KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 9, 2020

 

Kennesaw State University’s online bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity was recently ranked as one of the top 25 programs nationwide by CyberDegrees.org. KSU was the only Georgia institution to earn a spot on the 2020 list of Best Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degrees.

Launched in fall 2017 and the first degree of its kind in Georgia,  KSU’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is a fully online degree offering an interdisciplinary curriculum. The program combines information technology, criminal justice, business administration and cybersecurity, enabling students to specialize in concentrated areas such as system security, network security or cybercrime.

“This ranking demonstrates Kennesaw State’s position as a leader in undergraduate security education,” said Michael Whitman, executive director of KSU’s Institute for Cybersecurity Workforce Development (ICWD). “As a 100 percent online program, students are able to adapt their learning to suit their busy lifestyle supporting both those who are seeking to advance a career in cybersecurity or change their career to this high demand profession.”

Kennesaw State’s B.S. in Cybersecurity is a key component of the Institute for Cybersecurity Workforce Development, which was formed in 2017 as part of a statewide initiative to create cybersecurity jobs in Georgia. Enrollment grew quickly, and the program now has nearly 650 students, according to Whitman, as KSU helps meet the high demand for cybersecurity professionals who can protect computer networks and systems.

The Institute’s efforts include partnering with local industry to facilitate student internships, provide research and educational work projects, and collaborate on information exchanges. Examples include KSU’s Department of Information Systems receiving a five-year, $200,000 gift from SunTrust Bank to support faculty security research and the IS department actively participating in Baker Donelson’s annual CyberCon conference that brings together businesses, education and government leaders to discuss cybersecurity. The Institute also launched a fully online graduate degree program in cybersecurity this fall and has overseen the Southeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition annually since 2006.

“Our programs offer both the breadth and depth that will prepare KSU graduates for cybersecurity careers spanning a variety of technical and managerial positions,” Whitman said.

The CyberDegrees ranking is the latest recognition of Kennesaw State as a leader in cybersecurity education. Under Whitman’s leadership, KSU has helped other universities in Georgia establish cyber programs by showing them how to design curriculums and how to set up labs. In addition, KSU has been named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for the past five years.

CyberDegrees.org specializes in compiling a comprehensive directory of cybersecurity program offerings. In compiling its top schools for 2020 ranking, it considered cost, admission criteria, length and program format of cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programs.

– Tiffany Capuano