Cybersecurity Minor

Why Minor in Cybersecurity?

Everything we do these days uses technology. From the phones in our pockets to the cars we drive to the watches on our wrists, we rely on technology for day-to-day convenience. We rely so much on convenience that we often overlook security. That’s where cybersecurity comes in.  

At Westminster College, we provide a specialized curriculum, designed for you to modernize the approach we take in combining the disciplines of computing, software engineering, and information systems. Build a network, write a program, and hack a computer. You can do it all with our cybersecurity minor. 

A minor in Cybersecurity at Westminster will enhance the skills of students in any discipline by preparing them to be knowledgeable consumers of digital resources and aware of the associated risks.  The issues of Cybersecurity are not unique to any one type of organization.  Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governments all face security issues related to computing technology.  Social organizations, clubs, and political groups face similar issues.  Students who complete a minor in Cybersecurity will be prepared to identify cyber risks to an organization and work with information technology security specialists to protect the digital assets of that organization.   

This minor will enhance the skills of students in any discipline by preparing them to be knowledgeable consumers of digital resources and aware of the associated risks.  All disciplines rely on digital communication, files, and other assets, and this program is designed to support any major of which digital assets are a component 

Students completing a minor in Cybersecurity will acquire knowledge and skills in demand in the workplace.  Hands-on tasks, lab assignments, and ethical hacking activities introduce the student to digital tools used for risk avoidance and detection.  In the upper-level courses, students learn how to perform security risk assessments for an organization and develop appropriate security policies at the organizational level.  Ethical, legal, and current issues related to Cybersecurity are presented in all classes.  Students who desire further study may complete independent studies or internships as part of their study. 

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capitol building in DC, a career opportunity in the security studies program
Career Opportunities

Recent graduates have gone on to graduate programs, law schools to study national security law, have joined the military, and have obtained employment in professional security for critical infrastructure.

Classroom Experiences

Cybersecurity Lab 

All courses offered through the Department of Computing and Digital Technology take place in one of our department’s computer laboratories.  You will use computers in every class.  Our dedicated Cybersecurity Lab provides a secure environment for study. 

More Than 1s and 0s 

The Department of Computing and Digital Technology at Westminster College offers a wide variety of courses that will have you more than prepared to enter a workforce dominated by computing. Step out into the world and use your cybersecurity knowledge for good. Become anything you want, from a Digital Forensics Analyst to a Certified Ethical Hacker.  

In the Classroom 

Activities in the classroom include: 

  • Case Study Analysis 
  • Network Infrastructure Creation 
  • Programming 
  • Ethical Hacking 

“Jobs are on the rise in the Cybersecurity field, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects information security analyst employment to increase 32% through 2028 (Occupational Outlook Handbook 2019). With data breeches on the rise, and laws and policies maintaining privacy becoming more complex, having a minor in cybersecurity will allow students to secure a wide variety of opportunities for employment or graduate school admission.”

 


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The successful Cybersecurity student is one who has an interest in technology and appreciates using technology for personal or professional tasks.  Students will develop personal skills include critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and ability to work in teams.  Students will use computer forensic tools for monitoring and detecting system attacks.  Performing policy analyses and development requires the ability to view all areas of an organization at the strategic, functional, and operational level. 
No prerequisites are required before declaring this minor.  The program assumes no prior technical knowledge. 
To earn a minor in Cybersecurity, the student must complete 18 hours of approved coursework consisting of fundamental concepts, hands-on computer activities, and policy analyses and development. 
This minor is relevant to any major, but will certainly be of interest to students majoring in Accounting, Business, Global Transnational Studies, Mathematical Data Science, Political Science, Security Studies, and related disciplines.  Students in pursuing careers in business and/or non-profit administration would be benefit from learning the skills acquired through this minor.  Students interested in disciplines relying heavily on research, such as education, the sciences, and health professions would benefit from learning how to protect and safely use data resources.