Information Security
Prepare for roles defending organizations against cyber threats — security analyst, security engineer, and incident response positions.
Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics & Natural Sciences
Cybersecurity
Department Chair: Dr. Margaret Reese
Cybersecurity is the study of protecting digital information and infrastructure from unauthorized access, attack, and misuse. The major builds a strong programming and systems foundation, then moves into dedicated coursework in threat identification, network security, ethical hacking, and the legal and ethical considerations that come with the field.
Students complete core programming and mathematics requirements alongside Cybersecurity's own course sequence — starting with fundamentals and Unix systems, then advancing into networking, operating systems security, and penetration testing. Graduates are prepared for a range of careers in this fast-growing field.
A Cybersecurity minor is also available and can be paired with any major except Computer Science and Computer Information Systems, which already build cybersecurity coursework into their own curricula.
Requirements
CS 112
Computer Programming I
4 hrs
CS 212
Computer Programming II
4 hrs
CYB 101
Cybersecurity Basics
4 hrs
CYB 230
Unix Operating System
4 hrs
CYB 301
Cybersecurity Essentials and Tools
4 hrs
CS 489
Research in Computer Science
4 hrs
CYB Electives
Three of: CYB 320 Cyber Networks and Communication · CYB 389 Advanced Topics in Cybersecurity · CYB 423 Operating Systems Security and Administration · CYB 445 Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing · CYB 470 Internship in Cybersecurity
12 hrs
CS Elective
One of: CS 310 Introduction to Computer Systems · CS 311 Data Structures · other 300/400-level CS courses as approved by advisor
4 hrs
CS 107
Introduction to Python Programming
4 hrs
Calculus
One of: MATH 135 Calculus with Precalculus Part I · MATH 171 Calculus I
4 hrs
Math/Logic Elective
One of: MATH 172 Calculus II · CS 205 Foundations of Logic and Proof
4 hrs
MATH 210
Introductory Statistics
4 hrs
Total Hours Required
56
This minor can be combined with any major except Computer Science and Computer Information Systems.
CS 112
Computer Programming I
4 hrs
CYB 101
Cybersecurity Basics
4 hrs
CYB 230
Unix Operating System
4 hrs
CYB Electives
Two 300/400-level Cybersecurity (CYB) courses
8 hrs
Total Hours Required
20
Career Outcomes
Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing
Coursework in ethical hacking and penetration testing prepares students for offensive security roles that test and strengthen organizational defenses.
Network & Systems Security
Build expertise in network defense, operating systems security, and Unix administration for careers in network and systems security.
Government & Defense
Hampton Roads' concentration of military, intelligence, and defense organizations offers strong opportunities for cybersecurity graduates in government and defense roles.
Faculty
Cybersecurity is the study of protecting digital information and infrastructure from unauthorized access, attack, and misuse. The major builds a strong programming and systems foundation, then moves into dedicated coursework in threat identification, network security, ethical hacking, and the legal and ethical considerations that come with the field.
Students complete core programming and mathematics requirements alongside Cybersecurity's own course sequence — starting with fundamentals and Unix systems, then advancing into networking, operating systems security, and penetration testing. Graduates are prepared for a range of careers in this fast-growing field.
A Cybersecurity minor is also available and can be paired with any major except Computer Science and Computer Information Systems, which already build cybersecurity coursework into their own curricula.
Requirements
CS 112
Computer Programming I
4 hrs
CS 212
Computer Programming II
4 hrs
CYB 101
Cybersecurity Basics
4 hrs
CYB 230
Unix Operating System
4 hrs
CYB 301
Cybersecurity Essentials and Tools
4 hrs
CS 489
Research in Computer Science
4 hrs
CYB Electives
Three of: CYB 320 Cyber Networks and Communication · CYB 389 Advanced Topics in Cybersecurity · CYB 423 Operating Systems Security and Administration · CYB 445 Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing · CYB 470 Internship in Cybersecurity
12 hrs
CS Elective
One of: CS 310 Introduction to Computer Systems · CS 311 Data Structures · other 300/400-level CS courses as approved by advisor
4 hrs
CS 107
Introduction to Python Programming
4 hrs
Calculus
One of: MATH 135 Calculus with Precalculus Part I · MATH 171 Calculus I
4 hrs
Math/Logic Elective
One of: MATH 172 Calculus II · CS 205 Foundations of Logic and Proof
4 hrs
MATH 210
Introductory Statistics
4 hrs
Total Hours Required
56
This minor can be combined with any major except Computer Science and Computer Information Systems.
CS 112
Computer Programming I
4 hrs
CYB 101
Cybersecurity Basics
4 hrs
CYB 230
Unix Operating System
4 hrs
CYB Electives
Two 300/400-level Cybersecurity (CYB) courses
8 hrs
Total Hours Required
20
Career Outcomes
Information Security
Prepare for roles defending organizations against cyber threats — security analyst, security engineer, and incident response positions.
Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing
Coursework in ethical hacking and penetration testing prepares students for offensive security roles that test and strengthen organizational defenses.
Network & Systems Security
Build expertise in network defense, operating systems security, and Unix administration for careers in network and systems security.
Government & Defense
Hampton Roads' concentration of military, intelligence, and defense organizations offers strong opportunities for cybersecurity graduates in government and defense roles.
Faculty