Information Assurance Concentration

The program is designed for undergraduate students in the B.S. in Computer Science or B.S.E. in Computer Systems Engineering program who want to pursue a thorough education in the area of information assurance. The goal of this concentration is to provide students the knowledge, skills and the advanced development capability in science and engineering for information assurance, including computer and network security, software security, data and information security, applied cryptography and computer forensics. Students will have a competitive advantage to pursue graduate study in related-research areas or to secure employment.

According to the National Security Agency, information assurance is defined as the set of measures intended to protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality and non-repudiation. This includes providing for restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection and reaction capabilities.

Information Assurance Concentration Requirements

A minimum of 15 credits with a “C” or higher in information assurance and related areas are required. Students must take the following 12 credits of coursework:

CSE 465: Information Assurance (3) – offered in Fall term
CSE 466: Computer Systems Security (3) – offered in Fall term
CSE 467: Data and Information Security (3) – offered in Spring term
CSE 468: Computer Network Security (3) – offered in Fall term

Students must choose one of the following five courses:

CSE 412: Database Management (3)
CSE 434: Computer Networks (3)
CSE 460: Software Analysis and Design (3)
CSE 463: Introduction to Human Computer Interaction (3)
CSE 471: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (3)

In addition, students are encouraged to complete a project in information assurance in their capstone courses (CSE 485/486 or CSE 423/424). Students in programs in catalog year 2005-2006 and earlier can work with an academic advisor for other options.

Student Opportunities

For information on internships and scholarship opportunities in information assurance, students can visit the National Security Agency’s Web site.

More Information

For more information on the information assurance concentration, students can make an appointment with an advisor by calling the SCI Advising Center at 480.965.3199 or sending an email to sci.advising@asu.edu.