Master of Science

Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity

Stop Hackers and Preserve Sensitive Data

Launch your career as an information technology security analyst, cyber defense manager, or forensic examiner in the private or public sector.

UAlbany’s master’s in digital forensics and cybersecurity will teach you how to rapidly detect and deter malicious network intruders and use special forensics tools to gather and analyze digital evidence.

Program of Study
Career Paths
Why Enroll?
Scholarship
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Program of Study

This program includes 30 credits of coursework over two semesters followed by a 6-credit summer internship or thesis in which you solve real-world problems.

You can complete this master’s degree full-time in 12 months or part-time over a longer period. Evening classes are available to all students enrolled in the program.

Choose from one of three specialization options: digital forensics, cyber defense, or cyber operations.

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact Zina Lawrence at [email protected].

Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity students working in a computer lab

Specializations

Digital Forensics Track

This track covers computer hardware systems and file formats; forensic operations and quality standards, mobile devices and internet of things systems, memory collection and preservation techniques, data analysis, and forensic tool testing and validation.

By the end of the program, you’ll know how to extract data from digital devices, accurately analyze data to support criminal investigations, sanitize data for privacy protection, and protect systems against threats.

Fall Courses

Advanced Data Analysis
System Administration and Operating System Concepts
Cyber Threats and Defense
Computer Forensics
Open Source Intelligence and Social Network Analysis
Database Security and Forensics

Spring Courses

Digital Forensics Lab Management
Memory Forensics and Analysis
Mobile Forensics
Multimedia Forensics
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Security and Forensics
Cloud Security and Forensics
Cyber Law and Ethics
Cyber Incident Analysis

Summer Courses

Internship/Thesis

Cyber Defense Track

This track covers computer hardware and operating systems, cyber security threats and controls, network monitoring, vulnerability scanning, anomaly and intrusion detection, incident response methods, and machine learning and artificial intelligence in cyber defense.

By the end of the program, you’ll know how to set up a monitoring system and analyze network traffic, identify system threats, analyze cybersecurity incidents, reverse engineer malware, manage risks, and develop regulation-compliant security policies.

Fall Courses

Advanced Data Analysis
System Administration and Operating System Concepts
Cyber Threats and Defense
Computer Forensics
Open Source Intelligence and Social Network Analysis
Database Security and Forensics

Spring Courses

Information Security Analysis
Cyber Incident Analysis
Security Implementation
Hacking for Penetration Testers (TBH2)
SCADA Security and Forensics
Cloud Security and Forensics
Cyber Law and Ethics
Cyber Incident Analysis

Summer Courses

Internship/Thesis

Cyber Operations Track

This track covers security techniques and architecture, intrusion detection systems and firewalls, threat analysis, algorithm design, penetration testing, symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, digital signatures, cryptographic key management, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) programming.

By the end of the program, you’ll know how to test information system defenses, identify and mitigate malicious activity, secure embedded systems from unauthorized access, protect data with cryptographic protocols, attack operating systems via Linux, and gather information about perpetrators using open source intelligence.

Fall Courses

Advanced Networking
Cyber Threats and Defense
Reverse Engineering Malware
Mathematic Models for Information Security
Open Source Intelligence and Social Network Analysis
SCADA Security and Forensics
Computer Forensics

Spring Courses

Cyber Threat Hunting
SCADA Vulnerability Exploitation
Cyber Law and Ethics
Hacking for Penetration Testers (TBH2)
International Cyber Conflicts
Memory Forensics and Analysis
Multimedia Forensics

Summer Courses

Internship/Thesis

Career Paths

Virtually every enterprise in operation today relies on computer systems and digital networks to stay in business.

This means that millions of trained cybersecurity and digital forensics experts are needed to set up and maintain protected information systems across all industries and in global corporations, small companies, nonprofit organizations, and federal, state, and local government offices.

Because national security depends on corporations and governments preventing criminal access to large-scale industrial and critical infrastructure systems, graduates of this program enjoy many employment opportunities in public utilities companies, nuclear power plants, water distribution departments, and communication networks.

Sample Employers

Center for Internet Security
Ernst and Young
General Electric
Rational Enterprises
Albany Medical Center
GreyCastle
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Forensics Analytics of Complex Energy & Transportation Systems
UAlbany Information and Technology Services

Why should I enroll in this program?

Many students completing their undergraduate studies at UAlbany and other colleges and universities see the value in earning this specialized master’s before they join the workforce.

The program is especially attractive to recent graduates with degrees in emergency preparedness, homeland security, cybersecurity, applied engineering, mathematics, and computer science.

If you’re earning your bachelor’s in digital forensics at UAlbany, you’ll have an even greater advantage in the job market with this graduate degree on your resume.

If you’re an early- or mid-career working professional wanting to advance your career, you can finish the program part-time by registering for evening classes.

Not ready to commit to a master's program? Get ahead by completing the five-course graduate certificate in information security, and then apply your credits to the master’s program when you’re ready.

Cybersecurity Scholarship

scholarship

Up to 20 full-time students who begin the MS in Digital Forensics program in the fall of 2021 will be eligible for a $5,000 competitive scholarship, nearly half the cost of the master’s program, through a grant from the National Security Agency.

All students who submit a scholarship application and successfully complete five program courses with an overall GPA of 3.0/B or higher will be considered. Recipients will be selected prior to the start of the program, contingent on meeting the grade requirement.

A review committee will evaluate applications based on academic merit and community engagement with some scholarships reserved for underserved minorities and veterans. Scholarship winners will be announced in January 2022.

If you are interested in the scholarship, please apply for the MS in Digital Forensics program first. Next, fill out the scholarship application in its entirety. Then, submit a resume and a one-to-two-page essay (single-spaced, 1-inch margin on all sides, and minimum 11-point font) which discusses your past accomplishments, your motivation for the MS program, your future goals and your community service activities to [email protected].

International Students

This degree is designated as a STEM program. International students maintaining F-1 status are allowed to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion/graduation from their degree program. Currently, this degree program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension; students who secure qualifying employment may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.

Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity

UAlbany is a designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program at the National Security Agency (NSA). This designation recognizes our superior standards and abilities to educate the future cyber workforce.

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

Fall: May 15
Spring: Not Available
Summer: Not Available

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

Required Application Materials

Transcripts from all schools attended
Three letters of recommendation
Resume
Personal Statement
Official GMAT or GRE scores*
All other listed admission criteria remain applicable. An additional requirement for admitted students is that all incoming students must successfully complete pre-semester orientations that cover foundational concepts.

*The GRE will be waived as a requirement for admission to the Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity program for Fall 2021 applicants.

Available information for International Applicants.

Special Notes

Must have undergraduate degrees in computer security, information assurance, digital forensic, cyber security, computer science, information science, computer engineering, business, or MIS/Information Technology Management.

This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.

Student Learning Objectives

Master of Science

Students will demonstrate comprehension of top five foundational concepts in information technology, including programming, operating systems, cryptography, databases, and networking.
Students will be able to report ideas in written, oral, web, and interactive formats to diverse audiences.
Students will have operational knowledge of cybersecurity tools in the domains of anti-virus, anti-malware, network defense, intrusion detection, and encryption.
Students will be able to conduct security risk analysis and audits aimed at both assessment and mitigation of risks.
Students will be able to collect and analyze forensic data in order to establish timelines and artifacts across a range of digital devices and formats.
Students will be able to prepare digital forensics incident response policies for businesses and governmental agencies.