There are several majors offered by ODU (Old Dominion University) that relate to cybersecurity. Of the possible choices, four will be selected to be defined and discussed briefly.
The first major that relates to Cybersecurity is Sociology. It is the science or study of the origin, development, organization, and functioning of human society, per Dictionary.com. The role of sociologists is to investigate the structure of groups and societies and how interactions occur amongst people in those parameters. In cybersecurity, sociologists strive to determine topics such as how social groups interact online, how technology impacts cyber offending, and how cyber offending is shaped by societal influences.
Criminal Justice is the second major that relates to Cybersecurity. Criminal Justice encompasses two thought processes: “Suspects, convicted criminals and victims of crime all have certain rights; Criminal conduct should be prosecuted and punished by the state following set laws” (Legal Information Institute, 2022). Since online capabilities have paved way for cyber offending, the integration of Criminal Justice is essential. Criminology pursues the investigation of who commits these types of crimes and the consequences for them. In addition, the patterns that guide those to criminal behavior and their reasoning for why they are committed are investigated.
According to CompTIA, Information Technology, or IT for short, is the usage of computer systems and devices to access information or data. It is the third major that will be discussed that relates to Cybersecurity. Information Technology graduates pursue professional careers that “involves the implementation, support, maintenance, repair or protection of data or computer systems” (CompTIA, 2023). The daily phenomena of information attacks warrant that information security maintains four crucial functions: That organizations retain their ability to function and maintains safe operation of applications implemented on their IT systems, that their collected data is protected, and that technology assets utilized within the organization are safeguarded.
Lastly, the fourth major that relates to Cybersecurity is Computer Science. Computer Science is the study of science or computational systems. The field encompasses theory, mathematical activities such as design and analysis of algorithms, performance studies of systems and their components, and estimation of reliability and availability of systems by probabilistic techniques (Computer Science and Its Application in Various Fields | Britannica, n.d.). Cybersecurity is a subfield of Computer Science and focuses on the protection of data, networks, and devices from unauthorized access.
REFERENCES:
CompTIA. (2023). What Is Information Technology | Info on IT Careers and Certs | CompTIA. Default. https://www.comptia.org/content/articles/what-is-information-technology
Computer science and its application in various fields | Britannica. (n.d.). Www.britannica.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/summary/computer-science
Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words. (n.d.). Dictionary.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/sociologists
Legal Information Institute. (2022, July). Criminal Justice. LII / Legal Information Institute. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/criminal_justice