Doctor of Philosophy in Cybersecurity (PhD-CY)

In this course, students are prepared for an understanding of networks and related theory to support computer science, cybersecurity, and technology management needs. Students will learn network concepts, as well as designing networks for reliability, availability, confidentiality, and network monitoring. Content will include high-level design of networks, evaluation of service providers, and strategies to prepare an organization for future communication needs (such as multi-cloud, satellite, 5G & 6G, and quantum data communications, plus related security techniques). Students will learn network design, planning, the role of network data communication devices, global access, and safe third-party data exchange.

This course will consolidate a foundation of concepts relating to security and cybersecurity, enabling the successful examination of greater detail and complexity in later courses. You will examine the full range from governance through compliance with laws, through people risks, to technology. Various mitigation options are considered to reduce vulnerabilities, counter threats, and to protect an organization’s data and system assets. You will study the need to protect organizations from future exposures and apply critical thinking and synthesis to motivate the resources needed to defend an organization.

Cybersecurity has the primary objective of averting losses and restoring proper operations should there be a loss. During this course you will study the foundations of risk and the opportunities to reduce cybersecurity losses for organizations. Risk assessment abilities and research options form the base of cyber defenses and determine the need for subsequent resources. The course continues with measuring risk and events leading to the identification of potential incidents and solutions. Learning about contingencies consider the needs of the organization, maintaining operations, and preparing for the best recovery should there be a loss.

Tracking and responding to cyber events requires massive databases integrating content from all devices at every location. Cyber threat analysis and response implies long term access and complex manipulation of event databases. In this course you will learn techniques to capture and display relevant data and leverage automation to reduce losses. Data manipulation, automated sense-making, appropriate fast reactions, machine learning, data analysis, and presentation are rapidly developing cybersecurity techniques. You will also leverage required capabilities for the defense of the organization, respond to enhanced threat complexity and capabilities, and address the need to counter data poisoning by threat actors.

Risk management is the foundation of defending organizations from information security, cyber threats, compliance, audit, and privacy exposures. To address risk and assurance, this course builds an integrated approach solution leading to the prioritization of resources for an organization. You will extend your knowledge and skills for global protection within and beyond the perimeter. This course positions the importance of risk management within a cybersecurity program and its role within Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). You will also assess theories and practices concerning risk management, compose a risk strategy, and leverage maturity models to improve the protection of organizations.

This course serves as an extensive exploration of statistics for the technology leader. Included in the course, is an advanced examination of statistical analyses commonly used for information systems and technology research. During this course, you will use different statistical tools to enhance your advanced analytical skills. These statistical analysis skills are required to plan, conduct, and interpret quantitative data to inform enterprise decisions. You will also learn to illustrate and produce technical output reports.

Global integration and broad alliances between criminal elements and nation-states frequently lead to rapidly changing and significant threats to all nations, organizations, and citizens. During this course, you will study current and predictable threats, target critical infrastructure, and determine risks implied in new technology. You will also learn to recognize the risks originating from cybercriminals, terrorism, hacktivism, and nation-state, and other significant threat actors. You will devise and work to get funding for viable strategies to defend critical infrastructures, organizations, and the citizens of the nation.

This course provides a survey of the different methods used to conduct technology-based research. During this course, you will learn about the research principles and methodologies that guide scientific inquiry in order to develop an understanding of the effects of research on individuals and organizations. Specifically, you will study the scientific research lifecycle, data collection methods, and research design methodology. You will finish the course by selecting a research design methodology to support your research interests through the remainder of your program.

The results of technical research are frequently used to support informed management decisions. This course provides technology leaders and professionals with the skills needed to design and conduct quantitative research studies to support specific types of data. During this advanced course in research, you will explore and apply different types of quantitative research methods and statistical techniques. You will also explore instrumentation, data collection, and data analysis tools and techniques to create aligned, ethical, and substantive research designs.

A quantitative research design includes objective analysis using experimental, quasi-experimental, and related techniques. Technical quantitative research involves statistical analysis of data collected from a larger number of participants to determine an outcome that can be applied to a general population. During this course, you will work through the scientific research process and apply your knowledge of quantitative research design to develop a technical research proposal in which you can use to support your research interests through the remainder of your program.

The results of qualitative research are frequently used to support informed management decisions. This course provides technology leaders with an in-depth introduction to qualitative methods for studying human behavior, including grounded theory, narrative analysis, and case studies. During this advanced course in research, you will apply qualitative research methods to an information technology-based study. You will also deepen your research knowledge and skills by conducting interviews, collecting and coding data, producing ethical data conclusions, and creating objective research reports.

A qualitative approach to research of a technical nature integrates theoretical, conceptual, and empirical constructs with common practices and experience to gain an understanding of performance and functionality, develop an applied and testable model for improvement, or provide insights into problems to develop new ideas. During this course, you will work through the scientific research process and apply your knowledge of qualitative research design to develop a technical research proposal to support your research interests through the remainder of your program.

The results of technical research are frequently used to develop new products and services. This course provides technology leaders and professionals with the skills needed to design and conduct constructive research studies based on theory. During this advanced course in research, you will examine the methods and measurements used to design constructive research studies to develop sound technical solutions or prototypes. You will also explore software and security testing tools and user acceptance testing methods in order to create aligned, ethical, and substantive research designs.

Technical constructive research focuses on models, frameworks, tools, and software used by industry to improve value creation. A constructive approach to research of a technical nature integrates theoretical and empirical constructs with common practices and experience to develop an applied and testable model to improve the fields of computer science and information technology. During this course, you will work through the scientific research process and apply your knowledge of constructive research design to develop a technical research proposal in which you can use to support your research interests through the remainder of your program.

The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus course is intended to ensure students have mastered knowledge of their discipline within cybersecurity prior to doctoral candidacy status and are able to demonstrate the ability to design empirical research as an investigator before moving on to the dissertation research coursework. During this course, you will demonstrate the ability to synthesize empirical, peer-reviewed research to prepare for the dissertation sequence of courses. This course should be completed only after the completion of all foundation, specialization, and research courses.

Students in this course will be required to complete Chapter 1 of their dissertation proposal including a review of literature with substantiating evidence of the problem, the research purpose and questions, the intended methodological design and approach,  and the significance of the study. A completed, committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Chapter 1 is required to pass this course successfully. Students who do not receive approval of Chapter 1 to minimum standards will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of Chapter 1.

Students in this course will be required to work on completing Chapters 1-3 of their dissertation proposal and receive committee approval for the Dissertation Proposal (DP) in order to pass the class. Chapter 2 consists of the literature review. Chapter 3 covers the research methodology method and design and to includes population, sample, measurement instruments, data collection and analysis, limitations, and ethical considerations. In this course, a completed, committee-approved Chapters 2 and 3 are required and, by the end of the course, a final approved dissertation proposal (against the minimum rubric standards). Students who do not receive approval of the dissertation proposal will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of these requirements.

Students in this course will be required to prepare, submit, and obtain approval of their IRB application, collect data, and submit a final study closure form to the IRB. Students still in data collection at the end of the 12-week course will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to complete data collection and file an IRB study closure form.

In this dissertation course students work on completing Chapters 4 and 5 and the final Dissertation Manuscript. Specifically, students will complete their data analysis, prepare their study results, and present their findings in an Oral Defense and a completed manuscript. A completed, Committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Dissertation Manuscript and successful Oral Defense are required to complete the course and graduate. Students who do not receive approval for either or both their Dissertation Manuscript or defense can take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of either or both items as needed.In this dissertation course students work on completing Chapters 4 and 5 and the final Dissertation Manuscript. Specifically, students will complete their data analysis, prepare their study results, and present their findings in an Oral Defense and a completed manuscript. A completed, Committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Dissertation Manuscript and successful Oral Defense are required to complete the course and graduate. Students who do not receive approval for either or both their Dissertation Manuscript or defense can take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of either or both items as needed.