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INFOSEC Certification Program

Interested in a career in INFORMATION ASSURANCE?

Obtaining an INFOSEC certificate from the University of Texas at Austin is a great place to start. Currently, the Department of Computer Sciences offers two INFOSEC certificate programs: INFOSEC Professional and System Certifier.

As early as 1998, the Presidential Commission for Critical Infrastructure Protection highlighted the acute need for well-trained INFOSEC professionals, and national standards. That need continues to escalate today as data breaches reach alarming proportions.

Nationally certified and trained INFOSEC professionals and System Certifiers can make a difference.

INFOSEC PROFESSIONAL

INFOSEC Professionals are individuals responsible for the security oversight or management of national security systems during phases of the life cycle.

Goals of the INFOSEC Professional Certification program

• Educate students in disciplines of telecommunications security and automated information systems (AIS) security
• Provide exposure to key responsibilities regarding security oversight or management of national security systems during phases of life cycle
• Enable students to foster sensitivity to threats and vulnerabilities of national security information systems, to recognize the need to protect data, information and means of processing them, to build working knowledge of INFOSEC principles and practices
• Develop skill/ability to design, execute, evaluate organization/agency INFOSEC security procedures and practices, ensure employees are able to apply security concepts while performing tasks

INFOSEC Professional Certification requirements

Successful certification is achieved after the completion of six three-hour courses, for a total of 18 semester hours. Upon completion of the certification requirements, students apply to the CS Undergraduate Advising Office for certificate of completion. This certificate may be used as part of a resume or as proof of computational knowledge.

Students may earn the INFOSEC Professional certificate, accompanied by a letter explaining the program upon completion of the following with grades of C or better:

CS 352 Computer Architecture

CS 356 Computer Networks

CS 361 Introduction to Computer Security

CS 372 Introduction to Operating Systems

CS 378 Network Security and Privacy

CS 378 Information Assurance and Security

SYSTEM CERTIFIER

System Certifiers perform comprehensive multidiscipline assessments of technical and non-technical security features and other safeguards of an information system in an operational configuration, made in support of the accreditation process; and identify assurance levels achieved in meeting all applicable security policies, standards and requirements for the designated approved authority (DAA). Certifiers’ responsibilities evolve as the system progresses through life cycle process.

Goals of the System Certifier Certification program

• Given an information system, the student, as a System Certifier will be able to explain and apply a recognized methodology leading to the security certification of that system in accordance with a prescribed set of criteria (i.e., the International Common Criteria), and provide an accreditation recommendation to the DAA for consideration in the accreditation decision; performed in accordance with applicable INFOSEC regulations, policies and guidelines.
• Enable students to conduct the following: Document mission need, conduct registration, perform negotiation, prepare system security authorization agreement, support systems development, perform certification analysis, certification evaluation, develop recommendation to DAA, compliance validation, maintenance of System Security Authorization Agreement (SSAA).

System Certifier Certification requirements

Note: Pursuit of SYSTEM CERTIFIER certification is contingent upon completion of the INFOSEC PROFESSIONAL certificate program.

Successful certification as a SYSTEM CERTIFIER is achieved after completion of the INFOSEC Professional certificate, and the three-hour Auditing Certification course. Upon completion of the certification requirements, students apply to the CS Undergraduate Advising Office for certificate of completion. This certificate may be used as part of a resume or as proof of computational knowledge.

Students may earn the System Certifier certificate, accompanied by a letter explaining the program upon completion of the following courses with grades of C or better:

CS 352 Computer Architecture

CS 356 Computer Networks

CS 361 Introduction to Computer Security

CS 372 Introduction to Operating Systems

CS 378 Network Security and Privacy

CS 378 Information Assurance and Security

CS 378 Computer Security/Auditing Certification

UTCS INFOSEC Professional and System Certifier courseware is certified by the Committee on National Security Systems, currently managed by the National Information Assurance Education & Training Program Office within the Information Directorate at the NSA