
Online Master of Science Computer Engineering: Network Security
Online
DURATION
10 Months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
USD 25,000
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Scholarships
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Introduction
Cyberattacks are surging in all categories of the digital sphere and are likely to become more frequent and damaging. With ongoing high-profile attacks on network management companies, the critical need for professionals who can counteract, contain, and even prevent network breaches has moved to the forefront, highlighting the great need for graduates with an M.S. in Computer Engineering.
The urgency to help stop the breaches has the current federal administration moving to boost critical infrastructure. Collaborative work is being initiated across agencies to ensure new methods are used to prevent attacks. In the private sector, corporations have accepted the reality that it is not if a breach occurs, but when. As such, demand for graduates with the most current knowledge of hacking, malware, etc., and the skills to reverse and prevent network attacks, is steadily rising.
You can become an indispensable industry leader with a Master of Science in Computer Engineering with a concentration in Network Security. FIU's fully online program allows you to earn your specialized master's degree in just 10 months. The highly relevant and continually evolving curriculum includes courses in ethical hacking, forensics, network security, and malware analysis. With your master's degree in network security, you'll have the advanced skills you need to protect and defend networks from attacks and take on a leadership role.
You'll also be prepared to acquire the most in-demand professional certifications, including Network+, Security+, and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
Our engineering faculty members are leaders in network security, with years of experience as computer engineers working in the public, private, and government sectors. With our renowned faculty providing feedback and guidance every step of the way, your FIU Online experience is one we share with you.
Why Apply?
Concerns about network security are keeping computer engineers in high demand. As cyber-attacks have become more sophisticated, network security specialists with advanced training will be among the most sought-after professionals in the field.
- The current geopolitical situation increased the demand for more cybersecurity professionals/experts (software developers, vulnerability testers, network engineers, and cybersecurity analysts), who were already in high demand prior to the pandemic
- There are nearly 600,000 cybersecurity job openings that are unfilled. More than 90% is in the private sector.
- In the last 12 months, job openings have increased 29%, more than double the rate of growth between 2018 and 2019
- State of Florida is in the top 5 states in the country with the most cybersecurity job openings (30K) after Texas (67K), California (63K), and Virginia (53K)
- The Department of Homeland Security changed its pay scale to compete with the industry and is hiring cyber professionals with pay up to $255K, equivalent to the salary of VP Kamala Harris. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for an Information Security Analyst is $102K as of May 2021.
Graduates of this fully online program will be able to pursue supervisory positions in information infrastructure assurance and security, which include such titles as security administrator, information security manager, network security engineer, data security analyst, or systems application security analyst. Career opportunities are far-reaching and include technology and Internet companies, security software companies, defense contractors, government departments and intelligence agencies, the e-commerce sector, and banks and credit card companies.
The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Florida International University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
Admissions
Curriculum
Thirty credits are required for completion
The MS program consists of six eight-week terms. Students enroll in 4 courses (12 credits) each semester, which is the equivalence of two courses each term. A total of 30 credit hours, including two components: the Computer Engineering Core (24 semester hours) and Math Electives (6 semester hours). Up to 6 semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred into the master’s program.
Core Courses
Fall Semester
Term - Dynamic A
Advanced IoT Communications and Networking TCN 5271 - This course presents advanced paradigms in terms of communication of IoT devices and the underlying networking protocols. Topics covered include IoT platforms, applications, and protocol stack.
Advanced Malware Reverse Engineering EEL 6805 - Expose the student to various techniques and procedures employed in the practice of software analysis to detect and remove affected code. The areas explored will consist of trends in malicious code growth, common attack vectors, surface analysis of malware, run-time analysis of malware, system monitoring, debuggers, static reverse engineering of malware, and disassemblers to identify obfuscation techniques and Anti-reversing methods.
Term - Dynamic B
Random Signal Principles EEE 5543 - Noise, random processes, correlation, spectral analysis in the analysis and design of communication systems. Optimization techniques, and minimum mean square error.
Social, Economic, and Policy Aspects of Cybersecurity CIS 5208 - Cybersecurity is not just a technical problem as it occurs in the context of humans and human society. The course explores the implications of cybersecurity in a much broader sense, including social, economic, and legal aspects: for example, the transformation of traditional expectations of privacy due to social networking and digital surveillance. In addition, the focus is on how human factors affect cybersecurity in terms of the usability of the technology, user psychology, and social engineering threats.
Spring Semester
Term - Dynamic A
Computer Communication Networks EEL 5718 - System engineering synthesis, analysis, and evaluation of computer-communication networks. Network design, routing, and flow control, telecommunication traffic engineering, transmission, switching, etc.
Advanced Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures EEL 5807 - The latest hacking tools and techniques to understand the anatomy of computer attacks and countermeasures to protect valuable data. Understanding different attack vectors using hands-on techniques and tools that a hacker utilizes to attack computing devices in order to steal valuable and private information.
Term - Dynamic B
Network Security EEL 6787 - Network security requirements, Number Theory, steganography, encryption design principles, and algorithms, message authentication and digital signature principles and designs, and network system security design.
Practical Applied Security CNT 5415 - Hands-on training in practical installation and maintenance of secure systems, including such topics as security configuration, DMZs, firewalls, anti-virus software, and hardware security modules.
Summer Semester
Term - Dynamic A
Advanced Digital Forensics EEL 6803 - This course provides students with the advanced skills to track and counter a wide range of sophisticated threats including espionage, hacktivism, financial crime syndication, and APT groups. To understand advanced digital forensics engineering techniques, how to provide responses to incidents occurring in enterprises, and perform timeline analysis, memory forensics, and intrusion forensics.
Advanced Systems Theory EEL 5171 - State-space representations for continuous and discrete-time systems, controllability and observability, pole-zero allocation, Lyapunov stability theorem, state observers.
Rankings
- Top 25 Best Value Online Engineering Master’s, ValueColleges.com, 2020
- #6 Best Computer Engineering Colleges in Florida, Universities.com, 2020
- #8 Best Colleges for Computer Engineering in Florida, CollegeFactual.com, 2020
- # 14 in the nation for Best Online Master's in Computer Engineering Programs, BestColleges.com, 2019
- #10 in the nation for Best Value Online Master's in Computer Engineering, BestValueSchools.com, 2019
- #5 in the nation for Best Online Master’s in Computer Engineering Degrees, CollegeChoice.net, 2018
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Information Security Manager, Network Security Administrator, Network Security Engineer, Data Security Analyst, Systems Application Security Analyst, Lead Software Security Engineer, Chief Information Security Officer, Global Information Security Director, IT Security Consultant, Ethical Hacker.
Non-traditional Career Paths
- Artificial Intelligence Specialist
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- Game Designer
- Website Developer