Cybersecurity

Overview

What Sets Us Apart

The curriculum of the Cybersecurity program at Michigan Technological University combines both theory and applied research across multiple computing disciplines. We prepare graduates to succeed as cybersecurity professionals and researchers.

Our faculty research is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National Institutes of Health (NIH)),  Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Microsoft, Google, and others. Five faculty members and an alumnus are NSF CAREER Award recipients.

Michigan Tech is the only University in the region that offers a cybersecurity graduate program.

Cybersecurity Theory and Application

The program combines academic and industry experience across multiple disciplines, with blended learning in theoretical and applied research. Shared resources and centers create a learning environment with strong research opportunities where students can thrive.

Students follow one of three tracks:

Track 1: Trusted Software Engineering (TSE)

Trusted software is the foundation of cybersecurity. The Software Engineering Institute estimates that 90 percent of reported security incidents result from exploits against defects in software design or code. Students in the TSE track learn how to systematically apply scientific and technical knowledge to the design, implementation and testing of software to enable it to withstand attack, to provide security services, and to inspire trust by potential hosts.

Track 2: Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP)

Advances in smart-grid technology create both improvements and entry points for hackers. Students in the CIP track focus on power grid cybersecurity with a critical mass of courses—industrial control security, network architecture, threat identification, anomaly detection, incident response, forensics, and recovery—that provides students with the knowledge and skills to carry out North America Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) CIP compliance and industry best practices. 

Track 3: Network Security Management (NSM)

Network Security Managers are among the highest-paid in the cybersecurity field, with an average salary range of $100,215 to $71,433, more in larger organizations. Students in the NSM track learn to develop and manage networks and services to meet computing-resources needs for organizations. Effective network and system management targets a variety of threats in different layers to stop them from entering or spreading on networks. Security teams design the networks, set up appropriate services, ensure resources are available, address performance concerns, study histories, and troubleshoot network and host problems.