Computer Networking And System Security

The computer networks and security major helps prepare students to enter or advance in computer networking fields where industry-standard certifications are commonly used to show skills or knowledge level and are considered essential in hiring and promotion decisions. The curriculum focuses on the techniques, policies, operational procedures, and technologies needed to design, implement, administer, secure, and troubleshoot enterprise-level networks. The major helps prepare students for careers as network managers, systems administrators, and network security analysts. It is designed to combine the benefits of a traditional college education with the benefits of hands-on training in state-of-the-art computer technology. The computer networks and security curriculum integrates technical skill with communication skills, superior general education knowledge, and breadth of knowledge in the information technology field, particularly in networks and security.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Design, implement, and administer local-area and wide-area networks to satisfy organizational goals.
• Resolve information technology (IT) system problems and meet the needs of end-users by applying troubleshooting methodologies.
• Apply relevant policies and procedures to effectively secure and monitor IT systems.
• Meet organizational goals in completing individual and team assignments using effective workforce skills, best practices, and ethical principles.
• Effectively communicate IT knowledge to diverse audiences using a wide range of presentation modalities.
• Collect, analyze and review information for the identification of essential data and systems including possible threats, damage and loss.
• Establish organizational policies for proper use and protection of information assets including contingency and disaster plans for backup, recovery and/or replacement of systems and data.
• Review legal, ethical, regulatory and corporate governance issues.
• Implement and configure networking hardware devices such as servers, routers, and switches as well as wireless devices for optimum security.
• Deploy and manage desktop and server operating systems and optimize system settings in order to harden information systems.
• Install specific hardware and applications software for secure transmission in web and e-commerce systems including but not limited to access control, authentication, and encryption.
• Select and apply prevention techniques and countermeasures for dealing with malicious threats to information such as viruses, worms and Trojan horses.
• Install and configure network monitoring and security management utilities for the identification and measurement of possible system attacks or misuse.
• Manage network operations including policies, standards and procedures to define users in terms of what they can do, resources they can access, and operations they are allowed to perform.
• Apply and use network and operating system utilities with an emphasis on deploying preventative measures and procedures.
• Formulate and implement a migration plan that allows for the safe upgrading of networks, operating systems, and/or application software while maintaining stability and security.
• Acquire the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to prepare for industry-recognized information security certification exams.