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Program Overview

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 >>

Approved by the UW Information School

The FBI estimates that criminal gangs now account for 15-20 percent of the malicious traffic on the Internet and that revenues from cybercrime now exceed drug trafficking totals. As organized crime replaces the recreational hacker as the major menace to information systems, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems takes on even greater urgency.

With well-financed and skilled adversaries, the escalating costs of cybercrime, and new laws requiring stringent information security practices, demand for competent information security professionals is on the rise. No longer is the challenge simply "computer security," implying a hardware/software-only approach. Instead, the broader field of information assurance (IA) has emerged as the framework that seeks to protect and defend information and information systems, enterprise-wide.

The information assurance field encompasses security policies and planning, security technologies and procedures, and training and awareness programs. Anyone working with information systems should have an understanding of the range of tools available that mitigate security risk, in order to face the challenges of the next decade.

The Certificate Program in Information Assurance & Cybersecurity provides a systematic approach to establishing, managing,and operating a comprehensive and effective information assurance program. The three certificate courses:

• Investigate measures and strategies to protect and defend information and information systems for public and private corporations, NGO's and government agencies.
  
  
• Address risk management issues and present approaches to developing information security risk management strategies and plans for organizations.
  
  
• Apply theory and practice to help organizations protect their critical information assets.

This program identifies and evaluates detailed methodologies for establishing information assurance goals and defining what that means to an organization in terms of policies, planning and practice. It also includes an examination of defense strategies, incident response to system compromise, risk management decision-making, and legal issues.

Applying methods learned in the class to real world problems and cases will be emphasized. The breadth and depth of the security experts brought into the classroom as guest lecturers ensures that students are kept current with the latest advances in the field and are exposed to a network of local security professionals who can aid them in career advancement.

Program Audience

The Certificate Program in Information Assurance & Cybersecurity is intended for

• information security officers, security managers, operational managers at various levels within organizations
• systems and network managers
• legal professionals
• risk analysts and managers
• information professionals across such fields as public health and health care, banking and finance, government, IT, and aerospace

GNM Credit and Transfer of Credits

Program participants normally earn three Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for successful completion of each of three courses in the Information Assurance & Cybersecurity Certificate Program. Participants who wish to receive University of Washington graduate-level credit for their certificate courses should also apply for graduate non-matriculated (GNM) status. A student's request for GNM status is expected before the beginning of the program or first course taken. The preferred deadline* for receipt of GNM applications and official transcripts is approximately one month prior to the quarter for which this optional status is requested.

Students who receive GNM credits may be able to transfer those credits toward a graduate degree, provided they maintain a 3.0 grade-point for the courses taken and are accepted into a graduate program. A maximum of twelve (12) GNM credits may be accepted by a University of Washington graduate degree program.

Prospective applicants interested in this optional status should contact the program office as soon as possible at 206-221-3467. The cost of graduate-level academic credit exceeds the fees applicable to Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

*For GNM application deadlines and other information see Information About GNM Status

Related Programs

Degree Program

• Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM)

Certificate Programs

• Computer Forensics
• Information Systems Security
• Network Engineering
• UNIX/Linux Administration

Contact a Program Representative

If you have questions about this program, please call 206-685-8936 in the greater Seattle area, or 888-469-6499, or e-mail us.