Cybersecurity Management Certificate

UMass Boston's fully online Cybersecurity Management Certificate integrates both technical and managerial skills in cybersecurity. It's designed for professionals who want to deepen their understanding of information systems and cybersecurity challenges, learn the latest cybersecurity techniques and methods, and add a certificate to their résumé. Develop your expertise in this subject area — including information security practices, network management for cybersecurity, cybersecurity risk management and auditing, cybersecurity and cloud computing, and forensics. You have the option to continue on for an additional two semesters to earn an MBA or Information Technology MS.

As cyber threats continue to increase, the U.S. faces a shortfall of cybersecurity professionals. Cybersecurity jobs have grown by more than 50% since 2015. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of growth for jobs in information and cybersecurity is projected at 32% from 2012–2028. The Cybersecurity Management Certificate will position you to become a leader in this fast-growing field.

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Tuition

• This program consists of four 3-credit courses, or 12 credits.
• Online tuition is $575 per credit.
• Associated fees include a $950 College of Management fee, assessed in fall and spring semesters.
• Total estimated cost to complete this program is $8,800 (includes College of Management fees).
• Other fees may apply. Request Info to connect with a program representative for further details about curriculum, including prerequisite coursework that may be waived.

Deadlines

• Applications to start in the fall semester are due June 1
• Applications to start in the spring semester are due October 1 (priority deadline) or December 1 (final deadline)

Application Checklist**

• Online application and fee
• Official transcripts (completed bachelor’s degree required)
• Submission of TOEFL or IELTS score (required for all students that submit undergraduate transcripts where the national language is not English. Minimum required score for TOEFL is 90 to be considered).
• Résumé (3-5 years of related work experience or a relevant bachelor's degree preferred)
• 1 letter of recommendation
• GMAT and GRE exams are not required for the graduate certificate program
• Statement of Intent. Please express in less than 1000 words:
  • Why are you interested in the graduate certificate in Cybersecurity Management? How will the Certificate enhance your career aspirations?
  • What is your experience in the cybersecurity field, and what problems and issues are you interested in exploring further?

**Please note the certificate does not meet eligibility requirements for issuance of an I-20.

Required Courses

• Information Security, Privacy and Regulatory Compliance (MSIS 613)
  Get a broad overview of the threats to the security of information systems, the responsibilities and basic tools for information security, and the levels of training and expertise needed in organizations to reach and maintain a state of acceptable security. You’ll cover topics including an introduction to confidentiality, integrity, and availability; authentication models and protection models; intrusion detection and response; operational security issues physical security issues; and personnel security. You’ll also study policy formation and enforcement, access controls and information flow, legal and social issues, identification and authentication in local and distributed system, classification and trust modeling, and risk assessment.
• Introduction to Network (MSIS 614)*
  Develop a managerial level of technical knowledge and terminology for data, voice, image, and video communications and computer networks to effectively communicate with technical, operational and management personnel in telecommunications. You’ll gain an understanding of the concepts, models, architectures, protocols, standards, and security for the design, implementation, and management of digital networks. You’ll apply data communications concepts to situations encountered in industry; learn general concepts and techniques of loc area networks (LAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), and wide area networks (WAN); and understand the technology of the Internet and the regulatory environment. Other topics introduced include network operating systems, e-commerce and associated web sites and practices, as well as middleware for wireless systems, multimedia, and conferencing.

Elective Courses (select two)

• Cybersecurity Risk Management and Auditing (MSIS 625)
  Learn about cybersecurity risk management and auditing concepts and practices. You’ll study the cybersecurity governance policies and practices, the risk management framework for cybersecurity threats to organizations, and the management of cybersecurity audit functions and procedures. The key objective of this course is to provide you with an understanding of the best practices in the cybersecurity risk management and control within contemporary organizations.
• Cloud Computing and Security (MSIS 628)
  Cloud computing involves delivery of computing services over the Internet. The ability to access and scale computing resources based on business need is an advantage to organizations of various sizes. As businesses move toward cloud computing, it is also necessary to understand the security aspects of cloud computing. This course provides you with an overview of cloud computing and security. You’ll learn about the different types of cloud services and uses of cloud computing. After gaining an understanding of cloud computing, the potential threats to cloud resources (apps, data etc.) and protection mechanisms are highlighted. Through hands-on exercises with leading cloud providers, you’ll address and apply policies, technologies and controls to protect cloud resources.
• Cybersecurity and Forensics (MSIS 629)
  In this course, you’ll learn how to conduct forensic investigation of digital devices. You’ll get have hands-on-experience on cyber forensics with a virtual machine. The course introduces EnCase forensic software, which is widely received in cybersecurity industry and a court of law. You’ll be prepared to manage organizational cybersecurity incidents. This course includes forensics tools, methods, and procedures used for investigation of computers; techniques of data recovery and evidence collection; protection of evidence; and cybercrime investigation techniques. It also includes analysis of forensic data and specialized diagnostic software used to retrieve data.

*Students can waive Introduction to Network (MSIS 614) if they have taken equivalent courses. 

At the end of this two-semester program, you’ll be awarded a graduate certificate in Cybersecurity Management. The certificate will demonstrate your expertise in the field on your résumé, as well as in interviews and workplace evaluations. This certificate will provide you with a thorough understanding of current cybersecurity techniques and methods, best practices on cybersecurity management, and the cutting-edge cybersecurity knowledge and skills needed to solve business problems by analyzing and choosing cybersecurity strategies for organizations. You can also continue on for an additional two semesters to earn an MBA or an Information Technology MS.