Overview   |   Courses  |   Instructors  |   Advisory Board  |   How to Apply

Program Overview

Currently accepting applications Apply now >> Next program starts: Autumn 2008 Program location: Online with optional meetings Next information meeting: Monday, Sept. 8 (see details >>) Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>

Approved by the UW Information School

Information is the lifeblood of organizations. In order to preserve its value, skilled professionals must ensure that it is protected from loss or theft, secured from corruption and expertly maintained.

Information assurance (IA) is the discipline that trains individuals how to protect and defend information and information systems across an enterprise. Broader than simply computer security, IA encompasses security policies and planning, security technologies and procedures, training and awareness programs and compliance protocols and audit processes — each necessary to safeguard enterprise information.

In order to successfully manage the cybersecurity challenges of the future decade, information systems professionals must understand this emerging field. New laws requiring stringent information security practices and an escalating threat spectrum of attackers place demand for competent information security professionals at an all time high.

The Information Assurance & Cybersecurity Certificate Program gives you a systematic approach to establishing, managing and operating an effective information assurance program, equipping you with the latest methodologies, plans and practices directly applicable to your workplace. This includes cyber defense strategies, incident response to system compromise, risk management decision-making, and legal and regulatory analyses. Graduates from the program have leveraged their certificate to gain increased responsibility and promotion with current employers or to move from current IT positions into security and privacy specialties. Graduates currently work for public health, State and Federal government agencies, defense contractors and the military, private industry-Safeco, Swedish Hospital, T-Mobile, Boeing, Microsoft, Verizon, Washington Mutual, and many others.

Experienced security experts guest lecture throughout the program, ensuring that your education is in synch with the latest advances in IA and that you have the opportunity to build a network of local security professionals who can help advance your career.

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 and administrators
• legal and regulatory professionals
• risk analysts and managers
• privacy analysts and specialists
• information professionals across such fields as public health and healthcare, 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)
• Master in Strategic Planning for Critical Infrastructures (MSPCI)

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.