The bachelor of science in Security and Risk Analysis (SRA) in the College of Information Sciences and Technology is intended to familiarize students with the general frameworks and multidisciplinary theories that define the area of security and related risk analyses. Courses in the major will engage students in the challenges and problems associated with assuring information confidentiality and integrity (e.g., social, economic, technology-related, and policy issues), as well as the strengths and weaknesses of various methods for assessing and mitigating associated risk.
The major provides a grounding in the analysis and modeling efforts used in information search, visualization, and creative problem-solving. This knowledge is supplemented through an examination of the legal, ethical, and regulatory issues related to security that includes analyzing privacy laws, internal control and regulatory policies, as well as basic investigative processes and principles. Such understanding is applied to venues that include transnational terrorism, cybercrimes, financial fraud, risk mitigation, and security and crisis management. It also includes overviews of the information technology that plays a critical role in identifying, preventing and responding to security-related events.
Advisory groups from within and outside the University involved in the design of the major have agreed that graduates who can understand the cognitive, social, economic, and policy issues involved in security and risk management, as well as the basics of the information technology and analytics that are included in the security/risk arena, will be very successful. These observations drove the design and objectives of the SRA major.
INFORMATION AND CYBERSECURITY OPTION. This option includes a set of courses that provides an understanding of the theories, skills, and technologies associated with network security, cyber threat defense, information warfare, and critical infrastructure protection across multiple venues.
Entrance Requirements
To be eligible for entrance to the Security and Risk Analysis (SRA) major, students must:
- 40-70 graded Penn State credits (excludes transfer and AP credits)
- Completed with a grade of C or better: IST 140 (or equivalent CMPSC 101 or CMPSC 121), IST 210, SRA 111, and SRA 211
- Earned a minimum of 2.00 cumulative GPA
Degree Requirements
For the B.S. degree in Security and Risk Analysis, a minimum of 120 credits is required. For specific course information, please refer to the University Bulletin.
