Information Assurance Concentration
Data is growing exponentially in our tech-powered world. Businesses, governments and nonprofits are vulnerable to cyberthreats. They need you to protect their digital assets.
Our universal reliance on an array of information channels makes the task of securing them a worldwide priority. Our information assurance concentration will provide the foundation you need for a career in digital information security, working with experts to identify and reduce risks.
By completing the information assurance concentration, you will also earn an advanced graduate certificate.
Be Career Ready
- Develop a strong, interdisciplinary information assurance foundation
- Understand the technical, legal, socio-political and managerial issues of complex digital security issues
- Master the principles needed to ensure effective and secure networks, operating systems, software and hardware
- Develop skills in applied cryptography, critical infrastructure decision-making and object-oriented analysis and design
- Become a leader in detecting system vulnerabilities and protecting sensitive data
- Delve into digital forensics to gain skills in authenticating and analyzing digital evidence
- Acquire leadership competencies to lead a diverse, cross-functional information technology team
Scholarships for Information Assurance Students
UB graduate students are eligible to receive an award up to $34,000 through the CyberCorps: Scholarships for Service program funded by the National Science Foundation.
Concentration Requirements
The Information Assurance concentration requires five courses total (15 credits), MGS 650, MGS 651, MGS 610 and two electives from the courses listed under the electives tab. Once complete, students must complete The Graduate School approval form to receive the certificate.
*For the UB Advanced Graduate Certificate Program in Information Assurance, refer to this link: https://cse.buffalo.edu/caeiae/advanced_certificate_program.htm
View/search courses and descriptions.
Required Courses
MGS 610LEC Digital Forensics
This is an introductory course in Digital Forensics where students will learn how to acquire, authenticate and analyze digital evidence. Technical and managerial topics will be explored, providing students with both theoretical and practical hands-on experience using forensic equipment and software. The additional topics of E-Discovery, Data Retention, Litigation, Internal Investigations, Regulatory Compliance and Incident Response will also be discussed within the context of Digital Forensics. EnCase, Access Data FTK and other open source forensic software programs are used in this course.
Credits: 3.00
Semesters offered: Spring 2020
Spring 2020 (01/27/2020 - 05/08/2020)
| Reg. Num. | Section | Type | Topic | Days | Time | Location | Instructor |
| 24384 | S2S | LEC | W | 6:30 - 9:10 p.m. | Online | Wilshaw, Alex | |
| 15850 | S1S | LEC | W | 6:30 - 9:20 p.m. | Online | Sellitto, Dominic Michael |
MGS 650LEC Information Assurance
This is an interdisciplinary course in Information Assurance that has two primary objectives: 1) to introduce students to fundamental concepts, terminologies, IA models and practices. 2) to view how different fields of disciplines interact in this area. The course will familiarize students with the technical, legal, socio-political, and managerial issues of IA. Broadly, the issues that we will cover in this course include: security investigation and analysis; ethical, legal, and professional aspects of Information assurance; risk management and implementation and maintenance of information assurance.
Credits: 3.00
Semesters offered: Fall 2020
Pre-Requisite: MGS 602.
Fall 2020 (08/31/2020 - 12/11/2020)
| Reg. Num. | Section | Type | Topic | Days | Time | Location | Instructor |
| 18314 | F2S | LEC | TR | 5 - 6:20 p.m. | Norton 218 | Cleary, Kevin Patrick |
MGS 651LEC Managing Computer Networks
The area of computer networks is currently the fastest growing part of the MIS world. This course will discuss concepts in the management of computer networks. It is an introductory course which will discuss issues in designing computer networks, administration, network operating systems and network interconnection alternatives. A hardware lab on networking will provide a "hands-on" part of the course. The course will provide the MBA (MIS concentration) student with the foundation skills to develop a career in the field of networks through their exposure to network administration, design, pricing, etc. In addition, the hardware lab for hands on network administration is unique and is not available for student use anywhere else on campus. Course topics will be drawn from: introduction to microcomputers and Local Area Networks; LAN hardware, systems software, and installation; LAN administration; Wide Area Networks; and emerging technologies.
Credits: 3.00
Semesters offered: Spring 2020
Pre-Requisite: MGS 602 Or MGS 607 Or MGS 650.
Spring 2020 (01/27/2020 - 05/09/2020)
| Reg. Num. | Section | Type | Topic | Days | Time | Location | Instructor |
| 11332 | S1S | LEC | M | 6:30 - 9:10 p.m. | Online | Border, Charles B |