Graduate Certificate Program in Computer Security and Information Assurance
The Department of
Computer Science (CS) at The George Washington University School of
Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) is proud to offer a graduate
certificate program in Computer Security and Information Assurance. The objective of this certificate program is to provide a coordinated
four-course sequence in computer security and information assurance that
emphasizes concepts in Computer Security augmented with current industry
standard techniques and challenges. It provides an alternative to the full
M.S. program for practicing computer scientists and other information
technology personnel who wish to extend their education beyond the B.S.
level, and to those who wish to acquire up-to-date knowledge in the
burgeoning field of computer and network security. It also provides a
seamless migration path for those awarded certificates in this program to
continue their education toward the full M.S. degree with full credit for
the courses in this certificate program applied to the full M.S. degree
program. The specialized Graduate Certificate Program in Computer Security
and Information Assurance comprises a total of four graduate courses and
can be completed in two semesters or in an accelerated cohort program that lasts for about four months.
This program is of particular benefit to working professionals and to their employers, as well. It includes material that is so current it does not yet exist in textbooks, and it is presented by top level practicing professionals in the field who can put these developments in the proper perspective for the students. Students also get the benefit of an education at an accelerated pace. The students' employers, in turn, get the competitive benefit of employing individuals who are versed in the very latest developments and who can assess the significance of such developments.
The program is fast paced and in depth, in realization of the fact that working professionals have limited time to spend as students. The program assumes that the students are mature and well-prepared, treats them as professionals, and expects commensurate performance.
Admission Requirements
Applicants will be subject to the standard GW admissions process and will complete a GW Graduate Admissions Application indicating their choice of the Graduate Certificate Program (program code: 661). Applicants must meet the same admissions requirements as applicants applying for the traditional M.S. program in computer science, and their application for admission to the certificate program will be treated similarly to an application by a student who applies for the traditional M.S. program. Completion of the certificate program is not an implied acceptance into the M.S. program. Specifically, the prerequisites for the certificate program are:
Program Prerequisites
- A Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Computer Science or related field.
- A 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of course work for the Bachelors Degree
- Two courses in mathematics beyond pre-calculus
- One year of a science with laboratory
- A course in a structured programming language (equivalent of Csci51 or Csci49)
- A course in Discrete Structures (equivalent of CSci 123)
- A course in Data Structures (equivalent of CSci 131 or CSci 103)
- A course in Computer Architecture (equivalent of CSci 52)
- A course in Operating Systems (equivalent of CSci 156)
Comments from recent graduates of the program
"I wanted to provide you my feedback on one of the program instructors. Basically, I think he is excellent!!!! Every lecture was very well prepared, material relevant, in-depth, and insightful. He did a superb job with guest speakers from different segments of industry. The speaker last night, who was a former CIA specialist, did an excellent presentation on computer forensics."
"Overall, this is one of the best academic programs I have ever taken. All of the courses were challenging and relevant to real-world problems. The instructors were terrific and were able to bring their own experience and examples into the lectures. The lab exercises on the PEN were great in showing how all of the technology and policy aspects of CSIA come together into actual practice. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to become a high-level computer security expert."
"I believe that the GWU program is an excellent preparation tool for anyone interested in passing the CISSP exam. I also believe that any person with a desire to either pursue or further a career in computer security and information policy should seriously consider the program at GWU. The tools that you learn are timely and directly applicable in today's highly competitive market. In the post-9/11 world, the demand for qualified security professionals will only increase, as will the need for a quality program like that at GWU." -
(Former CSIA certificate student who passed the CISSP exam.)
"Under Dr. Gove¹s excellent direction, the CSIA certificate program provided me with both current and relevant knowledge that I was able to put to good use at my current job. I am now the lead engineer responsible for the coordination of our DITSCAP certification. This assignment was a direct result of the coursework taken within the CSIA program."
"Every course was relevant to my job, and I have now received a promotion as a result of acquiring this certificate!"
Cohort Program Schedule
Session 1:
Tuesdays, 4:00 - 9:00 pm: CS 283:
September 5, 12, 19, and 26
October 3, 10, 17, and 24
Final exam - October 31
Thursdays 4:00 - 9:00 pm: CS 175:
September 7, 14, 21, and 28
October 5, 12, 19, and 26
Final exam - November 1
November 6 - 10: Break between sessions
Session 2:
Thanksgiving Break: November 21 - 23
Christmas Break: December 22 - January 7
Tuesdays, 4:00 - 9:00 pm: CS 286:
November 14 and 28
December 5, 12, and 19
January 9, 16, and 23
Final exam - January 30
Thursdays, 4:00 - 9:00 pm: CS 384:
November 16 and 30
December 7, 14, and 21
January 11, 18, and 25
Final exam - February 1
Graduation: February 15
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Cohort Curriculum
The curriculum for the certificate program consists of four existing courses in the area of Computer Security, each carrying three academic credits. While CSci 283 and CSci 286 are compulsory for the certificate, it is possible to take other elective courses besides CSci 175 and CSci 384 to complete certificate requirements. CSci 175 and CSci 384 are, however, the only elective courses currently offered in the cohort.
CSci 175 Information Policy
Roles, issues, and impacts of computer-based information systems in national and international arenas, focusing on privacy, equity, freedom of speech, intellectual property, and access to personal and governmental information. Professional responsibilities, ethics, and common and best practices in information use.
CSci 283 Computer Security Principles
Risk analysis and risk management. Introduction to cryptography; encapsulation and advanced cryptographic standards; ISO/OSI Security mechanisms and services; secure operating systems and models of security; common criteria; authentication mechanisms; security effects of programming languages; database security and statistical inference controls.
CSci 286 Network Security Principles
Network Security Principles Security in local, global, and wireless networks; packet-level communication security protocols; intrusion detection systems and firewalls; network authentication protocols; secure network applications: secure E-mail and web operations; secure mobile agents. Course Outline for Cohort 8.
CSci 384: Computer Network Defense
Offensive and defensive information warfare operations. Simulation of various attacks on and defenses of computer systems. Laws related to information warfare. History and literature related to information warfare attacks.
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Certificate
Certificate Requirements
Students will be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Computer Security and Information Assurance after completion of the two required and the two elective courses with a grade B or better in each course.
Continuation to the Masters (MS) Program
The twelve credits earned in the Graduate Certificate program are fully transferable to the MS program of the Department of Computer Science, where additional courses are available in this area. However, completion of the Graduate Certificate program is not an implied acceptance into the MS program. Students who wish to become MS candidates must complete another application and will be subject to the normal requirements then in effect for admission to regular graduate study in SEAS and CS department. Students may not be dually enrolled in the MS and certificate program.
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Faculty
Principal Advisors
The Computer Science faculty advisors primarily responsible for this Graduate Certificate program will be Professors Jonathan Stanton and Poorvi Vora.
Professor Jonathan Stanton
Phone: 202-994-9741
Fax: 202-994-4875
E-mail: Send e-mail to: jstanton at the address gwu dot edu
Web: http://www.seas.gwu.edu/~jstanton/
Professor Poorvi Vora
Phone: 202-994-1864
Fax: 202-994-4875
E-mail: Send e-mail to: poorvi at the address gwu dot edu
Web: http://www.seas.gwu.edu/~poorvi/
Cohort Faculty
Daniel J. VanBelleghem, CISSP
Randy V. Sabett, CISSP, J.D.
Michael A. Caloyannides, PhD
Timothy Hanson, PhD, PE, CISSP
Daniel J. VanBelleghem, CISSP
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, June 1991, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Computer Engineering Master of Science, Systems Engineering, May 1997
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Experience:
SRA International, Inc.
Fairfax, VA, Information Assurance Group, September 2000 to Present.
Serve as a manager and team leader within the Information Assurance Group. Client work includes technical security assessments, architecture designs, and integration activities for commercial and federal governement clients. Projects involve assessing a US Federal Government Department's security program to include system security plans, security awareness and training plans, and continuity of operations plans. Play an active role in monitoring and evaluating current security practices through conducting technical vulnerability assessments and system peneteration testing.
Work with internal SRA research and development group on new venture projects that involve network security applications. Current projects include integrating new technologies that apply data mining techniques to data collected from firewalls and intrusion detection systems, such as, Checkpoint, Dragon, RealSecure, and Snort.
Responsible for establishing and maintaining positive relationships with clients, expanding the scope of projects when appropriate, and identifying new business opportunities. Participate in business development activities that included proposal and presentation development for new business opportunities. Currently hold a secret level clearance.
Network Forensics, Inc.
Cabin John, MD, Director of Enterprise Security Technologies, December 1999 to September 2000
Served as the computer and network security leader for the business. Developed high quality and consistent security methodologies for delivering network forensics products and procedures to the market place. Directed information security strategies and worked with information system architects to translate security requirements into system implementations in order to meet the needs of all customer channels. Educated clients and customers on security issues including threats, vulnerabilities, and available risk mitigation strategies. Continually evaluated product strategies and future product enhancements and direction.
Responsoibilities included on-site integration and product support activities that included real-time network traffic collection tools, Microsoft SQL databases, and Microsoft IIS web servers running on Windows NT platforms.
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
New York, NY, Manager, October 1997 to December 1999
Primarily served as a manager and team leader within the E-Business, Technology and Security group. Client work included network security assessments, architecture, and design for fortune 500 commercial clients. Majority of network security activities included UNIX and NT systems, firewalls and network devices. Responsible for establishing and maintaining positive relationships with clients, expanding the scope of projects when appropriate, and identifying new business opportunities. Participated in business development for the practice that included proposal and presentation development for new business opportunities.
Majority of client work consisted of financial services industries, specifically banks, mutual fund corporations, credit unions, and insurance companies. Engagement roles included program management activities, such as, identifying complex engagement issues and working closely with client staff and partners in resolving them, recognizing multifunctional opportunities to improve client service in connection with the engagement, and building consensus with client management. Engagement activities ranged from disaster recovery architecture implementation, e-business security assessments, attack and penetration testing, denial of service testing and implementing solutions that increased a client's environment security profile.
Developed an Introduction to Attack and Penetration training program to educate consultants across the firm on a common methodology for performing attack and penetration engagements. Served as an instructor for the class. Designed and developed the class outline, materials, and a laboratory network for class exercises.
BOOZ ·ALLEN & HAMILTON
McLean, VA, Associate, September 1994 to October 1997.
Performed as a consultant and team leader within the National Security Team. Client work included network security engineering, analysis, integration and design for fortune 500 commercial companies, defense and civil government agencies. Held a Top Secret Level/SSBI clearance.
Extensive firewall experience that included the design, integration, troubleshooting, and training. Firewall installations encompass the Gauntlet, V-ONE, FW-1, Sidewinder and custom firewall designs built from public domain software. Common responsibilities included troubleshooting and resolving problems after firewalls were integrated into a network for areas such as DNS, sendmail, and routing. Training experience includes the development and presentation of firewall training and Internet security programs for system administrators, security officers, and senior management. Developed test and evaluation requirements and procedures for firewalls and other security products. Conducted test and evaluation activities and produced test reports which were used to measure a system across multiple vendors.
VRC, CORPORATION
Alexandria, VA, Systems Engineer, September 1991 to September 1994.
Evaluated the design and operational performance of U.S. Army C4I systems, specifically the software and human factors requirements. Designed and developed operational test plans, test reports, and operational assessments. Performed data gathering and data reduction activities that supported the analysis and evaluation of the systems. Performed program management activities. Held a Top Secret Level/SSBI clearance.
Publications:
"Solving Network Mysteries," Proceedings of the 27th Annual CSI Computer Security Conference, November 2000
"Techniques for Solving Network Mysteries," Proceedings of the SANS Baltimore 2001 Conference, May 13-20, 2001
"Solving Network Mysteries," Proceedings of the 11th Annual NetSec Conference, June 2001
"Solving Network Mysteries," Proceedings of the Black Hat Briefings 2001, July 11-12, 2001
8wire.com, "Solving Network Mysteries, Part 1: Understanding Security Risks," Dec. 5, 2000
8wire.com, "Solving Network Mysteries, Part 2: Auditing and Monitoring Techniques," Dec. 21, 2000
8wire.com, "Preventing the IIS UNICODE Exploit," March 16, 2001
8wire.com, "Implementing an IDS Solution," May 17, 2001
8wire.com, "Capture the Flag, The DefCon 9 Project," July 20, 2001
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Randy V. Sabett, CISSP, J.D.
Education:
University of Baltimore Juris Doctor, May 1996
Cambridge University International Law course, Summer 1994
Syracuse University B.S., Computer Engineering, May 1985
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Memberships:
Virginia Maryland Registered U.S. Patent Attorney
American Bar Association (ABA) (Section of Science and Technology Law, and Intellectual Property Section)
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA)
Experience:
Cooley Godward LLP, Reston, VA
Attorney at Law, 2000 to present
Counseling and advising high technology and emerging growth companies, with a focus on information security law, technology licensing, and patent prosecution. Creation and implementation of a new Cybercrime and Information Security practice group.
University of Baltimore School of Law, Baltimore, MD
Adjunct Professor, 1998 to present
Research for, preparation of, and teaching Technology Transfer, an upper level elective course designed to teach both the fundamentals and intricacies of technology licensing.
SPYRUS, Inc., Columbia, MD and Herndon, VA
Sr. Technology Counsel and Patent Attorney, 1998 to 2000
Creation and implementation of patent program, including reporting system, prosecution, incentive plan, and interfacing with outside patent counsel. Policy development activities involving electronic commerce and public key infrastructure (PKI). Patent and software licensing negotiations.
Venable, Baetjer, Howard & Civiletti, LLP, Washington, DC
Associate, 1996 to 1998
Patent prosecution in electrical and computer related technologies. Patent litigation, including Internet electronic commerce case. Experience with review and modification of an EDI Trading Partner Agreement. Member of Litigation Technology Committee.
SPYRUS, Inc., Columbia, MD
Smart Card Program Manager, 1994 to 1996
Client support, formulation of technical and cost proposals, and software development. Implementation of public key and commercial cryptographic algorithms.
Noise Cancellation Technologies, Inc., Linthicum, MD
Software Manager and Software Engineer, 1991 to 1994
Department of Defense (National Security Agency), Ft. Meade, MD
Computer Engineer, 1987 to 1991
Publications:
"The Effects of Technology Convergence and PKI on the Practice of Law", University of Baltimore Intellectual Property Law Journal, 1999.
Roundtable Interview: "Law and (Dis)order", Information Security Magazine, October, 1999.
"Path Forward: Coalescing of the Evolving Public-Key Based System Accreditation Process & the Common Criteria Trusted System Evaluation Process"; Proceedings - Canadian Information Technology Security Symposium; May 1999.
"Key Recovery in a Public Key Infrastructure", Jurimetrics: Journal of Law, Science, and Technology, Vol. 38, Spring 1998.
"PGP: Securing the Privacy of Electronic Information Through Encryption", Electronic Banking Law and Commerce Report, Vol. 2, No. 6, November/December 1997.
"Digital Signatures Could Be Next Step in Integrity of Electronic Commerce", The Daily Record, April 12, 1997.
"International Harmonization in Electronic Commerce and Electronic Data Interchange: A Proposed First Step Toward Signing on the Digital Dotted Line", The American University Law Review, Vol. 46, No. 2, December 1996.
"Cryptography, Smart Cards, and Future Banking Technology", Electronic Banking Law and Commerce Report, Vol. 1, No. 4, September 1996.
Activities and Speaking Engagements:
Co-Vice Chair of the ABA Information Security Committee of the Section of Science and Technology Law
Co-rapporteur: PKI Assessment Guidelines (Public Release for Comment 2001)
Member: Editorial Committee for the Digital Signature Guidelines (published 1996)
2002 RSA Conference; presentation of "The ABA's PKI Assessment Guidelines" 2/19/02; San Jose, California.
2002 RSA Conference; presentation of "The New RFC 2527 CP/CPS Framework"; 2/20/02; San Jose, California.
2001 Reed-Elsevier InfoSecurity Conference; "The Organizational Interplay of Business, Legal, and Technical Requirements" 12/7/01; New York, NY.
RFC 2527 Editorial Committee member; updated framework for Certificate Policies and Certification Practice Statements
15th Annual Vanguard Security Conference; "PKI Assessment: The Process of Evaluating, Verifying, and Certifying Your PKI"; 6/5/01; Reno, Nevada.
2000 American Bar Association Annual Meeting; "E-Commerce and E-Government: The Theory and Practice of Using PKI"; 7/9/00; New York, NY.
ANSI X9F (Data and Information Security) Working Group 5; contributing member to X9.79, the "PKI Practices and Policy Framework," providing guidance for the banking industry related to policies and practices
Microsoft TechNet Workshop Series: High Assurance PKI and Smart Cards; "Certificate Policies and Certification Practices Statements Overview"; 9/14/99; Washington, D.C.
Canadian Information Technology Security Symposium; "Path Forward: Coalescing of the Evolving Public-Key Based System Accreditation Process and the Common Criteria Trusted System Evaluation Process", 5/13/99; Ottawa, Ontario
ABA Delegate to The Open Group; "Legal policy and digital certificates"; 4/27/99; Copenhagen, Denmark
Guest Lecturer: "Electronic Commerce and Information Security"; Cyberspace Law Course, University of Baltimore School of Law; 3/2?4/99
Internet Security Summit: "Access Control and Confidentiality"; 2/25/99; Stanford University; Palo Alto, CA
Internet Security Summit: "Public Key Infrastructure"; 2/8/99; Washington, D.C.
ABA Annual Meeting: "Communications Security for Lawyers and Law Firms"; 7/31/98; Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Washington College of Law at American University Symposium: "The Development and Practice of Law in the Age of the Internet"; 4/12/96
Law of Electronic Commerce Seminar: "Should I Send My Credit Card Number Over the Internet?"; 1/16/96; Gray, Cary, Ware & Freidenrich; Palo Alto, CA
Law Firm Presentation: "Portable Security and 'Cyberlaw' on the Information Highway"; 8/17/95; Gray, Cary, Ware & Freidenrich; Palo Alto, CA
Patents:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,642: "Analog Noise Cancellation System Using Digital Optimizing of Variable Parameters"
Canadian Patent No. 2,170,026: "Digitally Controlled Analog Cancellation System"
Michael A. Caloyannides, PhD
Education:
Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, and Philosophy, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), 1972
M.S, Electrical Engineering, Caltech, 1968
B.S. with highest honors, Caltech, 1967
"A+" grade point average. Full scholarships throughout all studies.
First in a class of over 1,000 students during his first two undergraduate years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY, '63/64 & '64/65). Transferred to Caltech.
Experience and Brief Summary:
Dr. Caloyannides' career spans almost 4 decades in senior technical positions in industry, government and academia. After earning his PhD from Caltech in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics and Philosophy from Caltech in '72, he held a top position with a major aerospace firm for 14 years; in that capacity, he worked on telecommunications projects including satcom, microwave, HF, VLF, in missile guidance, he lead the development of a Sigint system for a then ally of the US, he pioneered computerized fingerprint recognition, designed high speed wireline modems for which he was awarded a US Patent, and was instrumental in the development of the GPS satellites.
He then worked for another 14 years as Chief Scientist for the Office of Research and Development for an agency of the US Government, where he oversaw R&D on a broad spectrum of technologies; in that capacity, he created and delivered seminars on information security and encryption that were attended by thousands within the government. He was awarded the coveted "Scientist of the Year" award, as well a "Certificate for Exceptional Accomplishment" on five separate occasions, in addition to being awarded the "Meritorious Officer" award.
For the last 7 years he has been Senior Fellow with Mitretek Systems, a Washington, DC area "think tank" where he is concentrating on information security, network security, computer and network forensics, and related aspects. He has published two books in this field, one in its second edition, and is a member of the editorial board of IEEE Computer Society's "Security and Privacy" magazine where he was a regular columnist for two years.
He is also an adviser to NASA on deep space exploration, and has been retained as an expert witness by lawyers in cases involving information technology, GPS, and telecommunications. For a year, he also chaired an FCC panel on Network Reliability. During his career, he has also taught at California State University in Pomona, at George Mason University (where he is the chairman of the PhD committee of a student), at Johns Hopkins University (where he has been teaching after-hours postgraduate courses in networks, and at George Washington University.
He is often quoted in the press, including the NY Times, IEEE's flagship "Spectrum" magazine, and elsewhere, on information security issues.
Timothy Hanson, PhD, PE, CISSP
Education:
PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ohio University,1990
Engineer Degree, George Washington University, 1983
MSEE, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Ohio University, 1977
BSEE, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware, 1975
BA, Bachelor of Arts, University of Delaware, 1975
Memberships:
ACM
IEEE (Senior Member)
Experience:
Senior Engineering Consultant
Opnet Technologies, Lanham, MD, present
Consulting in modeling and simulation of computer networks. Network applications performance evaluation and improvement using network performance engineering tools, modeling, and application trace analysis. Computer architecture performance monitoring and modeling. Computer network design, network management configuration, network configuration management, networking proposals, evaluation and diagnosis of poorly performing applications, high availability configurations, and all manors of networking software, and specialized network scripting. Utilization and capacity analysis, network security and access issues..
Senior Engineering Consultant
CSC, Lanham, MD, August 2004-2006
Modeling and simulation of the IRS computer network. Network applications performance evaluation and improvement using network performance engineering tools, modeling, and application trace analysis.
Principal Systems Engineer
SAIC, Washington, DC, August 2002- August 2004
Modeling and simulation of the Department of Homeland computer network. Network applications performance evaluation and improvement using network performance engineering tools such as line utilization trend analysis, QoS monitoring, and application trace analysis.
Senior Systems Engineer
New Skies Satellites, Washington, DC, September 2000- August 2002
Architectural definition, service definition, implementation and operation of a global satellite based multicast file delivery, web content delivery, and streaming media broadcast network. This is a content distribution including multicasting, caching, and streaming technology. Also, I established Internet security measures (firewall, security policies, Internet scanning, and authentication servers) for the earth stations as well as earth station network management.
Principal Technical Staff
TRW, Treasury Communications System, McLean, VA, May 1998- September 2000
I defined new architecture (ATM and Frame Relay) for the Department of the Treasury Communications System as well as the associated network management system. I set up interfaces between the element management systems and an expert system and was responsible for a lab to evaluate ATM and frame relay network management technology.
Senior Technical Staff
Mitre Corporation, Center for Advanced Aviation Systems Development, McLean, VA, May 1996- May 1998
I changed the FreeBSD Unix operating kernel system to implement a data communications router. This involved kernel debugging of the TCP/IP networking stack. I modified a MPEG player (C++) to interface it with a image processing system. I wrote a simulation program to analyze the accuracy of GPS navigation for the FAA.
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana. September 1990 - May, 1996
I taught telecommunications systems engineering, digital communications, signal processing for telecommunications and a capstone course in telecommunications systems engineering. I supervised undergraduate and graduate student research projects. (1995-1996 Fullbright Scholarship at ESIGETEL, Paris, France)
Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering
Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, 1983 -1988
I taught computer systems engineering and supervised student design projects. Developed 8 new courses for the Computer Science and Engineering curriculum. This curriculum had a particular emphasis on software engineering.
Senior Research and Development Engineer
(C.I.T. - Alcatel), Paris, France, 1979 - 1983
I designed digital computer hardware for the American telephone market(class 5 office), a microprocessor controlled based analog test facility for the automatic testing of subscriber line circuits and the switching in of a spare card if a faulty subscriber card is detected. I wrote the firmware (assembler) for this test system as well as designing the hardware. I designed a digital time division multiplexed touch tone receiver using digital signal processing techniques. Finally, I designed a 128 channel digital multiple frequency generator for the use in telephone switching centers.
Principal Systems Engineer
Link Division of the Singer Company, Silver Spring, Maryland, 1977-1979
Programmed real-time avionics flight simulators, wrote device handlers in assembler, software engineering, real-time programming, and developed a knowledge of interfaces to avionics equipment. Much of the equipment involved real-time digital signal processing. I debugged real-time software systems and wrote several proposals.
Awards:
Eta Kappa Nu - Electrical Engineering Honor Society
NASA-ASEE Faculty Fellowships
Fulbright Scholar Award
Stocker Fellowship, Ohio University
Delta Phi Alpha - German Honor Society
Phi Beta Delta - Honor Society for International Scholars
Resources
From time to time, we will post more resources on this page. Please check back to see new postings.
Video
I. J. Hudson described the CSIA certificate program on WRC-TV (Channel 4 in Washington) on December 7, 2001. This short clip features Professor Lance J. Hoffman and two graduate students, Brian Reilly and Kristine Rogers, showing some attacks on computer systems.You will need Real Player software to view the video clips. Please download your free copy at http://www.real.com/
Presentations
The followings are the presentations on Security at Loudon Campus during the 10th Anniversary Celebration on December 3, 2001. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view these presentations. Please download your free copy at http://www.adobe.com/acrobat/
Computer Security: Internet Under Siege PDF 532 KB
Lance Hoffman, Professor, GWU
Recognizing Cyber Risk Issues PDF 645 KB
Dan Woolley, COO, NETSEC
Biometrics and Security PDF 157 KB
John Bischoff, COO, Aurora Biometrics
Real Time Intrusion Detection: Effect on Risk PDF 543 KB
Amit Yoran, CEO, Riptech
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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are the certificate program credits transferable for credit in the MS in Computer Science?
A: Yes. These credits are transferable toward the graduate degree but this certificate does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A separate application must be completed to gain admission.
Q: I want to enroll in the accelerated certificate program but my company only reimburses me after I pass the course with a B or better. Is there any way I can avoid scrambling to find several thousand dollars up front?
A: Since the accelerated cohort program does not follow the normal semester calendar, the answer is unfortunately no. If you take certificate courses during the regular semester program, or continue on for a MS degree after you get a certificate in the accelerated program, you might be able to use a monthly payment program set up by GWU in conjunction with Academic Management Services. Call 1-800-531-4300 or go to the AMS website at www.tuitionpay.com.
Q: I would like to take the cohort Master's Certificate but would have to schedule it over four semesters due to limited budget.
A: You don't have to take the certificate option as a cohort - you can simply take the courses during the regular semesters, one at a time as part of the regular Master's program.
Q: Can I enroll in this program even if my bachelor's degree is not in computer science?
A: Maybe. Each prospective student is different, and each case is individual and is evaluated on an individual basis. The admission requirements for the GWU Computer Science Department graduate program are:
- A Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Computer Science or related field.
- A 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of course work for the Bachelors Degree
- Two courses in mathematics beyond pre-calculus
- One year of a science with laboratory
- A course in a structured programming language (equivalent of Csci 51 or Csci 49)
- A course in Discrete Structures (equivalent of CSci 123)
- A course in Data Structures (equivalent of CSci 131 or CSci 103)
- A course in Computer Architecture (equivalent of CSci 52)
- A course in Operating Systems (equivalent of CSci 156 )
- A "standard" bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field will satisfy these requirements in many cases. In some other cases, equivalent experience will substitute for some of these courses. For example, many network administrators have roughly equivalent skills to those gained from courses in computer architecture and/or operating systems. Most people who have programmed a decent amount in C++ or Java can satisfy the structured programming language course.
Q: I'm already enrolled in another GW program. Can I enroll in this one in addition (and apply these courses to that program)?
A: You can only be enrolled in one GW program at a time. "Enrolled" is different than "taking a course or two". "Enrolled" means having applied and been accepted in a program. You can "drop out" of one program, enroll in the CSIA program, earn your certificate, and then transfer those courses into the original program, to which you must reapply.
Q: I can only attend the first half (10 weeks) of the cohort classes. Can I take the other courses on a regular semester schedule? How do I do this?
A: We would only accept you under those conditions, assuming you met the other entrance requirements, on a wait-list basis. That is, if we did not have a full cohort a week or so before the class, we would admit you. Our aim is to populate the cohort with people who will commit for twenty weeks of hard work.
Q: My organization very much likes this program and it appears to meet our needs. However, we can't send somebody from our non-Washington location for 22 weeks. Do you have any other suggestions?
A: Our semi-distance learning option for this program is offered on the Foggy Bottom Campus, and allows the student to make four one-day trips and one two-day trip to Washington for in-person education and to do the rest of the studying anywhere in the world. These trips are spaced about a month apart. Even some working professionals who live in the Washington area prefer this, since they often are traveling on business or for other reasons can not commit to meeting two nights a week in person on one of our campuses.
If your organization wishes to educate several people, it may be possible to reverse this process; that is, we would consider setting up a program where we send out the professors to your site once a month for five months, and the students do the rest of the work by distance learning. One or several organizations could send students to meet at one conveniently located site. This requires detailed planning to ensure that the students are properly qualified to be admitted (which must be done by the GW Computer Science Department) before (local) classes can start. The price for such a program will differ from our regular cohort programs, since the administrative, travel, and other costs are so dependent on the logistical specifics. To pursue this further, an appropriate organizational representative should contact Professor Poorvi Vora, poorvi at the address gwu dot edu, 202 994-1864, or Professor Jonathan Stanton jstanton at the address gwu dot edu, 202-994-9741.
Q: How much calculus is really needed?
A: Note that the admissions requirements state "two years mathematics beyond pre-calculus" but are not more specific. What we are really looking for is enough mathematical grounding so that you don't get all upset if a few equations are used to describe an encryption method or the expected risk of something or even a hardware circuit. Zero to few actual integrals or derivatives will be encountered.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Total Cost of the Accelerated CSIA Certificate Program for 2006: $10,750.
Includes all books, lab fees, student fees, and a light supper each class evening. Payment schedule: Two installments: $5,375 due at the beginning of the first ten-week segment and $5,375 due at the beginning of the second ten-week segment.
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