Cybercriminology and Security Studies (CSS)
As approved by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education in 2017, Cybercriminology and Security Studies offered by STATE is the first and only program of its kind in the State of Indiana and is one of only twenty-three similar programs in the United States. It is unique in its social science and social engineering approach to security issues.
Along with developing a strong foundation in criminology and criminal justice, students choose to focus their studies on protecting the security of either electronic data or physical structures and assets. In addition to developing an understanding of computer science, students in the cybercriminology track will learn to profile victims, organizations, and cyber criminals to strengthen cyber defenses. Similarly, students in the security track will learn to profile the victims, organizations, and those who pose a security risk to better protect organizations. Moreover, as with nearly every academic program offered by STATE, this program allows for clearly defined and understandable articulation pathways via partnerships with Ivy Tech Community College as well as other regional community colleges.
The CSS program is student centered. The program offers flexibility to students, having concentrations to complement student interests and industry needs. The entire program is offered on campus and online, thus giving students an opportunity to choose the delivery method that best fits student needs at any given time. Finally, the program can reach a broad spectrum of students across the state (and nation), specifically those serving in the military, homeland security, and law enforcement. The program is also workforce aligned. Multiple agencies across disciplines have indicated a growing need for Cybercriminology and Security Studies. This program was designed in consultation with experts in the field to ensure that we are graduating a student that is both qualified and immediately employable.
Specifically, the program addresses the following critical aspects to 21st security issues:
Along with developing a strong foundation in criminology and criminal justice, students choose to focus their studies on protecting the security of either electronic data or physical structures and assets. In addition to developing an understanding of computer science, students in the cybercriminology track will learn to profile victims, organizations, and cyber criminals to strengthen cyber defenses. Similarly, students in the security track will learn to profile the victims, organizations, and those who pose a security risk to better protect organizations. Moreover, as with nearly every academic program offered by STATE, this program allows for clearly defined and understandable articulation pathways via partnerships with Ivy Tech Community College as well as other regional community colleges.
The CSS program is student centered. The program offers flexibility to students, having concentrations to complement student interests and industry needs. The entire program is offered on campus and online, thus giving students an opportunity to choose the delivery method that best fits student needs at any given time. Finally, the program can reach a broad spectrum of students across the state (and nation), specifically those serving in the military, homeland security, and law enforcement. The program is also workforce aligned. Multiple agencies across disciplines have indicated a growing need for Cybercriminology and Security Studies. This program was designed in consultation with experts in the field to ensure that we are graduating a student that is both qualified and immediately employable.
Specifically, the program addresses the following critical aspects to 21st security issues:
- Developing research based responses to specific security threats
- Analyzing collected data/information using a variety of analytic techniques and methodologies
- Demonstrating knowledge about the physical security and cybercrime
- Gathering, analyzing, correlating, and evaluating information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases, open-sources, human sources, etc.
- Validating cyber threats
- Identifying and analyzing current issues and practices facing the national security at both public and private sectors
- Applying scientifically supported theoretical premises to current security related issues
- Developing preventive measures based on scientifically supported research
- Identifying best practices in implementing and managing the security issues