Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (2024)

Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (1)

Begin Campus

Any Penn State Campus

End Campus

University Park, World Campus

Degree Information At Additional Campuses

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Security and Risk Analysis (SRA) in the College of Information Sciences and Technology responds to the expanding need for a highly trained analytic workforce to address a wide range of security and risk domains including national/homeland security, emergency and disaster management, law and crime, as well as enterprise risk management.

SRA program prepares students with core competence in four knowledge areas:

  1. understanding the fundamentals of security, risk, analytic methods and decision support for the purpose of recognizing, articulating, and addressing analytic needs;
  2. understanding the roles of data and analytics in various security domains and organizational contexts;
  3. applying data analytics, methods, and tools (structured analytics; data gathering and manipulation; visual analytics; analytic judgements and presentation) to derive and communicate insights and actionable knowledge;
  4. the legal, ethical, and professional issues within which analytics of security and risk are conducted.

Students may specialize in risk domains ranging from national security to community emergency preparedness and response. The SRA program positions our students to be future leaders to address the current and emerging security and risk challenges that face individuals, organizations and our nation.

SRA majors will choose one of the following options:

Intelligence Analysis and Modeling Option

Available at the following campuses: University Park, World Campus

This option focuses on developing a more thorough knowledge of the strategic and tactical levels of intelligence collection, analysis, and decision-making. This includes examining the foundations of decision analysis, economic theory, statistics, data mining, and knowledge management, as well as the security-specific contexts in which such knowledge is applied.

Information and Cyber Security Option

Available at the following campuses: Altoona, Berks, Harrisburg, University Park, World Campus

This option includes a set of courses that provides an understanding of the theories, skills, and technologies associated with network security, cyber threat defense, information warfare, and critical infrastructure protection across multiple venues.

What is Security and Risk Analysis?

Security and risk analysis is a field that explores the integrated processes conducted to provide decision-makers with the information needed to understand factors that can negatively influence operations and outcomes, and make informed judgments concerning the extent of actions needed to reduce vulnerabilities, protect resources, and optimize investments. Security and risk analysis is a field of practice with two blended concentration areas: 1) security, which seeks to identify, understand, and analyze critical local, national and international security issues, and 2) risk, which includes risk assessment, risk characterization, risk communication, risk management, and the formulation of risk policy. In practice, the issues and processes for conducting of security and risk analytics are neither separate nor sequential. To be effective, the issues of security and risk must be addressed concurrently and synergistically.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SECURITY AND RISK ANALYSIS

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You want to protect people, information, and assets from manmade and natural threats.
  • You want to understand the role of data in protecting individuals, organizations and our nation.
  • You are mission oriented, a good critical thinker and wish to put your problem-solving skills to work to make the world a safer place.
  • You want to make informed strategic decisions that help to defend critical infrastructures that supports our daily lives.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHY STUDENTS CHOOSE TO STUDY SECURITY AND RISK ANALYSIS

Entrance to Major

University Park

This program currently has administrative enrollment controls. Administrative Enrollment Controls are initiated when limitations of space, faculty, or other resources in a major prevent accommodating all students who request them. Students must follow the administrative enrollment controls that are in effect for the semester that they enter the university.

First-Year Students Entering Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025

In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, students must satisfy the following requirements:

  • be enrolled in the College of Information Sciences and Technology or the Division of Undergraduate Studies
  • 40-70 graded Penn State credits (excludes transfer and AP credits)
  • completed with a grade of C or better: IST140 or CMPSC101 or CMPSC121, IST210, SRA111, SRA211
  • earned a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.70

Students Who Entered Prior to Summer 2024

Students who entered the University from Summer 2018 through Spring 2024 should view the administrative enrollment controls in the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin archive. Students who entered the University prior to the summer 2018 semester should consult with their academic adviser about the administrative enrollment controls in effect for the semester they entered the university.

World Campus

In addition to the minimum grade point average (GPA) requirements described in the University Policies*, all Security and Risk Analysis (SRA) entrance to major course requirements must also be completed with a minimum grade of C: IST140 (or equivalent CMPSC101 or CMPSC121), IST210, SRA111, and SRA211. All of these courses must be completed by the end of the semester during which the admission to major process is carried out.

* In the event that the major is under enrollment control, a higher minimum cumulative grade-point average is likely to be needed at the time of confirming their major choice.

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Science degree in Security and Risk Analysis, a minimum of 120 credits is required:

Program Requirements
Requirement Credits
General Education 45
Electives 5-13
Requirements for the Major 77-85

15 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major.This includes: 6 credits of GQ courses; 6 credits of GS courses; and 3 credits of GWS courses.

Requirements for the Major

To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)

Course List
Code Title Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
IST110Information, People and Technology Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (2)3
IST210Organization of Data3
IST432Legal and Regulatory Environment of Information Science and Technology3
IST495Internship1
SRA111Introduction to Security and Risk Analysis Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (3)3
SRA211Threat of Terrorism and Crime3
SRA221Overview of Information Security3
SRA231Decision Theory and Analysis3
STAT200Elementary Statistics Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (4)4
Additional Courses
ENGL202CEffective Writing: Technical Writing Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (5)3
orENGL202D Effective Writing: Business Writing Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (6)
PSYCH100Introductory Psychology Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (7)3
orSOC5 Social Problems Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (8)
Select one of the following:3

AGBM101

Economic Principles of Agribusiness Decision Making Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (9)

ECON102

Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (10)

ECON104

Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (11)
Select one of the following:3-5

MATH22

College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (12)

MATH26

Plane Trigonometry and Applications of Trigonometry Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (13)

MATH40

Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (14)

MATH41

Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (15)

MATH110

Techniques of Calculus I Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (16)

MATH140

Calculus With Analytic Geometry I Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (17)
Select one of the following:3

GEOG128

Geography of International Affairs Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (18)

PLSC1

American Politics: Principles, Processes and Powers Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (19)

PLSC14

International Relations Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (20)
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
SRA365Statistics for Security and Risk Analysis3
orSTAT460 Intermediate Applied Statistics
Select one of the following:3

IST140

Introduction to Application Development

CMPSC101

Introduction to Programming Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (21)

CMPSC121

Introduction to Programming Techniques
Requirements for the Option
Select an option30-36

Requirements for the Option

Intelligence Analysis and Modeling Option (36 credits)

Available at the following campuses: University Park, World Campus

Course List
Code Title Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
IST452Legal and Regulatory Environment of Privacy and Security3
SRA268Visual Analytics3
SRA311WRisk Analysis in a Security Context3
SRA421The Intelligence Environment3
SRA433Deception and Counterdeception3
SRA440WSecurity and Risk Analysis Capstone Course3
SRA468Spatial Analysis of Risks3
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 15 credits from College-approved list (at least 3 credits must be at the 400-level)15
Information and Cyber Security Option (30 credits)

Available at the following campuses: Altoona, Berks, Harrisburg, University Park, World Campus

Course List
Code Title Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
IST220Networking and Telecommunications3
IST451Network Security3
IST454Computer and Cyber Forensics3
IST456Information Security Management3
SRA311Risk Analysis in a Security Context3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
IST440WInformation Sciences and Technology Integration and Problem Solving3
orSRA440W Security and Risk Analysis Capstone Course
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 12 credits from College-approved list (at least 3 credits must be at the 400-level)12

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (22) appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

  • Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

  • GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
  • GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

  • United States Cultures: 3 credits
  • International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Integrated B.S. in Security and Risk Analysis and M.S. in Informatics

Available at the following campuses: University Park

Requirements for the Integrated B.S. in Security and Risk Analysis and M.S. in Informatics can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

Integrated B.S. in Security and Risk Analysis and M.I.A. in International Affairs

Available at the following campuses: University Park

Requirements for the Integrated B.S. in Security and Risk Analysis and M.I.A. in International Affairs can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

Program Learning Objectives

  • Knowledge/Application: Understand and apply the language of security and risk analysis sciences
    • Define and explain the core concepts, principles, processes, and theories within the academic SRA Major
    • Apply the core concepts of SRA to real-world problems
  • Problem-Solving: Understand, apply and adapt various problem solving strategies to address security and risk problems within the individual, community, organizational and national security dimensions
    • Identify security and risk problem terms of the individual, community, organizational and national security levels of analysis
    • Analyze issues surrounding the problem and/or opportunity in terms of the human, informational, and technology dimensions; and determine the requirements appropriate to understanding the situation
    • Identify and recognize countermeasure application strategies to address security needs to include architectures, processes, components, or programs to meet desired needs at varying levels of analysis (e.g., individual, community, organizational and/or national security)
  • Communication (Individual and Team): Communicate and work effectively (both individually and in teams) with a range of perspectives and audiences through a variety of media
    • Participate effectively on teams in order to accomplish a common goal
    • Communicate effectively with a range of audiences, formally or informally, through writing and the spoken word from an analytic perspective to include concision, analytic reasoning and active voice
    • Seek out, analyze, and incorporate diverse ideas and broader perspectives represented in the diversity of people
    • Make respectful and inclusive choices in interacting with customers, peers, supervisors, and/or subordinates with a diversity of identity characteristics (e.g., age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, or veteran status)
  • Professional Responsibilities: Understand professional responsibilities in terms of the ethical, legal, security and social aspects of any given problem and its solution
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the cognitive, social, legal, ethical, diversity, and security perspectives surrounding a given problem
    • Assess the impact of information, computing and technology on individuals, groups, organizations, society, and the world for the purpose of making informed decisions from a sociological, governmental, legal, and/or security perspective.
  • Lifelong Learning: Commit to the continuous acquisition of relevant knowledge for professional development by self-teaching and/or on-going education and learning
    • Employ information-seeking strategies and self-directed learning in pursuit of current knowledge
    • Enroll in professional development and tutoring opportunities

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Undergraduate Academic Advising Center
E103 Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-8947
advising@ist.psu.edu

Altoona

David Barnes
Teaching Professor, Information Sciences and Technology
Penn Building 212C, 3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5275
drb21@psu.edu

Berks

Tricia Clark
Program Coordinator, Instructor
Gaige 211
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6349
BKSecRiskAnalysis@psu.edu

Harrisburg

Jesse Middaugh, PMP
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building E335
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6153
jlm10@psu.edu

World Campus

Undergraduate Academic Advising
301 Outreach Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3283
advising@outreach.psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

Intelligence Analysis and Modeling Option: Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. at University Park Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SRA111*#3SRA211*#3
IST110*#3CAS1003
ENGL15, 30H, or ESL 153ECON102, 104, or AGBM 1013
IST140*#3MATH22, 26, 40, 41, 110, or 1403-5
General Education Course (GN, GA, GH, or GHW)3General Education Course (GN, GA, GH, or GHW)3
1515-17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SRA221*3SRA231*3
STAT2004PSYCH100 or SOC 53
SRA268*3IST210*#3
PLSC1, 14, or GEOG 1283US or IL or Elective3
Supporting Course3Supporting Course3
1615
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
SRA311W*3SRA468*3IST495*11
SRA365 or STAT 460*3ENGL202C or 202D3
US or IL or Elective3IST432*3
Supporting Course3General Education Course (GN, GA, GH, or GHW)3
General Education Course (GN, GA, GH, or GHW)3General Education Course (GN, GA, GH, or GHW)3
15151
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
IST452*3SRA433*3
SRA421*3SRA440W*3
400 Level Support of Option3Support of Option3
General Education Course (GN, GA, GH, or GHW)3General Education Course (GN, GA, GH, or GHW)3
General Education Course (GN, GA, GH, or GHW)3Elective1
1513
Total Credits 120-122
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

1 credit of IST495 is required. A grade of C or better must be earned in this course. This requirement can be completed at any time before graduation.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL137H/CAS137H in the fall semester and ENGL138T/CAS138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL15/ENGL30H and CAS100A/CAS100B/CAS100C. Each course is 3 credits.

Advising Notes:

For current Supporting Courses and Related Areas list see department website.

Information and Cyber Security Option: Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. at University Park Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SRA111*#3SRA211*#3
IST110*#3CAS1003
ENGL15 or 30H3ECON1023
IST140*#3MATH22, 26, 40, 41, 110, or 140 (GQ)3-5
General Education (GN, GA, GH or GHW)3General Education (GN, GA, GH or GHW)3
1515-17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SRA221*3SRA231*3
STAT2004PSYCH100 or SOC 5 (GS)3
IST220*3IST210*3
GEOG128, PLSC 1, or PLSC 14 (GS)3US or IL or Elective3
Supporting Course from Department List3Supporting Course from Department List3
1615
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
SRA311*3IST432*3IST495*11
SRA365*3IST451*3
Supporting Course from Department List3ENGL202C or 202D3
International Course (IL)3General Education Course (GA, GH, or GHW)3
General Education Course (GA)3Elective3
15151
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
IST456*3SRA440W*3
400 level Supporting Course from Department List3IST454*3
General Education Course (GA, GH, or GHW)3General Education Course (GA, GH, or GHW)3
General Education Course (GA, GH, or GHW)3General Education Course (GA, GH, or GHW)3
Elective3Elective1
1513
Total Credits 120-122
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

1 credit of IST495 is required. A grade of C or better must be earned in this course. This requirement can be completed at any time before graduation.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL137H/CAS137H in the fall semester and ENGL138T/CAS138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL15/ENGL30H and CAS100A/CAS100B/CAS100C. Each course is 3 credits.

Advising Notes:

Career Paths

The Security and Risk Analysis program responds to the expanding need for a highly trained analytic workforce to address a wide range of security and risk domains including national/homeland security, emergency and disaster management, law and crime, as well as enterprise risk management. The SRA degree prepares students to be future leaders to address the current and emerging security and risk challenges that face individuals, organizations and our nation. IST's Office of Career Solutions helps students navigate internship and career development through coaching, workshops, interview preparation, resume reviews, career fairs, job postings, and networking opportunities.

Careers

Security and Risk Analysis students may specialize in risk domains ranging from national security to community emergency preparedness and response. Because our courses blend technical knowledge with skills in communication and business, a Security and Risk Analysis degree allows students to pursue opportunities in intelligence, counterterrorism, computer forensics, and a number of other growing careers. SRA graduates work in a variety of fields, including defense, business, and emergency management; and many graduates go on to work for government intelligence agencies like the CIA, FBI, and NSA.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE SECURITY AND RISK ANALYSIS PROGRAM

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

With a focus on problem solving, critical thinking and the presentation of analytic findings, the SRA program is a great stepping-stone to graduate education and higher learning. Many SRA graduates will go on to pursue graduate degrees in fields like law, cyber security, and data science. The foundational skills obtained in the SRA degree directly apply to graduate education.

Contact

University Park

COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
411 Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub Building
State College, PA 16801
814-865-3528

World Campus

COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
411 Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub Building
State College, PA 16801
814-865-3528

https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-security-and-risk-analysis-information-and-cybersecurity-bachelor-of-science-degree

Altoona

DIVISION OF BUSINESS, ENGINEERING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
Penn Building 212C, 3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5275
drb21@psu.edu

https://altoona.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/security-risk-analysis

Berks

EBC DIVISION
Gaige Building
Reading, PA
610-396-6349
BKSecRiskAnalysis@psu.edu

https://berks.psu.edu/academics/bs-security-and-risk-analysis

Harrisburg

DEPARTMENT OF SECURITY AND RISK ANALYSIS
Olmsted Building E355
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6141
ljc43@psu.edu

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/business-administration/security-risk-analysis-bs

Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Information Sciences and Technology) | Penn State (2024)

FAQs

Is security and risk analysis a good degree? ›

Students in the concentration can prepare for diverse and rewarding career opportunities across a wide range of industries, including finance, healthcare, insurance and technology. Graduates who have completed the Risk Management and Cyber Security Concentration go on to obtain jobs as: Corporate risk analysts.

Is Penn State a good school for cyber security? ›

Nationally Recognized Program

Penn State is recognized by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense.

What GPA do you need for Penn State cybersecurity? ›

completed with a grade of C or better: CYBER 100/CYBER 100S, IST 210, IST 220, IST 242 or CMPSC 122 or CMPSC 132, STAT 200 or SCM 200. earned a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.90.

What is a Bachelor of Science in security and risk analysis? ›

Developing Your Skills

In the Security and Risk Analysis program, you'll prepare to recognize, communicate, and address the analytic needs of a wide range of security and risk domains, including national security, emergency management, law and crime, and enterprise risk management.

Do risk analysts make a lot of money? ›

average risk analyst salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median yearly salary for risk analysts is about $102,120. However, the starting salary for this role can be as low as $59,510 or $28.61 per hour.

What is the salary of information security and risk analyst? ›

What is the salary trajectory for a Risk Analyst?
Job titleSalary
Risk Analyst£41,399 /yr
Lead Risk Analyst£40,669 /yr
Risk Analyst I£43,394 /yr
Jul 20, 2024

What is the #1 cyber security school in the US? ›

The No. 1 Cyber Security college is often considered to be Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), specifically its Heinz College and CyLab Security and Privacy Institute.

Which bachelor's degree is best for cyber security? ›

Computer engineering: A Bachelor of Science in computer engineering combines computer science with electrical engineering, with coursework in hardware, software, and computer programming. This path may interest you if you'd like to work with embedded systems security.

What GPA do you need for cyber security? ›

GPA Requirements for Graduate Cybersecurity Programs

A minimum GPA of 3.0 to 3.25 is often required, but this can vary by institution and program. However, a lower undergraduate GPA doesn't necessarily mean the end of one's graduate aspirations.

Do you need high level math for cyber security? ›

Cybersecurity majors with a computer science focus often need a strong background in math, particularly in areas like calculus, discrete mathematics, and statistics. On the other hand, cybersecurity-focused degrees like information technology may have fewer math requirements, occasionally skipping advanced calculus.

What math is required for cyber security degree? ›

What math topics are essential for cybersecurity? Key math topics in cybersecurity include number theory (for encryption), probability and statistics (for risk assessment), linear algebra (for cryptography), discrete mathematics (for logic and algorithms), and calculus (for network analysis).

Is going to school for cyber security hard? ›

Cyber security can be challenging to learn, but just like any other field, as long as you have passion and a willingness to learn, cyber security can be very doable.

Is risk analysis a good career? ›

Being a Risk Analyst is unquestionably a prestigious and rewarding career choice. To evaluate its attractiveness, let's break down various factors: Opportunities for Advancement (Score: 8): As a high-level position, the Risk Analyst role offers considerable influence and decision-making authority.

How hard is it to become a risk analyst? ›

Risk analysts typically hold bachelor's degrees in finance, economics, accounting, business or mathematics. Some pursue graduate study, and many earn CRA or CFA certifications. Along with formal qualifications, these professionals need good numeracy and strong communication, analysis and decision-making skills.

Is security and Risk Management a good career? ›

A career in IT risk management offers several advantages, including high demand in the tech industry, which provides job security and competitive salaries. Professionals in this field often enjoy challenging and intellectually stimulating work.

Is security and risk management a good career? ›

A career in IT risk management offers several advantages, including high demand in the tech industry, which provides job security and competitive salaries. Professionals in this field often enjoy challenging and intellectually stimulating work.

Is a security analyst a good job? ›

Yes, being an information security analyst is a good career choice. While it requires a combination of education, experience, and the right temperament, there are multiple benefits of a career as a security analyst, such as: It pays well - The median income for security analysts is over $100,000.

What does a risk and security analyst do? ›

One of the main roles of a security analyst is to identify potential threats. They constantly monitor systems, networks and databases for suspicious activity, establishing incident response protocols when threats are detected.

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