About the JMU Information Security MBA

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Information technology is changing the business environment

Our civilization is undergoing fundamental transformations; how other humans communicate, how goods and currency are exchanged, our perception of time - everything is changing. The root cause behind all these changes is information technology.

Executives have the enormous challenge of leading organizations through this era. As ever, they need to lead people, think strategically, manage resources, and communicate clearly. But now that information technology has permeated every aspect of business, they need new skills and a new vision. And they need to understand how to protect the integrity of their transformed operations.

James Madison University is on the leading edge of information security education.

Since January 1997, JMU's College of Integrated Science and Technology has offered a master's degree in computer science concentrating in information security. The program was started under a grant from the National Security Agency and currently serves students from the Department of Defense, FBI, NSA, Defense Intelligence Agency and many private sector corporations. Moreover, the Center for Research in Information Systems Security Education makes its home in CISAT at JMU.

Why an Information Security MBA?

Until now the infosec expertise gap among management has never been addressed by higher education. By combining the Information Security expertise of CISAT with JMU's highly rated College of Business, this unprecedented graduate degree helps to create a new manager who understands the business implications of information security.

The MBA goes beyond tactical systems issues and positions infosec in the panorama of all business functions. This distinct perspective is a critical necessity for executives now that information technology has become the core of contemporary business practices.

Curriculum

Information Security will be in every course no matter if it's Organizational Behavior or Foundations of Marketing Management. Each and every course will focus on infosec issues. During the 14-course curriculum, four courses are solely dedicated to pure information security. And then the capstone course, Strategic Management, brings it all together to forge the new executive.

As the program grows and issues change, the curriculum will change with it. We will constantly update and fine-tune course content, sequencing and mix.

Objectives

The Infosec MBA focuses on managerial decision making, analytical problem solving, oral and written communication, and application of theoretical constructs all set in an infosec framework. Executives from industry, military and government who attain this degree will understand preservation of information confidentiality and protection, risk management, data and system integrity, availability, authenticity and utility all set against a strategic business background.

They will also be able to employ and manage infosec concepts, principles, methods, practices, procedures, and techniques while drawing from U.S. statutes, current or pending and an understanding of the different procedures followed by the private and public sectors.

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