BU MET > MET college programs > graduate school programs > graduate certificate programs > information security

Information Security Graduate Certificate
on-site at RSA Bedford
(Spring 2009 – Spring 2010)

Boston University Metropolitan College offers the Information Security Graduate Certificate on-site at RSA Security, 174 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA. This program is open to the public.

In general, information security means protecting information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction. Information security is important in today’s world because almost all organizations, including government agencies, hospitals, insurance companies, and private businesses, store various kinds of information about their employees and customers. If any business-related information is confidential, the security of that data becomes crucial. For example, if critical business data (e.g., credit card numbers) is leaked to competitors or hackers, it could lead to loss of business, lawsuits, and even bankruptcy.

The Information Security Graduate Certificate program will touch upon various aspects of information security, including IT security policies and how digital forensics can help in investigating a security breach. Students will also obtain a good understanding of how information is stored in a database and what services are available to protect it.

Transfer of Credits to Degree Programs

Academic credits earned toward the Graduate Certificate in Information Security may be transferred to the following master of science degrees: MS in Computer Science, MS in Computer Information Systems, MS in Telecommunication. All three degree programs are offered at BU's Charles River Campus. The MS in Computer Science is also offered at BU's North Campus.

Prerequisites

Applicants to the program are required to have a bachelor's degree. Prior knowledge of computer programming, operating systems and communications networking is assumed. General experience in working with a computer system, its operating system and applications is necessary. Java, DCE, .NET, unix/linux experience useful. To confirm your qualification for the prerequisites of this program, please email csinfo@bu.edu with a note about your work experience and educational background.

Curriculum

Four courses, 16 required credits:

MET CS 654 Network and Software Security

Prereq: MET CS 535 and knowledge of Java equivalent to MET CS 232; (or instructor's consent)

In-depth presentation of security issues in computer networks, systems and applications. Internet and intranet topics include security in IP, routers, proxy servers, and firewalls, application-level gateways, Web servers, file and mail servers. Discussion of remote access issues, such as dial-up servers, modems, VPN gateways and clients. Operating System security covers Unix and Windows OS security model, memory protection, access control and authentication, file system security, backup and recovery management, intrusion and virus protection mechanisms. Application level security focuses on language level security and various security policies; conventional and public keys encryption, authentication, message digest and digital signatures and their implementations with Java APIs. Laboratory course. 4 cr

This course was offered in Spring 2009 at RSA.  The next opportunity to take this course will be Fall 2009, Tuesdays, 6-9pm at the BU North Campus-Chelmsford.

MET CS 674 Database Security

Prereq: MET CS 669 or MET CS579  (or instructor's consent)

The course provides a strong foundation in database security and auditing. This course utilizes Oracle scenarios and step-by-step examples. The following topics are covered: security, profiles, password policies, privileges and roles, Virtual Private Databases, and auditing. The course also covers advanced topics such as SQL injection,database management security issues such as securing the DBMS, enforcing access controls, and related issues. 4 cr

This course was offered in Summer 2009 at RSA.  The next opportunity to take this course will be Fall 2009, Wednesdays, 6-9pm at the Charles River-Boston Campus.

MET CS 789 Cryptography

Prereq: MET CS 248 and MET CS 566 (or instructor's consent)

Modern symmetric ciphers (Data Encryption Standard, Advanced Encryption Standard), Public key ciphers (The RSA cipher, ElGamal cipher), Protocols (Diffie-Helman Key Exchange, Oblivious Transfer, Zero-Knowledge Proofs), Random number generators, Modern factorization attacks, Elliptic Curves 4 cr

Fall 2009 (September-December), Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m. (14 class meetings) at RSA in Bedford.

Dates: 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16 (final exam)

MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations

Computer Forensics or Digital Forensics is a rapidly growing discipline within the domain of Information Security. Computer forensics is an interesting topic; it includes analysis of data “left behind” by the operating system or application software. A wide range of scenarios arise where a thorough and detailed assessment of the computer data is required. This can range from looking for hidden assets, uncovering frauds, finding missing persons, performing personnel investigations and preserving confidential corporate information. With rapid growth of computer systems, this area is bound to grow in importance. 4 cr

Spring 2010 (January-May), Weekdays TBD, 6-9 p.m. (14 class meetings) at RSA in Bedford.

Dates: 1/13 - 4/29 (final exams 5/4 - 5/11)

For more information on admission requirements, call Mary Carlson at 617-358-2901 or e-mail carlsonm@bu.edu.

 

Department of Computer Science 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 250, Boston MA 02215
 617-353-2566 csinfo@bu.edu