Cybersecurity: A National Priority

Welcome to Colorado Technical University's cybersecurity webpage.  Cybersecurity has become a national priority.  The nation's governmental and business leaders have come to increasingly realize that the networked and digital nature of government and the economy have made us increasingly vulnerable to cyberattack - whether by malicious hackers, cybercriminals or hostile governments.  Coping with cyberthreats requires a multifaceted effort.  On the one hand, it requires "security techies" that have expertise in computer systems and information technology and can write computer code to protect systems or analyze code in order to pick up on and trace cyberattacks (in the cyber world, it is often difficult to know when one is under attack).  On the other hand, cybersecurity also requires "cyber policy wonks" that understand and can help propose laws and regulations that govern cyber activities  that are respectful of privacy rights while also allowing effective law enforcement and investigation.  The wonks are also needed to help navigate the plethora of agencies and overlapping authorities that deal with cybersecurity including the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security (and its constituent agencies, such as the U.S. Secret Service), the FBI, the intelligence community, and a range of other federal departments, state and local governments and the private sector.

In short, the need for making cybernet works secure will only grow as we become increasingly dependent on computers and computer networks.  As more of our personal information goes online, more government and industry secrets are put into computer databases, and as all of our financial transactions become digital (including, eventually, our smart phones - or whatever replaces the smart phone - consigning paper currency and coins to museums), we will become ever more vulnerable and in need of experts who can protect us, our economy and the nation.

We are proud to show our support for National Cyber Security Awareness Month and our commitment to the subject as Cybersecurity champions.  

I hope you will find the blogs and articles posted on this webpage useful for discussions around cybersecurity issues.  Please check back frequently as content will be continually updated.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Nadav Morag, Ph.D.
University Dean for Security Studies

Cybersecurity Thought Leadership

• Facebook Cybersecurity Live Chat with Stephen Recca
  Stephen Recca, M.A., Program Director for Homeland Security, recently hosted a live Facebook chat session on Cybersecurity. He offered his expertise on a wide range of topics including job tracks and security concerns relating to cybersecurity.
• Cybercriminals: Masterminds Wreaking Havoc in Cyberspace
  There is a tremendous diversity to the threats in the cyber domain and the entities that are behind them. Let’s take a closer look at the individuals responsible for the various threats threatening our cybersecurity.
• Trojan Horse, Zombies and 15 Critical Cybersecurity Terms You Need to Know
  These days, everyone is vulnerable to cybercrime and other breaches to the security of their digital systems and identity. Our world is increasingly connected through computers, smart phones and tablets and an exploding number of apps. This influx of technology makes for that many more digital portals to protect.
• Cyber Threats to our Personal and National Security
  In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness month in October, our faculty offer insights on both policy and technical issues related to cybersecurity. In this post, Stephen Recca, M.A., takes a look at four cybersecurity threats from a policy perspective.
• What is Cyber?
  Cyber is in. Government officials share worries over cybersecurity. The Intelligence Community warns of cyber threats from nation states, anarchist groups and lone wolves. Civil liberties watch groups decry infringements of privacy and individual rights by state-sponsored cyber eavesdropping
• 3 Proactive Steps to KISS Cybersecurity Woes Goodbye
  How secure is your business from a cyber attack? If your organization is attacked, what will you lose, both in the attack and in the aftermath or recovery?
• Rethinking the Cybersecurity Equation
  We need to take a hard look at our cybersecurity policy and ensure those that that frame it are the best minds private and public sectors can bring to the table.
• The Cyber Domain: Five Ways to Frame the Security Policy Discussion
  Over the last decade alone, technological advances have forced a sea change upon the world with myriad positive implications. But for all the positives, there’s a dark side to our fast-evolving cyber world. 

Preparing Tomorrow's Cybersecurity Champions

Here at Colorado Technical University, we have degree programs that address both the need for security techies and cyber policy wonks. On the technology side, we offer quality programs in Security/ Cyber Security with our Bachelor of Science in Information Assurance Security with concentrations in IT, Computer Science and Management offered at our Denver and Colorado Springs Campuses. Our BSIT-Security and MSIT Information Systems Security degrees are available online. On the policy side, our Master of Science in Management in Homeland Security offers a concentration that focuses on cyber security policy and legal issues.