New Cyber Threat Emerges; Utica College Cyber Programs Prepared to Meet Challenge

UTICA, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week, a new threat emerged in the world of cybersecurity: "hacktivists" have openly launched retaliatory attacks on businesses, organizations and even governments, shutting down their websites for hours or days.

"We are witnessing a cyber war, the likes of which have not yet been seen," said Randall Nichols, professor and director of the cybersecurity programs at Utica College.  "But the reality is that this is the battlefield of the present and the future."

As businesses react to million-dollar losses and governments prepare for heightened security threats, the need for trained cybersecurity professionals becomes paramount, Nichols said.

Utica College, a pioneer in economic crime education, offers online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help man the front lines against hackers and other cyber attacks. The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity prepares graduates for day-to-day work in cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, practical digital forensics and information assurance.  The Master of Science in Cybersecurity - Intelligence and Forensics is designed for professionals working in the field with specializations in cyber conflict, cyber counter intelligence, cyber counter espionage, cyber counterterrorism, cyber counter sabotage and advanced digital forensics. The master's in cybersecurity has experienced explosive growth, with more than six times the expected number of students in its first cohort.

Both programs offer convenience and flexibility to working students who wish to advance their knowledge in this rapidly growing field. Call (866) 295-3106 to find out more about the programs or request more information.

Utica College, a longtime leader in economic crime education, is home to both the Economic Crime Institute (ECI) and the Center for Identity Management and Information Protection (CIMIP), which has garnered national attention for its landmark study of closed Secret Service identity theft cases.  The college also offers a master's degree in economic crime management, MBA in fraud management, MBA in professional accountancy, certificate in financial crimes investigation, and a master's degree in criminal justice administration.

About Utica College – Utica College, founded in 1946, is a comprehensive private institution offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The College, located in upstate central New York, approximately 90 miles west of Albany and 50 miles east of Syracuse, currently enrolls over 3,500 students in 37 undergraduate majors, 27 minors, 22 master’s and two doctoral degree programs.

Contact: Christine Leogrande, Director of Media Relations, (315) 223-2519 [email protected]

SOURCE Utica College