School of Science and Technology

Program description
The goal of the Master of Science in Information Security (MSc. ISEC) programme is to prepare the graduates for the intellectual, analytical and practical challenges of a career in Information Security. The MSc. ISEC programme will utilize an active, experiential learning environment that prepares students to apply the acquired knowledge of information security, for the betterment of organizational operations and society at large. It will contribute to the university mission outcomes which are higher order thinking; literacy; global understanding and multicultural perspective; preparedness for career; community service; and leadership and ethics.

Program learning outcomes

• Assess new developments in information security threats, technologies and controls.
• Conduct a forensic audit on a range of information security breaches
• Implement cryptographic enabled mechanisms to counter a range of information security breaches
• Design network defense solutions to counter cyber threats in modern organizations’ networks and systems
• Analyze strategic information systems security governance and management in organizations
• Execute scholarly information security research, communicate effectively, and develop professional skills in information security discipline.

Mode of delivery
The Master of Science in Information Security programme will be delivered through face to face learning on part-time basis.
Admission requirements
The applicants must be holders of the following qualifications from local or international accredited universities:

• BSc degree in Information Systems and Technology (IST), or related field such as Computer Science/Computer Technology, Cybersecurity, Mathematics and Computer Science, Electronic Engineering , Criminology with a GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.00 or its equivalent, or
• BSc degree in Information Systems and Technology (IST), or related field such as Computer Science/Computer Technology, Cybersecurity, Mathematics and Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Criminology With a GPA of 2.50 on a scale of 4.00 with additional relevant training, evidence of research capability either through research, paper presentations or peer reviewed publications and relevant working experience, or
• BSc degree in Engineering, Statistics, or Physics with a GPA of 3.0, with a postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science with a credit pass.
• Holders of other related qualifications from recognized universities, considered by the CUE as equivalent to a degree in Computer Science with a GPA of 3.0.

All applicants considered will be required to take and pass a placement exam on admission. Those who fail will take all the survey courses.

List of the institution’s core courses
The MSc in Information System Security students will be required to complete 54 units to graduate which are made up of 49.5 units (fifteen courses) of core courses and one elective course of 4.5 credit units. Each course entails 45 lecture hours per trimester unless otherwise specified, and the 4.5 credit-unit courses have an additional lab component of 3 hours a week. Hence the total lecture and lab hours required to graduate is (16 × 45) for lectures plus (4 × 45) for courses with intense labs giving a total of 900 hours.

To apply please visit www.usiu.ac.ke/intake

The Student Experience

The Masters’ degree in Information Systems Technology (MSc.IST) at USIU aspires to be a world class, and industry-focused graduate program that is targeted at offering a flexible learning environment to IT employees already in the workplace and students aspiring to advance their studies. The degree program places business and technology at the heart of its curriculum and ethos. We look to produce a new breed of IT graduates, who are both highly innovative, have strong leadership skills, and therefore capable of leading the desired transformation in business and society.

We believe that by understanding how current and emerging technologies can best be applied to make their organizations more profitable, productive, and competitive, USIU’s MSc.IST graduates are well-positioned to face the challenges of technology in the 21st century. It is for this reason that our approach is fundamentally post-disciplinary; seeking a digital fusion of ideas from experienced PhD faculty and students from strong IT related disciplines. Furthermore, we closely align with the needs and goals of business and industry to ensure the relevance of our program and to encourage technology exchange and early adoption of emerging technologies, processes and ideas. We also seek innovative strategies to engage with end-user organizations, particularly the corporates, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) and micro-businesses.

Resources

The MSc.IST program offers students an opportunity to earn their degree using state-of-the-art technological resources. Amongst these are a software lab, hardware lab and five teaching labs with over 200 PCs, 5 servers 3 routers, 10 Switches, 2 Autonomous Wireless Access Points, and WLAN Controllers for stand-alone and controller-based WI-FI technologies. These facilities also boast a 20 PC Workstation lab which supports all Linux, Certified Ethical Hacker and Microsoft Academy courses, including MCSE, LPI and CEH certifications. All classes in this program are offered in a laboratory environment and all material delivered by faculty is supported by an online learning platform.

Student Club

Students are involved in information technology club activities which amongst other things expose students to IT solutions as used in the business environment. The club also invites alumni and distinguished speakers from industry to deliver guest lectures on topical issues affecting the IT industry. Academic faculty alongside the Centre of Information research and informatics (CIRI) provide students with support and mentorship towards software development both within and outside the university.

Certifications

The school recognizes the importance of supporting the students towards gaining a competitive edge in fast changing IT job market. It has therefore integrated certifications into the IST curriculum by offering certification courses in Linux, Certified Ethical hacker and Microsoft. Besides, USIU prides in being a Microsoft academy and a Linux partner.

Curriculum

This is a two year program that focuses on contemporary IT solutions that help business create a competitive advantage in the market place. The Information Systems Technology degree program aims at educating students in all program levels in order to provide them with the knowledge, interest, and ethics to become productive members of the information systems profession. Flexibility is core to the delivery of the program hence students are scheduled to attend three evening classes per week during which they undertake three courses per semester.

On this program you'll acquire the theoretical and practical expertise you need to produce better functioning, scalable IT systems in a wide variety of commercial and other contexts. The cloud based online learning platform at USIU augments the entirely laboratory based delivery of the curriculum.

The program offers an innovative curriculum that employs a real-world problem-solving approach and an outstanding faculty dedicated to teaching and bringing the corporate perspective into the classroom. Featuring an executive format, the program allows working professionals from a wide range of industries and functional areas of expertise to remain on the job while completing their degree.?

Admissions

Application Information

1. Applicants must be holders of the following qualifications from accredited universities:
2. BSc degree in Information Systems and Technology (IST), or related field such as Computer Science/Computer Technology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Electronic Engineering with a GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent, or
3. BSc degree in Engineering, Statistics, or Physics, with a postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science with a credit pass.
4. Holders of a BSc in engineering, Statistics and Physics or business with a GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent from an accredited university, but have no background in Information Technology or Computing may be considered. However, they will be required to take survey courses.

Financing your IST Program

The university offers Campus based work opportunities through initiatives like the work study program which will partly finance your program apart from giving students the skills and experience required later in life while in the workplace. For more details, see the Financial aid section.

Careers

Career Paths

Students joining the program will take up a total of 54 units over a two year period. 39 of these will be core while 15 will be taken as concentration units. Upon completion of the degree program students will be expected to specialize in one of the following areas:

Business Information Systems - students who take up business information systems specialization can expect to take up job titles such as IT Systems Researcher, IT Entrepreneur, IT Security Specialist/Director/Consultant, Information Systems Manager, Computer Manager, ICT Consultant, lecturer amongst others.

Software Development - students who take up software development specialization can expect to take up job titles such as IT Systems Researcher, IT Entrepreneur, ICT Project Director, ICT Manager, Information Systems Manager, Mobile Application consultant, ICT Consultant, lecturer, or web services consultant amongst others.

Telecommunications & Mobile Computing – students who take telecommunications and Mobile computing specialization can expect to take up job titles such as telecommunications systems consultant, mobile applications consultant, IT systems researcher, IT infrastructure manager, IT entrepreneur, ICT project director, ICT manager, ICT director, information systems manager, ICT consultant or lecturer amongst others.

Internet Security & Cybercrime - students who take up telecommunications and Mobile computing specialization can expect to take up job titles such as IT Security Specialist/Director/Consultant, IT Systems Researcher, IT Entrepreneur, ICT Project Director, or lecturer amongst others.

Internships

Students get a chance to be attached to industry through internships where they spend a semester under the mentorship of a supervisor in industry and receive support from a member of faculty. Students get exposed to real-world work environments in a variety of industries and some internships convert into job opportunities.