College launches cybersecurity major at area campus

Course topics include cybersecurity analytics, cybersecurity threat intelligence, database management, risk management, cloud solution architectures and cybersecurity governance and policies.


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  • | 3:28 p.m. March 3, 2021
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SARASOTA — The University of South Florida has launched a new major that provides students a pathway to careers in cybersecurity.

The Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Management program is hosted at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. According to a press release, it is a unique major in the Muma College of Business that combines core courses in business with information assurance, cybersecurity management and analytics.

Students in the major attain in-depth skills to work at an array of companies and large corporations, nonprofits, government agencies and institutions. 

Course topics include cybersecurity analytics, cybersecurity threat intelligence, database management, risk management, cloud solution architectures and cybersecurity governance and policies.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts earn a media salary of $99,730 per year, and the number of jobs is expected to grow 31% from 2019 to 2029.

“Many organization’s cybersecurity teams continue to struggle with a cyber communication disconnect between senior management and technical cybersecurity personnel,” says Information Technology Professor Giti Javidi, who oversees the major, in the statement. “The IACM degree originated with the notion that organizations need cybersecurity experts who have technical and non-technical skills to bridge this gap in communication. The degree assumes that cybersecurity management is a business function. Therefore, graduates with an IACM degree will gain vast knowledge and skills in both business and cybersecurity to be the frontline of support for governments and organizations.”

The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus hosts the major, but the program is available to USF students at any campus.

Graduates of the program can pursue opportunities as cybersecurity auditors, information assurance compliance specialists, cybersecurity consultants, cybersecurity incident response analysts, cybersecurity specialists, cyber intelligence analysts, cybersecurity operations analysts, cybersecurity planning SME and other related positions.

“We are proud of the IACM major on the Sarasota-Manatee campus as it strengthens the Muma College of Business in a unique way,” says Sarasota-Manatee Campus Dean Jean Kabongo in the statement. “By graduating students competent in the family of jobs within cybersecurity management, the IACM major will help faculty and staff connect with students, alumni and local businesses and professional organizations while also impacting positively our community and beyond.”

The University of South Florida serves more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee. 

 

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