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Course Descriptions

Currently accepting applications Apply now >> Next program starts: Autumn 2008 Program location: Online with optional meetings Next information meeting: Tues., June 17 (see details >>) Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>

Classes meet one evening per week at the Information School, UW campus, Seattle.

Interested in taking a single class? Some courses (designated by a below) may be open on a space-available basis to professionals who are not seeking the certificate. See Single-Course Enrollment for details.

Autumn Course

Foundations of Organizational Information Assurance

Schedule: (10 sessions) Online with optional onsite meetings every other Wednesday, 6:00-8:50 p.m., Sept. 24 - Nov. 26, 2008; $770; 3 CEUs
Instructor: Barbara Endicott-Popovsky

This course examines the rationale and methods for securing physical and electronic components of information systems. Learn how vulnerabilities arise; gain an understanding of the evolving threats systems face. Leading experts will present best practices for protecting information systems, and students will come to understand the human factors affecting IA policy, plans and audits.

Master the concepts and skills related to the life cycle of IA. Among the many topics in this course, participants will address IA policies and practices, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and information systems. Students will analyze the IA context and develop the skills to maintain currency in IA.

Participants will create and maintain a secure information systems environment; manage compliance with new and emerging regulatory requirements; conduct, or respond to, a security audit; analyze, design and instantiate organizational goals through IA policy, plans and audits; and address the legal, regulatory and ethical issues involved with IA. Students will also come to understand:

• Threats, vulnerabilities and strategic countermeasures
• The role of a Chief Information Security Officer
• The role of risk management in decision making
• Information privacy and accountability

The course is designed, in part, to meet the education and training standards described in CNSS 4011 and 4012.

Winter Course

Information Assurance Risk Assessment and Management

Schedule: (10 sessions) Online with optional onsite meetings every other Wednesday, 6:00-8:50 p.m., Jan. 7-Mar. 11, 2009; $770; 3 CEUs
Instructor: Barbara Endicott-Popovsky and Seth Shapiro

This course explores several structured, risk management approaches to assist in decision-making. Course topics include: developing and maintaining IA policies; laws and regulations influencing the development and maintenance of appropriate IA policies; developing and maintaining IA and risk management plans; auditing and enforcing IA policies and procedures; and issues surrounding network monitoring and incident response, personnel practices, privacy and ethics.

The course is designed to meet the education and training standards described in CNSS 4016.

How to sign up for single-course enrollment in this course

Spring Course

Establishing and Managing Information Assurance Strategies

Schedule: (10 sessions) Online with optional onsite meetings every other Wednesday, 6:00-8:50 p.m., Apr. 1-June 3, 2009; $770; 3 CEUs
Instructors: Barbara Endicott-Popovsky and Mike Simon

This capstone course challenges participants to integrate and apply knowledge in preparation for assuming increased responsibility for information assurance and cybersecurity in their organizations. The course follows the case method, using current, real-world cases developed and presented by the practitioner community. Participants apply what they have learned about establishing and managing information assurance strategies in order to solve the cases.

This course is designed, in part, to meet the training standards described in CNSS 4014-I.

How to sign up for single-course enrollment in this course