and Physics
School of Science, Technology and Mathematics
Hennessy Science and Technology Center 204B
609-896-5184
jbochanski@rider.edu

Program Website: Cybersecurity
Associated Department: Department of Computer Science and Physics

Related programs:

Cybersecurity Program Requirements

(57 credits)

Students must select either the Technical Track or the Policy Track.

Notes:

Majors must complete either MTH 105 or MTH 210 to fulfill their mathematics core requirement.
A grade of 'C' or better is required in all 100-level CSC or CYB courses.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Cybersecurity Core Courses:		12
CYB 105	Introduction to Cybersecurity
CYB 110	Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism
CYB 130	IT Fundamentals
CSC 150	Cyber Ethics and Societal Impact
Select either the Technical Track or the Policy Track		36
Technical Track:
Required Courses:
CSC 110	Computer Science I
CSC 120	Computer Science II
CSC 130	Data Structures and Algorithms
CSC 140	Discrete Structures
CYB 200	Operating Systems & Cybersecurity
CYB 240	Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
CSC 250	Software Security Engineering
CYB 260	Network Defenses and Countermeasures
CIS 270	Computer Networking
CYB 300	Developing & Deploying Cybersecurity Programs
CYB 320	Cyber Forensics
CSC 340	Cybersecurity Essentials
Elective Courses		9
Select two of the following Policy courses:
HLS 203/POL 203	Homeland Security
HLS 204/POL 204	Development and Structure of the US Intelligence Community
SOC 210	Criminal Investigation
LAW 310	Cyberspace Law and Policy
POL 351/HLS 351	Critical Views of Global Security
Select one of the following Technical courses: ¹
CSC 320	Human-Computer Interaction
CSC 350	Analysis of Algorithms
CSC 380	Parallel and Distributed Systems
Policy Track
Required Courses:
SOC 150	Introduction to Forensics
HLS 203/POL 203	Homeland Security
HLS 204/POL 204	Development and Structure of the US Intelligence Community
SOC 210	Criminal Investigation
SOC 119	Introduction to Criminal Justice: Police, Courts, Corrections
POL 301	Civil Liberties in the U.S.
HLS 205	Spies, Double Agents, and Moles: The World of Counterintelligence
or HLS 304/POL 304	Political Behavior: Fear, Risk and Crisis
HLS 220/POL 220	Terrorism & Counter Terrorism
LAW 310	Cyberspace Law and Policy
POL 327	Contemporary Issues in American Public Policy
SOC 343	Policing and Counter Terrorism
POL 351/HLS 351	Critical Views of Global Security
Elective Courses		9
Select two of the following Technical courses: ¹
CSC 105	Fundamentals of Computer Science
CSC 110	Computer Science I
CSC 120	Computer Science II
CSC 140	Discrete Structures
CYB 200	Operating Systems & Cybersecurity
CYB 240	Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
CYB 320	Cyber Forensics
Select one of the following Policy courses:
HLS 341	Cybersecurity Policy: Hacktivism and Cyberviolence
HLS 334	Cyber Strategy
Electives for either Track
CYB 490	Cybersecurity Independent Study and Research
CSC 491	Internship in Computer Science
Total Credits		57

NOTE: Cybersecurity majors must also complete either MTH 105 or MTH 210 to fulfill their mathematics core requirement.

¹

Other technical electives are available for Cybersecurity B.S. undergraduates pursuing the 4+1 M.S.:

CYBR 500 Beyond Code: Cybersecurity in Context
CYBR 510 Cryptogragphy for Cybersecurity
CYBR 520 Managing Cyber Risks
CYBR 530 Mobile Computing & Wireless Security

Cybersecurity Minor Requirements

(21 credits)

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses		12
CYB 105	Introduction to Cybersecurity
CYB 110	Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism
CSC 150	Cyber Ethics and Societal Impact
CYB 130	IT Fundamentals
Select at least three of the following courses:		9
CSC 105	Fundamentals of Computer Science
CSC 110	Computer Science I
CSC 120	Computer Science II
CSC 130	Data Structures and Algorithms
CYB 200	Operating Systems & Cybersecurity
CYB 240	Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
CYB 260	Network Defenses and Countermeasures
CYB 300	Developing & Deploying Cybersecurity Programs
CYB 320	Cyber Forensics
CSC 340	Cybersecurity Essentials
CIS 270	Computer Networking
CIS 319	Computer Forensics
Total Credits		21

Academic Plan of Study

The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.

Technical Track

Policy Track

Cybersecurity Technical Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Fall Semester		Credits
CYB 105	Introduction to Cybersecurity	3
CSC 110	Computer Science I	3
MTH 105 or MTH 210	Algebra and Trigonometry or Calculus I	4
CMP 120	Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric	3
HIS 150	World History to 1500	3
	Semester Credit Hours	16
Spring Semester
CYB 110	Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism	3
CSC 120	Computer Science II	3
CSC 150	Cyber Ethics and Societal Impact	3
CMP 125	Seminar in Writing and Research	3
HIS 151	World History Since 1500	3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Year 2
Fall Semester
CYB 130	IT Fundamentals	3
CSC 140	Discrete Structures	3
Cybersecurity Policy Elective		3
Social Perspectives Course		3
Aesthetic Perspectives: Literature		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring Semester
CYB 200	Operating Systems & Cybersecurity	3
CIS 270	Computer Networking	3
Social Perspectives Course		3
Two Elective Courses ¹		6
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Year 3
Fall Semester
CYB 240	Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing	3
CYB 260	Network Defenses and Countermeasures	3
CSC 130	Data Structures and Algorithms	3
Foreign Language 1 of 2		3
Philosophical Perspectives Course		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring Semester
CSC 250	Software Security Engineering	3
CSC 340	Cybersecurity Essentials	3
Cybersecurity Policy Elective		3
Foreign Language 2 of 2		3
Aesthetic Perspectives: Fine Arts		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Year 4
Fall Semester
CYB 300	Developing & Deploying Cybersecurity Programs	3
Cybersecurity Technical Elective		3
Three Elective Courses ¹		9
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring Semester
CSC 350	Analysis of Algorithms	3
Four Elective Courses ¹		12
	Semester Credit Hours	15
	Total Credit Hours for Graduation	121

¹: Please note that elective credits may be used to complete requirements in a second major or a minor.

Cybersecurity Policy Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Fall Semester		Credits
CYB 105	Introduction to Cybersecurity	3
CSC 110	Computer Science I	3
MTH 105 or MTH 210	Algebra and Trigonometry or Calculus I	4
CMP 120	Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric	3
HIS 150	World History to 1500	3
	Semester Credit Hours	16
Spring Semester
CYB 110	Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism	3
CSC 150	Cyber Ethics and Societal Impact	3
SOC 150	Introduction to Forensics	3
CMP 125	Seminar in Writing and Research	3
HIS 151	World History Since 1500	3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Year 2
Fall Semester
SOC 119	Introduction to Criminal Justice: Police, Courts, Corrections	3
HLS 203	Homeland Security	3
Cybersecurity Technical Elective		3
Social Perspectives Course		3
Aesthetic Perspectives: Literature		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring Semester
HLS 204	Development and Structure of the US Intelligence Community	3
SOC 210	Criminal Investigation	3
Social Perspectives Course		3
Two Elective Courses ¹		6
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Year 3
Fall Semester
POL 301	Civil Liberties in the U.S.	3
HLS 304 or HLS 205	Political Behavior: Fear, Risk and Crisis or Spies, Double Agents, and Moles: The World of Counterintelligence	3
Foreign Language 1 of 2		3
Philosophical Perspectives Course		3
Elective Course ¹		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring Semester
HLS 220	Terrorism & Counter Terrorism	3
LAW 310	Cyberspace Law and Policy	3
Cybersecurity Technical Elective		3
Foreign Language 2 0f 2		3
Aesthetic Perspectives: Fine Arts		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Year 4
Fall Semester
POL 327	Contemporary Issues in American Public Policy	3
Cybersecurity Policy Elective		3
Three Elective Courses ¹		9
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring Semester
SOC 343	Policing and Counter Terrorism	3
POL 351	Critical Views of Global Security	3
Three Elective Courses ¹		9
	Semester Credit Hours	15
	Total Credit Hours for Graduation	121

¹: Please note that elective credits may be used to complete requirements in a second major or a minor.

Courses and Descriptions

CYB 105 Introduction to Cybersecurity 3 Credits

Introduction to Cybersecurity introduces students to this interdisciplinary field by exploring the technology, policies, and processes that enable assured computer operations. Students will be introduced to recent developments in cybercrime such as phishing, ransomware, viruses, and worms. Students will also learn about the policy and legislation regarding privacy, terrorism, hacktivism, and the dark web. Students will also be introduced to programming and networking concepts.

CYB 110 Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism 3 Credits

This course explores the world of cybercrime and cyber terrorism. Students will learn about the social and legal aspects of cybercrime and the technical tools that enable the investigation of these acts. They will discuss and review several definitions and types of cybercrime, and the roles of private sectors and law enforcement in detecting, investigating and preventing these acts.

CYB 130 IT Fundamentals 3 Credits

IT Fundamentals is designed to immerse students in the essentials of computer hardware and software. The IT Fundamentals course provides students with principles of data and technology that frame and define cybersecurity and insight into the importance of cybersecurity and the integral role of cybersecurity professionals. Students will explore foundational cybersecurity principles, security architecture, risk management, attacks, incidents, and emerging IT and IS technologies.

CYB 200 Operating Systems & Cybersecurity 3 Credits

This course focuses on the fundamental properties of three major operating systems (Linux, MacOS, and Windows). The course covers file systems, command line interfaces, and shell scripting. Students will learn how to manage user groups while focusing on security. They will also be introduced to SQL database architecture.

Prerequisite(s): CYB 130.

CYB 240 Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing 3 Credits

This course introduces students to the methods of penetration testing and hacking as method of locating and successfully exploiting computer systems for the purpose of making computer systems more secure. This process includes probing for vulnerabilities as well as providing proof of concept attacks to demonstrate the vulnerabilities are real and generating specific and effective recommendations for addressing and fixing security issues discovered vulnerability assessments and penetration.

Prerequisite(s): (CYB 200 or CSC 240) and CIS 270.

CYB 260 Network Defenses and Countermeasures 3 Credits

This course in network defenses and countermeasures prepares students to defend networks against attacks by implementing proactive protection measures and by responding to active and potential threats. It covers multiple techniques for network defense, including firewalls, intrusion-detection systems, VPNs, encryption, and system hardening.

Prerequisite(s): CYB 240.

CYB 300 Developing & Deploying Cybersecurity Programs 3 Credits

In Developing and Deploying Cybersecurity Programs, students will learn how to create cybersecurity policies, standards, guidelines and plans, and the differences between them. Students will learn how threats develop, and how threat actors launch attacks on their targets. The material in this course conforms to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the ISO/IEC 27000-series standards.

Prerequisite(s): CIS 270.

CYB 320 Cyber Forensics 3 Credits

This course covers the technical and legal aspects of cyber forensics, including general forensic procedures, electronic discovery, imaging, hashing, file recovery, mismatched file types, and preserving the chain of evidence. Students will perform detailed cyber forensic analyses on compromised system images, using both open-source and court-approved digital forensic software tools to conduct forensic examinations, write analytical reports, and practice mock courtroom presentations.

Prerequisite(s): CYB 200.

CYB 490 Cybersecurity Independent Study and Research 3 Credits

Immerses the student in guided research. The student learns to organize material, use the literature, obtain reproducible data, and synthesize the results of the study. If possible, the student will publish the results or present them at a scientific meeting.

CYB 491 Internship in Cybersecurity 1-4 Credits

A supervised research experience in an approved organization where qualified students gain real-world knowledge and utilize their academic training in a professional environment. Placement may be in private, public, non-profit, or governmental organizations under the guidance of a mentor. The mentor and student will have regular consultation with the departmental internship coordinator to assess the student’s progress. Normally, 40 hours of internship per credit is required. The grade for the course will be determined by the student’s overall performance in their research work, a research paper documenting their work with their internship mentor and an oral or poster presentation at the end of the semester. Available for juniors and seniors.

Prerequisite(s): 2.5 GPA and Permission of Dept. Chair/Program Director.