MSU Cybersecurity Degree Opportunities
Welcome to the Minot State University - Cybersecurity opportunities website. MSU continues to grow and expand cybersecurity offerings at the University. We have traditional in-person and online opportunities for all of our offerings. There are also technical and non-technical degree options. The recent Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense in obtained through our non-technical Management Information Systems degree available in the College of Business. There is also a minor in MIS and certificate offerings for professionals or individuals looking to grow knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. A technical bachelor's degree in cyber operation is currently offered in the college of computer science and mathematics.
MSU is looking to expand instructional offerings to include more industry certification offerings for many of the courses offered in both technical and non-technical studies. The certificates are groupings of 3 to 5 courses with as little as 9 credits for some certificates and up to 15 for other certificates. There will be additional certificates available in the near future. Currently there is a Cyber Defense and Information Assurance certificate that includes A+, Security+, and Network+ courses. All certificates are available in-person or in a virtual offering. Please see the listing of degrees below to explore all current opportunities at MSU.
According to the National Security Agency definition, information assurance or information security (INFOSEC) involves protecting and defending information and information systems by “ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation.” Technology dependence increases the use of devices, networks, and emerging digital solutions creating greater cyber-attack opportunities for malicious threats. Knowledge of the vulnerabilities does not address the scarcity of security professionals with the abilities to address the needs of business and government organizations. Professionals are needed
As the world’s dependence upon computers and networks continues to grow, its vulnerability to cyber-attacks increases. Yet, there is an acute shortage of properly prepared security professionals who can meet the needs of organizations and governments to understand, prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyber-attacks at all levels. The federal government has reported that thousands of jobs in the computer/network security area go unfilled every year and the unmet demand continues to grow.
