Career Development Courses

Course Overview

Students study the evolution of emergency management in the United States from early community-based response practices to the current robust national system focused on risk analysis, communications, risk prevention and mitigation, and social and economic recovery. Students examine benchmark policies, regulations, and directives that form the basis of the emergency management field. Students engage in case study research and gain exposure to current and emerging trends in emergency management domestically and internationally.

Course Objectives

1. Gain a sound understanding of the nature of threats and hazards to which we are vulnerable.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the basis for the structure of an emergency management organization.
3. Be able to identify processes and disciplines through which hazards and threats are managed.

Course Overview

Technologies being developed today will enable innovation, creating both local and global economic power shifts. They also create security threats and are already being used as instruments of state power. Our country needs Critical Infrastructure professionals who understand issues and threats of new technology, and who can help protect their organization from them. This course will help professionals understand both strategic and tactical issues created by new technologies, and provide an introduction to two of the most significant emerging technologies today — Quantum Computing and Blockchain.

Course Objectives

1. Understand the role emerging technologies play in allowing countries to gain economic and strategic advantage in the world economy.
2. Apply that understanding to protecting Homeland Security, Critical Infrastructure and Industry.
3. Demonstrate a basic understating of Quantum and Blockchain, and how they are likely to transform critical infrastructure protection.
4. Analyze emerging technologies for potential opportunities and risks to critical infrastructure.
5. Prioritize areas in for risk mitigation and resilience, whether in Critical Infrastructure or industry.

Course Overview

This two part course introduces students to cybersecurity. IHSSR1002 is the first part of the course and focuses on the fundamentals of cybersecurity. Students examine the problem of cybersecurity from a homeland security perspective. Students explore the diversity of threats and security measures in cyberspace from a non-technical perspective and with a focus on laws, strategies, and policies. Security issues, from crime to espionage to cyberwar, will be considered on both the micro and macro-level.

Course Objectives

1. Learn the principles and technologies that make up the cyber ecosystem, how these systems work, and how they introduce and present risks and opportunities.
2. Learn how to model cyber threats: identifying and building structured responses to vulnerabilities that cyberattacks might capitalize on.
3. Gain an understanding of cybersecurity operations, and how organizations can structure their security architectures to respond to and manage threats and vulnerabilities.

Course Overview

This two part course introduces students to cybersecurity. IHSSR1003 is the second part of the course and focuses on cybersecurity policy and governance. Students examine the problem of cybersecurity from a homeland security perspective. Students explore the diversity of threats and security measures in cyberspace from a non-technical perspective and with a focus on laws, strategies, and policies. Security issues, from crime to espionage to cyberwar, will be considered on both the micro and macro-level.

Course Objectives

In this course you will gain a foundational understanding of the principles and practices of cybersecurity, and acquire essential skills for understanding and responding to cyber risks. In doing so you will:

1. Gain an understanding of cybersecurity operations, and how organizations can structure their security architectures to respond to and manage threats and vulnerabilities.
2. Learn the basics of cyber risk management, as well as how the concept of "trust" and identity verification are central to managing cyber risk.
3. Apply what you have learned to the urgent global connection between cybersecurity and national security, focusing on cyber statecraft, cybercrime, and the uncertain future posed by Governments efforts to adapt to expanding technological capabilities.

Course Overview

Globalization has made society increasingly reliant on technology for every facet of human endeavors. As a result of the reliance on interdependent technology society has become more vulnerable to major disruptions. This course familiarizes students with the concept of Critical Infrastructure (CI), the risks it faces, and how to protect against them. Students explore opportunities associated with infrastructure-related public-private partnerships, information sharing, risk analysis and prioritization, risk mitigation, performance metrics, program management, incident management, and investing for the future.

Course Objectives

1. Describe the evolution of the concept of critical infrastructure security and resilience in the United States.
2. Identify the relevant authorities and guidance and their importance to policy decisions in critical infrastructure Understand how CIKR works, at a high level, and identify sector vulnerability, risk, resilience, and catastrophic failure modes.
3. Understand critical infrastructure as an evolving complex system of systems, and identify potential future failure modes.
4. Understand the interdependence of sectors, especially with cyber-security.

Course Overview

Students study the architecture of the energy sector, one of the Department of Homeland Security's sixteen designated critical infrastructure sectors. Students examine the main energy sector nodes and their interdependencies with other sectors, evaluate insider and outsider threats and hazards, and apply proper risk assessment models to reduce the energy sector's vulnerability. Students become acquainted with alternative energy sources, renewable technologies, and best management practices of energy resources for a sustainable future.

Course Objectives

1. Analyze the threats to US energy security.
2. Examine the interconnectedness of energy security, homeland security, and external factors such as climate and geopolitics.

Course Overview

This course will focus on specific operational issues pertaining to the chemical and energy critical infrastructure sectors, including specific vulnerabilities and unique features and stakeholders that have an impact on maintaining resilient systems and the maintenance of continuity of operations. The course will provide security professionals in the chemical and energy sectors, and those planning careers in these areas, with the tools to understand threats, conduct assessments, engage in planning and manage crises.

Course Overview

Students explore those aspects of the public health discipline and profession that fall under the homeland security umbrella. Students examine the nature of communicable diseases and pandemics, the role of syndromic surveillance, quarantine laws and policies, and the role of international, federal, state, and local agencies in coping with pandemics. Students also explore cases of major pandemics and the lessons learned from these events and their respective outcomes.

Course Overview

This course focuses on specific operational issues pertaining to the healthcare critical infrastructure sector, including specific vulnerabilities and unique features and stakeholders that have an impact on maintaining resilient healthcare systems that can provide an appropriate level of care for patients. The course provides security professionals in the healthcare sector, and those planning careers in this area, with the tools to understand threats, conduct assessments, engage in planning and manage crises.

Course Overview

Students examine a wide range of facets that comprise the field of transportation security. As part of this course students assess the capabilities and vulnerabilities of the transportation network as well as explore the agencies and governance issues impacting transportation security. Students gain an understanding of the various transportation systems (road, rail, maritime, and aviation). Students also explore the layers of security and understanding the role of government and the private sector in securing the transportation system.

Course Objective

1. Illustrate the capabilities and vulnerabilities of the transportation network.
2. Assess risk in the transportation sector.
3. Illustrate the public and private sector entities engaged in transportation security.
4. Synthesize layers of security with security strategies.
5. Analyze the processes of risk management and emergency management.

Course Overview

Students will explore operational issues pertaining to the transportation critical infrastructure sector. This includes identifying specific vulnerabilities and unique features and stakeholders that have an impact on maintaining resilient transportation networks and continuity of operations. Students will learn the tools to understand threats, conduct assessments, engage in planning and manage crises to develop careers as security professionals in the transportation sector.