Cyber Security Systems (Bachelor of Science)

Prepare for careers in small, medium, and fortune 500 corporations as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in different cyber security fields by earning a 120-credit bachelor of science degree in cyber security systems at st. John's.

• As our reliance on computers increases and technology grows more sophisticated, the need for cyber security experts becomes critical to protect users and keep personal information out of the hands of hackers and cyber criminals.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the computer security field is rapidly growing. Private and public employers are expected to add 286,600 new computer security jobs over the next ten years.
• You can prepare for this exciting field by earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Cyber Security Systems at St. John's. 

Offered by the Collins College of Professional Studies, this 120-credit program prepares students for career opportunities in small, medium, and Fortune 500 corporations as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in different cyber security fields, including:

• Cyber Security Systems and Technology: cryptanalysts, security administrators, security analysts, Web security administrators.
• Cyber Security Systems for Business: information security managers, information assurance consultants and business security systems analysts.
• Cyber Forensics: computer crime investigators, cyber law enforcement specialists, digital forensics specialists, forensic technology consultants, Internet forensics specialists, technology risk management professionals.

What sets St. John’s Cyber Security System program apart from others

NSA designation

• As of May 16, 2022, and through academic year 2027, St. John’s University is designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA) as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

ABET accredited

• The Cyber Security Systems B.S. program is Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

94.7 percent

• Of the graduates are either employed and/or continuing their graduate education within 6 months

Major Area Requirements
Course Course Number Title Credits

• CUS 1115 Computer Programming Fundamentals I 3
• CUS 1116 Computer Programming Fundamentals II 3
• CUS 1126 Introduction to Data Structures 3
• CUS 1185 Data Security and Cryptography 3
• IT 1175 Database Information Systems 3
• CSS 005 Fundamentals of Cyber Security 3
• CSS 1006 Management of Information Security 3
• CSS 1011 Network Security 3
• CSS 1032 Cyber Threats and Detection 3
• CSS 1035 Secure Software Development 3
• DFR 1001 Intro to Digital Forensics 3
• NET 1011 Introduction to Networking 3
• NET 1015 Routing and Switching Essentials 3

Major Area Electives
Course Course Number Title Credits

• CSS 1008 Healthcare Information Security 3
• CSS 1012 Network Perimeter Security 3
• CSS 1015 Wireless Security 3
• CSS 1018 SQL and Cloud Database Security 3
• CSS 1021 Cyberlaw and Ethics 3
• CSS 1025 Linux and UNIX Security 3
• CSS 1091 Computer Security Systems Internship 3
• DFR 1002 Network Forensics or a higher DFR course 3

Sample Four Year Plan
Year 1

Fall Semester (15 credits)

• CSS1005 Fundamentals of Cyber Security
• CUS1115 Programming Fundamentals 1
• DNY1000C Discover NY
• MTH1009 Calculus I
• FYW1000C First Year Writing

Spring Semester (15 credits)

• CUS1116 Programming Fundamentals II
• NET1011 Introduction to Networks
• ENG1100C Literature in a Global Context
• MTH1022 Discrete Mathematics
• Foreign language elective

Year 2
Fall Semester (15 credits)

• CUS1126 Introduction to Data Structures
• SCI1000C Scientific Inquiry
• CSS1006 Management of Information Security
• MTH1013 Probability & Statistics I
• PHI1000C Philosophy of the Human Person

Spring Semester (15 credits)

• IT 1175 Database Information Systems
• Foreign language elective
• HIS1000C Emergence of a Global Society
• MTH1014 Probability and Statistics II
• THE1000C Perspectives on Christianity

Year 3
Fall Semester (15 credits)

• CUS 1185 Data Security and Cryptography 
• DFR1001 Intro to Digital Forensics
• Free elective
• ECO1001 Principles of Economics I
• THE1040 Moral Theology

Spring Semester (15 credits)

• NET1015 Routers and Router Concepts
• CSS1011 Network Security
• Free elective
• ECO1002 Principles of Economics II
• PHI1020 Ethics

Year 4
Fall Semester (15 credits)

• PHI3000C Metaphysics
• CSS1032 Cyber Threats and Detection
• CSS1035 Secure Software
• CSS elective
• Free elective

Spring Semester (15 credits)

• CSS elective
• SPE1000C Public Speaking for College Students
• THE any elective
• Free elective
• Free elective

Program Educational Objectives
Graduates of the B.S. in Cyber Security Systems program should, within a few years of graduation:

• Attain meaningful positions toward successful careers in Cyber Security and/or related fields.
• Advance their professional development through self-directed learning and/or graduate study.
• Practice Cyber Security professionally and with specific regard to ethical and societal responsibilities.

Student Outcomes (Program-Level Learning Outcomes) Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

• Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
• Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
• Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
• Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

Topics Covered

Students receive solid foundations in mathematics and programming as well as in computing and Cyber Security course work. Fundamental topics are covered in each of the following area

• Data Security: protection of data at rest, during processing, and in transit.
• Software Security: development and use of software that reliably preserves the security properties of the protected information and systems.
• Component Security: the security aspects of the design, procurement, testing, analysis, and maintenance of components integrated into larger systems.
• Connection Security: security of the connections between components, both physical and logical.
• System Security: security aspects of systems that use software and are composed of components and connections.
• Human Security: the study of human behavior in the context of data protection, privacy, and threat mitigation.
• Organizational Security: protecting organizations from Cyber Security threats and managing risk to support successful accomplishment of the organizations’ missions.
• Societal Security: aspects of Cyber Security that broadly impact society as a whole.
• Advanced Cyber Security topics that build on crosscutting concepts and fundamental topics to provide depth.

Students also may take a minor in conjunction with the B.S. Degree in Cyber Security Systems. 

The following minors may be of special interest to students majoring in this program:

• Business
• Criminalistics
• Criminal Justice
• Digital Forensics
• Forensics
• Homeland security
• Information technology
• Legal Studies