Curriculum in Information Assurance

The Center for Telecommunications and Network Security (CTANS) offers a 15-credit hour Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance, drawing on the expertise of faculty from Oklahoma State University's Spears School of Business; the Computer Science department of the College of Arts and Sciences; and the Electrical Engineering department of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology.

Multiple degree programs at OSU may have a concentration or emphases in information assurance, including the Master of Science in Computer Science; the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering; the Master of Science in Management and Information Systems; and the Master of Science in Telecommunications Management. Contact the respective academic advisors for more information:

Computer Science: Dr. John Chandler
Electrical Engineering: Dr. R.G. Ramakumar
Management and Information Systems: Dr. Meg Kletke
Telecommunications Management: Dr. Mark Weiser

Course Roll Out
Below is the curricula for the certificate program listed in the suggested sequence, with optional course electives. This sequence assumes a fall admission, with courses available through distance learning, and on the Stillwater and Tulsa campuses.

Curriculum Options

Required Course TCOM 5123 Telecommunications Systems: The Upper Layers

Choose twelve credits
TCOM 5223 Information Assurance Management
TCOM 5233 Applied Information Systems Security
TCOM 5243 Information Technology Forensics
TCOM 5253 Information Technology Risk Analysis and Mitigation
TCOM 5273 Legal & Ethical Issues in Information Assurance

Subject to availability
TCOM 5310 *NIX Administration Lab
TCOM 5320 Infrastructure Security Lab
TCOM 5330 Linux Lab
TCOM 5340 Security Lab
TCOM 5350 Advanced Telecommunications Laboratory
TCOM 5360 Wireless Communications Lab
TCOM 5370 Windows Security Lab
TCOM 5380 Operating Systems

Suggested Sequence

TCOM 5233 Applied Information Systems Security
An investigation into the various technical aspects of attacking, and of guarding against attacks and failures in various types of information systems. Course content may vary but will generally include computer, network, and data protection technologies (e.g., firewalls, packet filters, proxy servers, user authentication and validation techniques, encryption, backup methodologies, system and component redundancies, etc). Various threats and attack methods will be examined.

TCOM 5243 Information Technology Forensics
This courses teaches students how to review networks and systems to determine their level of security and propose changes to enhance that security without significantly impeding usability or a prohibitive increase in cost. The course further teaches students to investigate system breaches and crimes that have been committed on IT platforms.

TCOM 5223 Information Assurance
A broad investigation of the elements of information assurance and security with an emphasis on the management impact to corporations and businesses engaged in the information services and e-commerce. Students should come away from the course with the ability to advise management on the risks and mitigation for all types of threats to information and privacy.

TCOM 5253 Information Technology Risk Analysis and Mitigation
This course looks at factors of risk analysis in IT and how management can plan to achieve a certain level of risk. It also reviews how different factors of risk can be mitigated through intervening procedures or technologies.

TCOM 5273 Legal & Ethical Issues in Information Assurance
This course reviews the current status of information systems law in regard to rights of privacy, freedom of information, confidentiality, work product protection, copyright, security, legal liability, and a range of additional legal and information policy topics. We will investigate the legal difficulties that technological innovations are causing in all of these areas. Legal options for dealing with the conflicts caused by technological change and likely adaptations of the law over time in response to societal changes will be explored.

First Summer Semester - if needed

TCOM 5123 Telecommunications Systems: The Upper Layers
Applied technical coverage of selected topics from the upper layers of the OSI model. The emphasis is on the Network and Transport layers, using TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, and Mete, as well as security issues and other multi-layer protocol suites. Other topics include flow control, RSVP, encryption, compression, and LAN/WAN applications.

Second Fall Semester: Choose three or more if needed

TCOM 5233 Applied Information Systems Security
An investigation into the various technical aspects of attacking, and of guarding against attacks and failures in various types of information systems. Course content may vary but will generally include computer, network, and data protection technologies (e.g., firewalls, packet filters, proxy servers, user authentication and validation techniques, encryption, backup methodologies, system and component redundancies, etc). Various threats and attack methods will be examined.

TCOM 5243 Information Technology Forensics
This courses teaches students how to review networks and systems to determine their level of security and propose changes to enhance that security without significantly impeding usability or a prohibitive increase in cost. The course further teaches students to investigate system breaches and crimes that have been committed on IT platforms.

Certificates, Concentrations, Emphasis and
Degrees in Info Assurance Management

There are a number of options for students and working professionals wanting to obtain or enhance current skills in information security. Two degree programs in Spears School of Business allow students to concentrate and emphasize informtion assurance courses: the Master of Science in Telecommunications Management and the Master of Science in Management and Information Systems. Other degree programs at OSU include Computer Science from the College of Arts and Sciences and Electrical and Computer Engineering from the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology.

In addition, Oklahoma State University's technical branch campus in Okmulgee, Oklahoma has established a Bachelor of Technology in Information Assurance and Forensics degree, a technology intensive, application focused baccalaureate degree.

Information Assurance and Associated Program Links
Master of Science in Telecommunications Management
Master of Science in Management and Information Systems
Bachelor of Technology in Information Assurance and Forensics
Computer Science Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Curriculum Supporting Sites
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE)
SANS Institute
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
The National Information Assurance Training and Education Center

Updated: January 10, 2008

Center for Telecommunications and Network Security © 2006