Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: A degree in MSIA - the various programs
From: "Daniel I. Didier" <ddidier () netsecureia com>
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:57:46 -0400
Kimberly, I am currently enrolled in the MSIA program at Norwich. I think you provided a very good summary of the program and its benefits. I agree that the program is very demanding, but also extremely worthwhile. The content and instructors are excellent. There have been some additions to the "consultancy" requirement since your attendance that I will briefly expand upon. As you stated, each student must identify an organization, typically their incumbent employer, to apply each week's material to and produce an essay. The final assignment for each seminar(and much of the grade) will require you to compile a report citing specific recommendations and findings from your weekly essays. Norwich has expanded this to allow for an industry specific consultation. This is to allow individuals that do not have an incumbent organization, or they have one that isn't well fitting. This has worked very well for me as I am an independent IA consultant. When I started the program nine months ago, this option was not yet available. When I started the MSIA program I worked through 2 consultancy organizations and always found it very difficult to try and obtain the information I needed from an organization I was not directly employed by. Now, I can focus on the material and less on trying to contact various individuals and extract information from them.
-----Original Message----- From: listbounce () securityfocus com
[mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com]
On Behalf Of Kimberly F. Adams Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 1:22 PM To: Trance Kat; security-basics () securityfocus com Subject: RE: A degree in MSIA - the various programs I am a 2005 graduate of the Norwich University Information Assurance graduate program. I researched numerous graduate degrees in the area
of
Information Security, spoke with a good number of graduates from
several
different universities and based on the input I rec'd, decided to
apply
to Norwich University. It is an extremely comprehensive program. Small cohorts, excellent professors. The director of the MSIA program at Norwich is the well-known Information Security Specialist, Mich Kabay. Adjunct professors include highly respected and widely published specialists such as Stephen Cobb, Chey Cobb, Peter Stephenson, Jim Maloney, Mike Levine, Michael Miora, Don Holden, and Gary Bridges,
just
to name a few. If you have read many Infosec books, you will probably recognize these names. Norwich University is designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a 'Center for Academic Excellence
in
Information Assurance Education'. This prestigious evaluation is based on stringent criteria and review, judged according to the standards
and
guidelines set by the Committee on National Security Systems. Probably the most unique ingredient of the MSIA program is the series
of
individual projects that is required of each MSIA student. All
incoming
students are required to obtain an agreement from their employer to permit and support their active involvement in the analysis and, to
the
extent possible, improvement of information assurance within their organization. From what I understand, in rare cases, students are accepted with study agreements from organizations other than their own employers. During each week of each MSIA seminar, you are required read about and discuss (on the online discussion board) the topics included in your readings; as you study various aspects of information security/assurance, you will analyze the state of affairs at your workplace with respect to what you have learned. You are required to submit a topic paper for each week's findings, and use them to prepare
a
report with recommendations for specific areas of IA improvement, to
be
submitted at the end of each seminar to your MSIA instructor. After
your
online facilitators have graded and commented on your work, you are
then
expected to submit your report to the appropriate information security contacts/director within your organization. If all goes as planned,
your
IA education will continue through discussions with your own
colleagues
about your findings. The program culminates with a one-week residency and graduation ceremony at Norwich University in June. This provides
you
with a wonderful opportunity to meet the instructors and classmates
with
whom you've been interacting for the past 18 months in a face-2-face environment. This experience also instills pride in your institution
and
is a great reward for all your hard work! You will work your fingers to the bone in this program, but you will gain a tremendous amount of knowledge in the field. It is well worth
the
investment. Norwich U pulls from an international student base and you will receive a global perspective on our field. Go to http://www.graduate.norwich.edu/infoassurance/ for details. -----Original Message----- From: listbounce () securityfocus com
[mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com]
On Behalf Of Trance Kat Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 11:47 AM To: security-basics () securityfocus com Subject: A degree in MSIA - the various programs Hello All, I am in the process of selecting a school to pursue a Masters in Information Assurance. I've been told that Norwich University's program is very good and very demanding (but you can complete your degree in just 18 months). I haven't heard or seen any other individual feedback on other programs out there and I'm hoping that some of you on this list have some experience with them. I'd love to hear what you know about the other schools out there that offer a MSIA degree. Good, bad, time invested vs. education gained, etc. Thanks in advance for your time and help! Alex
Current thread:
- A degree in MSIA - the various programs Trance Kat (Aug 12)
- RE: A degree in MSIA - the various programs Brandon Louder (Aug 12)
- RE: A degree in MSIA - the various programs Eric Snyder (Aug 12)
- RE: A degree in MSIA - the various programs Kimberly F. Adams (Aug 12)
- RE: A degree in MSIA - the various programs Daniel I. Didier (Aug 12)
- Re: A degree in MSIA - the various programs Samuel Waters (Aug 28)
- RE: A degree in MSIA - the various programs Daniel I. Didier (Aug 12)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: A degree in MSIA - the various programs bonzdead (Aug 12)