Four Majors Related to Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary major and requires input and insight from other disciplines. Of all the majors offered at Old Dominion University (ODU) I have selected four that I believe have something to contribute to Cybersecurity. Of course, these are not the only majors that have an impact on cybersecurity, this is not an exhaustive list, rather a few selected to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of cyber security.
ODU majors that relate to cybersecurity:
- Computer Science (CS)
- Information Technology (IT)
- Criminal Justice (CJ)
- Risk Management and Insurance (RMI)
Computer science and information technology (IT) provide background for the technical aspects of cybersecurity. Computer science provides an understanding of how computers work and how they process information. Understanding that computers interpret the world through binary code, the difference between high-level and low-level programing languages. Understanding how computers work is vital to cybersecurity. IT although having some overlap with computer science focuses on the application of computers to business. It is important for cybersecurity professionals and students to not just understand computers but also how they function and are used in the world. Knowing what servers, routers, and switches are and the roles they play. Cybersecurity professionals can then know how and what they are needed to protect.
Criminal justice provides an understanding of legal implications within the cybersecurity community. Students and professionals are not only tasked with stopping and preventing cybersecurity threats but also collecting evidence and preforming digital forensics. Criminal justice can help provide frameworks, guides and techniques that can be applied to cybersecurity to gather digital forensics when cybercrime is committed.
Risk management and Insurance (RMI) majors are taught ways to assess risk and how to prepare to mitigate that risk if and when bad things do happen. These skills can be applied to cybersecurity to help individuals understand risk. Not just identifying vulnerabilities but understanding their true impact both for the technological components but also the people and businesses that depend on them. Knowing that a DDOS attack and data leak have different impacts to society is crucial when trying to triage cybersecurity threats.