Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity

This track covers computer hardware and operating systems, cybersecurity 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.

• 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

• 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

• Internship/Thesis

Potential employers include:

• Crowe, LLC
• GreyCastle Security
• Kroll
• RSM US, LLP
• Security Risk Advisors
• BlueCross
• GE Healthcare
• United Health
• General Electric (GE)
• Naval Nuclear Laboratory
• NYISO
• Central Hudson Gas & Electric
• Con Edison
• Schneider Electric

Additional Program Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

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

Cybersecurity Scholarship

Up to 20 full-time students who begin the MS in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity program in the fall of 2022 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.

Scholarship winners will be announced in January 2023.

See the scholarship application for details. For more information, contact [email protected].

This track prepares you for proactive threat hunting and offensive/defensive operations. You will learn how to identify adversary motivations, actively identify network surveillance and advanced persistent threats, exploit adversary vulnerabilities, respond to nation state attacks, and understand the national/international legal parameters relevant to cyberattacks.

By the end of the program, you will be well equipped to work in intelligence agencies, security operation centers and consulting firms.

• Advanced Networking
• Cyberlaw and Ethics
• Hacking for Penetration Testers
• Reverse Engineering Malware
• Cyber Threat Hunting
• SCADA Vulnerability Exploitation
• Introduction to Information and Cyber Security
• Mathematical Methods for Information Security

• 6 credits in an internship or thesis

Choose two:

• Open Source Intelligence and Social Network Analysis (OSINT and SNA)
• Memory Forensics and Analysis
• International Cyber Conflicts
• Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) Forensics
• Multimedia Forensic;
• Computer Forensics

Potential employers include:

• FireEye
• Rapid7
• Unit 42 (Palo Alto Networks)

Additional Program Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

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

This track covers the collection, preservation and analysis of data found in electronic devices. You will also learn the concepts of handling digital forensics cases and managing a forensics lab. This track requires a background in the area of digital forensics, programming, data analysis, networking and databases from prior coursework or work experience.

By the end of the program, you will be well equipped to work in forensics laboratories, police agencies, forensics consulting firms and federal law enforcement agencies. 

• Data Analytics for Cyber Security OR Business Analytics and Data Mining
• System Administration and Operating System Concepts
• Mobile Forensics
• Memory Forensics and Analysis
• Multimedia Forensics
• Digital Forensics & Quality Lab Management
• Computer Forensics
• Introduction to Information and Cyber Security

• 6 credits in an internship or thesis

Choose two:

• Database Security and Forensics
• Open Source Intelligence and Social Network Analysis (OSINT and SNA)
• Cyberlaw and Ethics
• Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) Forensics
• Cloud Security & Forensics
• Incident Handling

Potential employers include:

• Basis Technology
• FTI Consulting
• Pfizer
• SONY
• TransPerfect
• United Nations
• Verisk
• Albany District Attorney

Additional Program Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

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

This track covers policy and risk management, with a focus on how cyber incidents and cybersecurity programs impact the security of organizations and government. It also incorporates a focus on homeland security.

By the end of the program, you will be equipped for occupations such as security manager, IT project manager, emergency management director, document control/management specialist or cybersecurity analyst.

Core Courses (27 credits)

• Advanced Networking and Security OR Advanced Networking  
• Information Security and Privacy OR Introduction to Information and Cybersecurity
• Human Aspects of Cybersecurity OR Psychology of Security
• Principles and Practices of Cybersecurity
• Information Security Compliance Auditing
• Computer and Network Security
• IT and Homeland Security
• Cybersecurity Risk and Policy
• Cybersecurity: Long Term Planning and Risk Management

Cybersecurity Tool (3 credits)

Choose ONE:

• Hacking for Penetration Testers
• Computer Forensics
• Incident Handling
• Fundamentals of Information Technology (3 one-credit modules)

Electives (3 credits)

Choose ONE:

• Cyberlaw & Ethics
• Cyber Threat Hunting
• Cyber Physical Systems Security
• Cybersecurity Policy, Law and Institutions
• Cyber Threats and Intelligence
• Prevention and Protection Strategies in Cybersecurity
• Cybersecurity Practicum

Thesis Project or Internship (3 credits)

Additional Program Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact [email protected].

This track prepares you to apply security analytics, risk assessment and policy management to protecting health information.

By the end of the program, you will be equipped for occupations such as health information security director, health IT project manager or cybersecurity analyst for medical records.

Core Courses (27 credits)

• Advanced Networking and Security OR Advanced Networking
• Cyber Physical Systems Security
• Information Security and Privacy OR Introduction to Information and Cybersecurity
• Principles and Practices of Cybersecurity
• Information Security Compliance Auditing
• Computer and Network Security
• Cybersecurity Risk and Policy
• Health Information Technology
• Topics in Health Policy & Mgt: Health Analytics

Cybersecurity Tool (3 credits)

Choose ONE:

• Hacking for Penetration Testers
• Computer Forensics
• Incident Handling
• Fundamentals of Information Technology (3 one-credit modules)

Electives (3 credits)

Choose ONE:

• Human Aspects of Cybersecurity OR Psychology of Security
• Cyber Threat Hunting
• Cybersecurity Policy, Law and Institutions
• Prevention and Protection Strategies in Cybersecurity
• Cybersecurity Practicum

Thesis Project or Internship (3 credits)

Additional Program Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact [email protected].