Graduate Certificate in Cyber Defense and Information Assurance

Gain practical training in cyber defense with the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Defense and Information Assurance in Temple University’s College of Science and Technology. This 12-credit, interdisciplinary certificate program is designed for current working technical professionals at any level of their career seeking the necessary skills to protect businesses, organizations and governments from ever-increasing cyber threats. 

The curriculum focuses on network security and digital forensics and aims to bridge the gap between cybersecurity technology and cybersecurity policies. You’ll develop expertise across different academic disciplines, including business, computer and information sciences, electrical and computer engineering, and law. Construct and maintain cybersecurity frameworks focused on preventive, detective and corrective security mechanisms.

Graduates of the program can 

• apply security forensics principles and practices to applications and networks;
• comply with industry standards;
• document findings and make recommendations on applications and systems security; and
• identify network and application vulnerabilities.

In addition to the substantial use of technology in the program, you’ll also study compliance, ethics, policy and regulation for a comprehensive understanding of this rapidly growing field. 

In our digital world, the number of cyber threats on our computer systems and information privacy increases. Through the Cyber Defense and Information Assurance Graduate Certificate program, you’ll prepare to design and maintain systems that safeguard against accidental or malicious modification, destruction or disclosure.

Classes & Curriculum

All classes for the Cyber Defense and Information Assurance Graduate Certificate are held after 4:30 p.m. on Temple’s Main Campus. 

The following four courses are required but students can replace one course with a graduate-level course with approval from their advisor.

• Comp Systems Security & Privacy 
• Ethical Hacking and Intrusion Forensics 
• Introduction to Digital Forensics 
• Operating Systems and Architecture 

Learn more about classes in the Cyber Defense and Information Assurance Graduate Certificate.

Careers

Professionals skilled in cybersecurity are in high demand, leading to an increase in job opportunities for graduates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 32% increase in employment for information security analysts between 2018 and 2028.

Graduates of the Cyber Defense and Information Assurance Graduate Certificate are prepared for the following careers.

• Computer security forensic investigator
• Cybersecurity systems engineer
• Information security officer
• Information technology network security penetration tester
• Security analyst or cybersecurity analyst