Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology

Cybersecurity Program at Stevens Institute of Technology Trains Next Generation of Cyber Defense Experts

Cyberattacks are on the rise and massive organizations such as Equifax, retail giants like Target, and even government agencies are facing the threat of serious information security breaches. Cybersecurity has never been so relevant or salient.

Stevens Institute of Technology's Department of Computer Science is diligently preparing the next wave of cybersecurity experts to sit on the front lines of the information battle. Home to renowned experts in the field of cybersecurity, the emphasis on innovation within the department is evident in the technological solutions being produced.

Stevens expert cybersecurity researcher Giuseppe Ateniese, together with financial technology giant Accenture, has developed a way to edit blockchains that can be changed to correct mistakes such as a fat finger entry. He and his team have also harnessed the power of machine learning to develop a powerful password cracker that detects commonly used password patterns, the implications of which could allow law enforcement to crack terrorist communications, among other applications.

As a leading institution in cybersecurity research and education, Stevens' cybersecurity program is designed and consistently refined to meet criteria for cybersecurity excellence set by the National Security Agency.

With both a bachelor's and master's degree, it's one of the few programs in the country that examines the underlying technical material underpinning cybersecurity, giving students a clear picture not only of its foundations, but of the interrelatedness between different layers and concepts within it. Dedicated courses built around key concepts such as cryptography and systems security give students a thorough understanding of the "why" behind cybersecurity technology and practices.

"We don't just teach people how to use the layer on top without giving them an understanding of what's underneath," said program director Antonio Nicolosi. "We take everything apart and look at the nuts and bolts that underpin the algorithms and the techniques that go along with it."

The university carries status as a National Center of Academic Excellence in cyber defense education and is home to the Center for the Advancement of Secure Systems and Information Assurance (CASSIA). This research center fosters multidisciplinary collaboration and acts as a catalyst for research, education and entrepreneurship in information assurance and cybersecurity, allowing Stevens students to participate in groundbreaking research projects.

The NSA designation has established Stevens as a major research center in cybersecurity, and it attracts significant funding for research initiatives, capacity-building and instructional program development.

Receiving a thorough education from an institution with these credentials gives Stevens' graduates a major advantage in the job market.

"Stevens has an impeccable reputation in technical industries and I believe the knowledge and understanding I'm partaking in is second-to-none," said Mark Wilson, a cybersecurity master's student at the university. "Stevens' Career Center is known to be one of the best placement centers nationwide, and I spoke with many Stevens alumni who assured me that the education gained by attending Stevens will set me up for future success. All of that reassured me that I would be able to find a job in cybersecurity."

Wilson currently works as a computer service technician in the digital forensics lab at the prosecutor's office in Bergen County, New Jersey.

"The faculty at Stevens is extremely knowledgeable in what they teach. This has allowed me to learn much more than just what was taught in class. All the professors I had have one common theme: they want students to succeed."

Wilson, who will graduate from Stevens in the spring of 2018, hopes to enter the growing field of cybersecurity with solid experience and feels confident in what he's learning.

"My experience with the cybersecurity master's program at Stevens has been very positive. I have expanded my knowledge to know what to expect in the industry and how to apply what I learned in order to be successful in my future endeavors," said Wilson.

Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken NJ
888.STEVENS