RIT launches computer security program

Chances are you’ve been directly affected by a computer virus. The impact of viruses transmitted via the Internet ranges from inconvenient to extremely damaging, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to computing security. Non-existing or underdeveloped computer security measures can have a dramatic impact on our society’s economic infrastructure.

GCCIS faculty members Luther Troell, left, Stephanie Ludi and Hans-Peter Bischof participated in a month-long training session at Carnegie Mellon University that helped the college refine its proposed computer security curriculum.

In response to this emerging technological area, the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences is preparing a new master’s degree program in computing security and information assurance. The program will consist of a half dozen core courses dealing with technical, business, ethical and administrative aspects of security. Additionally, areas such as risk management and the cost of security will be analyzed.

While similar programs in computer security already exist at a handful of universities, the GCCIS program will differ by focusing on the complete spectrum of computing.

“Our program is unique in that it will be offered at the college level and utilize faculty from the computer science, software engineering and information technology departments,” explains Jorge Díaz-Herrera, GCCIS dean. “The cross-disciplinary nature of the program will qualify graduates for a wide range of computer security related careers in both the private and public sectors.”

To better hone the curriculum, three members of the GCCIS faculty recently took part in a month-long training session. Hans-Peter Bischof, associate professor of computer science; Stephanie Ludi, assistant professor of software engineering; and Luther Troell, associate professor of information technology, traveled to Carnegie Mellon University to present the college’s plan to a diverse group of experts. The resulting exchange of ideas offered some useful feedback.

“Initially, our curriculum lacked certain non-technical aspects,” says Bischof. “As a result of that input, we’ve added elements relating to policy writing, international law, and management and leadership.”

To help round out the program, the College of Liberal Arts has agreed to develop a class in security law, ethics and policy. The class, which will be incorporated into the core curriculum, will examine ethical issues related to computing security and offer a general understanding of related laws established at both municipal and international levels.

According to Roger Gaborski, GCCIS associate dean for graduate programs and research, protecting intellectual and personal information is a challenge for both government and industry. Since the attacks themselves cannot be prevented, critical systems must be designed to survive the attacks.

“It is now recognized that there is a need for computing security experts who can identify and avert potential problems,” states Gaborski.

The computing security master’s degree program is expecting to begin next fall. Initially, about 25 students per year will be accepted, but the program will likely grow to a maximum of 50 students annually.