{"id":680,"date":"2019-07-17T18:18:43","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/nsarecertification\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:18:43","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:43","slug":"nsarecertification","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/nsarecertification\/","title":{"rendered":"2011 WCSU information security courses gain NSA recertification"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 Western Connecticut State University\u2019s Ancell School of Business<\/a> (ASB) recently received federal reaffirmation of its important commitment to strengthen information technology security through comprehensive education in safeguards to protect the nation\u2019s critical IT systems infrastructure.<\/p>\n

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The Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) of the National Security Agency in July issued its recertification<\/a> of courses offered by the ASB management information systems (MIS) department as part of the MIS information security management (ISM) option. The federal agency found that five core courses offered in the ISM option are in full compliance with the National Standard for Information Systems Security Professionals, also known as CNSS Standard 4011.<\/p>\n

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CNSS certification, previously awarded to WCSU\u2019s Ancell School in 2006, validates that the MIS curriculum meets tough federal standards for training professionals in the field of information systems security. The recertification announcement noted that the five courses \u2014 Information Systems Concepts, Database Applications in Business, Information Systems Security, Information Assurance, and Fundamentals of Data Communications \u2014 met recertification criteria covering a diverse range of 256 topics related to telecommunications and IT systems security<\/p>\n

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WCSU is the only institution in Connecticut, and one of fewer than 200 institutions nationwide, to gain certification for meeting one or more of the information assurance training standards<\/a> established by the CNSS. MIS Professor Dr. Marie Wright<\/a> observed that Ancell has made a strong commitment over the past decade to \u201cthe development and implementation of the ISM program, years before other schools recognized the importance of information security education.<\/p>\n

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\u201cInformation security is focused very much on protecting the nation\u2019s critical infrastructures,\u201d she said. \u201cNinety percent of our critical infrastructures are owned and operated by private businesses in areas such as telecommunications, banking and financial systems, and the production and storage of oil and gas.\u201d<\/p>\n

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An important element of Western\u2019s ISM program is its integration of the human and technological aspects of information security. \u201cThe program incorporates both behavioral and technical perspectives of security, and is intended to offer a broad perspective,\u201d the ISM curriculum statement notes. \u201cThe purpose of the program is to elevate the importance of the behavioral aspects of security, while continuing to recognize the importance of technological security controls.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The CNSS recertification enables the university to issue certificates of educational compliance with Standard 4011 to all graduates who earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in MIS with the ISM option. Graduates from this program in recent years have found this credential to be a helpful addition to their resumes in securing employment in areas such as network information security, database and information management, and similar positions in the corporate world.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe are a nation at risk,\u201d Wright observed. \u201cAchieving recertification from NSA adds credence to our security program, and helps to establish important career pathways for our students. We see this recertification as a real benefit to our students, to the school and to the entire university. We\u2019re quite proud of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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For more information, contact Wright at wrightm@wcsu.edu or the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.<\/p>\n

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\n Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York.
\n Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics
\n of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/em><\/p>\n

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