Designing and implementing an undergraduate program in information systems security

摘要

This paper describes development and delivery of the curriculum for a four-year undergraduate program in applied Information Sciences which comprises all the aspects of information systems security. After the first generation of students graduated in 2008, the program was evaluated by using multiple methods, including an exploration of the challenges and successes the program underwent in the process. By reflecting on the established need for such a program and how it evolved historically, the authors set up a baseline for comparing this program with other related programs in the field as well as with known information systems security curriculum models. While this curriculum continues to be modified in response to requirements from the job market and input from industry experts, some challenges for the program remain, such as scarcity of qualified instructors to ensure seamless program delivery, having students with varied educational backgrounds in the same class, and underrepresentation of females. Program curriculum details and useful experiential conclusions are also provided.