M.S. in Cybersecurity & Network Administration

Program Overview

Touro University's Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Network Administration equips students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the rapidly evolving field of network security. Through a combination of theoretical coursework and practical training, students gain proficiency in a range of security tools and techniques, including network and system administration, cybersecurity analysis, and ethical hacking. The program prepares graduates for careers as cybersecurity specialists, network administrators, and other roles in the field.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Network Administration program at Touro University prepares students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving world of network security. Through a combination of theoretical coursework and practical training, students gain proficiency in a range of security tools and techniques, including network and system administration, cybersecurity analysis, and ethical hacking.

Objectives:

• Equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the cybersecurity field
• Provide a strong foundation in network and system administration
• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Prepare students for careers in network security

Outline:

Course Schedule:

The program consists of a total of 33 credits, including:

• Required Cybersecurity and Network Administration Courses: 12 credits
• Program Core Courses: 12 credits
• Cybersecurity and Network Administration Elective Courses: 9 credits

Course Modules:

Cybersecurity and Network Administration Required Courses:

• MSIN 640: Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Networking Technologies
• Introduces students to Cybersecurity and Network Administration and related terminology, including LAN/WAN network components and their corresponding functions.
• Students learn how data flows throughout a network and how "connections" and "communications" are achieved in various network configurations.
• Students also develop an in-depth understanding of the functionality of the Internet and gain knowledge of data communications networking technologies.
• MSIN 641: Advanced Cybersecurity and Internet Technologies
• Covers the following critical networking processes:
• network management (SNMP)
• Storage Area Networking (SAN)
• Cloud Computing
• Each topic has a heavy focus on cybersecurity-related content and how to secure the various protocols or networking configurations.
• MSIN 645: Network Security and Cyber Defense
• Provides hands-on knowledge of software used by professionals to prevent attacks on computer systems and to eliminate existing system vulnerabilities.
• Students are exposed to the techniques and tools used by hackers to better understand the explained procedures.
• Course content is updated for today's cybersecurity environment, covers new cyber defense resources, emerging vulnerabilities, innovative methods to protect networks, mobile security considerations, and computer crime laws.
• Prepares students for the Certified Ethical Hacker exam using lectures, classroom discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises.
• MSIN 647: Computer Networking: Routing and Switching
• Uses a structured approach to explain how networks work, including the physical layer of networking, computer hardware and transmission systems, network applications such as e-mail, the domain name system (DNS), the World-Wide Web, and various forms of multimedia.
• It also encompasses current network technologies including wireless networks, Bluetooth, video conferencing, streaming video, and Voice-over IP (VoIP).

Cybersecurity and Network Administration Elective Courses:

• MSIN 643: Advanced Topics in LAN
• Combines lectures with hands-on labs to expand students' knowledge of setting up enterprise networks, creating Windows Server-based Active Directory forests, trees, and domains.
• The primary focus will be on Active Directory design and configuration, administrative tools, user and group administration, role of registry keys, backup and restore, environment variables, file access management, use of group policy as a configuration tool, and to distribute software, setup folder redirection, delegation and Microsoft Management Console, disk administration, distributed file system, printer configuration, application support, infrastructure components/setup, and virtualization.
• MSIN 644: Wireless and Secure Networks
• Provides the background knowledge and practical skills needed to design, deploy, manage, secure, and troubleshoot wireless local area networks (WLANs).
• Starting with an overview of the technology and architecture of WLANs, this course explains the services and advanced features that such networks can provide.
• Students receive practical design guidance and deployment recommendations, beginning with an overview of Ethernet technologies, and how to address challenges and solutions associated with security, mobility, and Quality of Service (QoS).
• A series of case studies that highlight WLAN design and security considerations in various business environments help place all the concepts covered in the context of real-world applications.
• MSIN 646: Network Architecture and Design
• A historical perspective and structured approach to the design of networks in today's environments.
• The course presents both strengths and weaknesses of current technologies and discusses methods of using these elements to produce workable solutions for emerging communication needs.
• Beginning with how networks meet basic connectivity requirements, it expands to how networks interconnect and how they are optimized to satisfy the needs of applications layered upon them.
• Sample case studies may include current initiatives in VoIP and Video over IP.
• A special focus on Internet optimization lends relevance to these discussions with real-world engineering challenges.
• MSIN 648: Secure Virtualization Technologies
• Covers virtualization technology basics and security.
• Includes: choosing the best hypervisor for implementation, setup, planning hardware and resource requirements, network design, testing and development, server consolidation, basic iSCSI storage setup, failover and fault tolerance tests, by using various software and virtualization platforms.
• A special focus will be placed on cybersecurity and securing virtual environments.
• MSIN 652: Unix/Linux System Administration
• Provides students with knowledge of standard and advanced techniques needed to set up and maintain a UNIX/Linux environment.
• Focuses on aspects of configuring and managing an Internet-based server with the Linux operating system.
• Students learn Linux software configuration and installation, user management, security, and data integrity.
• MSIN 653: Architecting Cloud Solutions (Azure)
• Presents the ability to run applications through Cloud Computing, by using a technique called Software as a Service (SaaS).
• SaaS is a software distribution model in which a third-party provider hosts applications and makes them available to customers over the Internet.
• SaaS is one of three main categories of cloud computing, (alongside infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS)).
• Using SaaS means that with products such as Microsoft's Azure, Amazon's Elastic Cloud, and Google's App Engine, it is possible for applications to be deployed over a network with enormous computational power, while expending almost no initial capital investment, and with minimal operating costs.
• This course will examine the techniques for building, deploying, and maintaining such applications in the Cloud.
• MSIN 655: Advanced Computer Networking: High Performance Networks
• Performance concepts and issues regarding the TCP/IP protocol over wired, wireless, optical, and satellite networks.
• Concepts covered include TCP/IP network performance evaluation methods, network traffic management in routers and hosts, and implementations of the TCP/IP protocol stack in hardware and software.
• MSIN 672: Special Topics in Cybersecurity
• Covers emerging trends in Cybersecurity to broaden student understanding of the topic.
• Specific content and applications will be determined by the interest and expertise of faculty and students.
• Topics may include but are not limited to Advanced Topics in Cryptography; Cyberspace Operational Planning; Software Vulnerability and Security; Mobile Device Management and Security; Insider Threats; International Cyber Power; Perspectives and Implications.
• MSIN 675: Professional Internship Experience
• The student will work in a professional environment, for a minimum of 480 hours over a period of at least two semesters.
• Students may secure an internship independently or may work with the GST Department of Career Services.
• Weekly logs and examples of work are required for the successful completion of the internship, and are reviewed by the Faculty Internship Coordinator, upon completion of the internship.
• The purpose of the internship is to provide students with practical, hands-on experience in their chosen field of expertise to complement their coursework.
• CPT
• MDAN 675: Full Time CPT
• The student will work in a professional environment, for a minimum of 480 hours over a period of one semester.
• The student may secure an internship independently or may work with the GST Department of Career Services.
• The purpose of practical training is to provide valuable experiences that enhance the skills and competencies the student learns during the Touro degree program, providing the student with practical, hands-on experience in his/her chosen field of expertise to complement the coursework.
• These experiences must be directly related to the student's major area of study and be an integral part of an established curriculum.
• As such, the student needs approval before pursuing CPT.
• This is a 3-credit course and will serve as the first semester of CPT.
• Weekly logs and examples of work are required for the successful completion of the internship, and are reviewed by the Faculty Internship Coordinator, upon completion of the internship.
• The Internship must be approved in advance by the program chair.
• MDAN 676: Part Time CPT
• The student will work in a professional environment, for a minimum of 240 hours over a period of one semester.
• Students may secure an internship independently or may work with the GST Department of Career Services.
• The purpose of practical training is to provide valuable experiences that enhance the skills and competencies you are learning through your Touro degree program.
• MDAN 677: Full Time CPT
• The student will work in a professional environment, for a minimum of 480 hours over a period of one semester.
• This working experience must build upon the one experienced in either MDAN 675 or MDAN 676.
• The student may secure an internship independently or may work with the GST Department of Career Services.
• The purpose of practical training is to provide valuable experiences that enhance the skills and competencies the student learns during the Touro degree program, providing the student with practical, hands-on experience in his/her chosen field of expertise to complement the coursework.
• These experiences must be directly related to the student's major area of study and be an integral part of an established curriculum.
• As such, the student needs approval before pursuing CPT.
• This is a 1-credit course and will serve as the second semester of CPT.
• Weekly logs and examples of work are required for the successful completion of the internship, and are reviewed by the Faculty Internship Coordinator, upon completion of the internship.
• The Internship must be approved in advance by the program chair.
• MDAN 678: Part Time CPT
• The student will work in a professional environment, for a minimum of 240 hours over a period of one semester.
• This working experience must build upon the one experienced in either MDAN 675 or MDAN 676.
• The student may secure an internship independently or may work with the GST Department of Career Services.
• The purpose of practical training is to provide valuable experiences that enhance the skills and competencies the student learns during the Touro degree program, providing the student with practical, hands-on experience in his/her chosen field of expertise to complement the coursework.
• These experiences must be directly related to the student's major area of study and be an integral part of an established curriculum.
• As such, the student needs approval before pursuing CPT.
• This is a 1-credit course and will serve as the second semester of CPT.
• Weekly logs and examples of work are required for the successful completion of the internship, and are reviewed by the Faculty Internship Coordinator, upon completion of the internship.
• The Internship must be approved in advance by the program chair.
• Any Other Elective Approved by the Dean
• M.S.
in Cybersecurity and Network Administration Core Technology Management courses
• MSIN 605: Strategic Management of Technology
• Enterprises in many industries are driven by the need to achieve technological innovation in order to prosper or even survive.
• This course focuses on the strategic management of technology and innovation in firms of various types.
• These technology innovations can encompass software, hardware, or other forms of technology and even the very processes needed to design, develop, and manufacture the resultant technological products.
• Students develop an understanding of technological innovation and the issues and strategies for organizing, managing, diffusing, and protecting innovation.
• This broadens the horizons of students who have concentrated on technical computing and Information Technology courses and require enrichment in the area of managerial science.
• MSIN 607: Effective Oral and Written Communication for Managers
• Emphasizes the importance of good communication skills for corporate managers in the business world.
• This course identifies and reviews the foundations of business communication - listening, speaking, writing, and reading - and broadens students' experience by building communication skills using technologies and practical business applications.
• The goal of this course is for students to become confident, flexible, and resourceful communicators in the competitive intercultural global business community.
• MSIN 609: IT Project Management
• This course is an introductory course that provides the fundamental principles of technology project management.
• In this course, students will learn how to use Project Management Best Practices to bring order to the otherwise chaotic world of information technology projects, by defining a set of guidelines and standards, and then adhering to them.
• The student will learn to view Project Management as a set of tools that are an integral part of business strategy.
• In addition, students will receive a unique perspective on the issues surrounding the management of information technology projects in various organizations.
• This course will provide students with a solid foundation in IT Project Management.
• MSIN 695: Capstone Course
• Provides students with the opportunity to plan a major research paper or project and implement it from start to finish using a combination of their conceptual, technical, and applied knowledge.
• As the capstone course in the program, the project developed draws on the skills and knowledge gained throughout the program.
• Project deliverables have deadlines staggered throughout the semester.
• Must be taken in last semester.

Cybersecurity and Network Administration Preparatory Courses

• MSIN 511: Technology Concepts and Essentials
• MSIN 512: IT Software and Security Principles
• Introduces computer hardware, software, and security skills needed to meet the growing demand for entry-level information technology (IT) professionals.
• It covers the fundamentals of PC computer technology, networking, and security with emphasis on the software portion of the CompTIA A+ 220-1002 certification examination.
• Students develop working knowledge of how computers operate, how to assemble computers, how to troubleshoot (hardware and) software issues, and implement computer system security.
• MSIN 513: Fundamentals of Networking
• Introduces networking concepts, principles and related terminology; presents real-world examples of basic networks; describes network hardware, media, design, components and their corresponding functions; Introduces different network operating environments; and generates a basic understanding of how "connection" and "communication” are achieved in a network.
• MSIN 514: Wide Area Networks I
• Provides a hands-on introduction to networking and the Internet using tools and hardware commonly found in small-to-medium network environments.
• Instruction includes networking, network terminology and protocols, network standards, LANs, WANs, OSI model, cabling, cabling tools, routers, IP addressing, and Internet connectivity.

Careers:

Career options include:

• Cybersecurity Specialist
• Network / Cybersecurity Administrator
• Network / Cybersecurity Analyst
• Network / Cybersecurity Architect
• Network / Cybersecurity Consultant
• Network / Cybersecurity Engineer
• Network / Cybersecurity Manager
• Cloud Computing Specialist