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B.S. in Cybersecurity: Digital Forensics and Incident Response Specialization

Bring Criminals to Justice Across the Globe Using Digital Evidence

Explore Computer Science and Forensics

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Industry-Experienced Faculty

Earn Digital Badges

Learn More Today

Complete the form to learn more about this program.

  • Duration 2-4 years
  • Cost per Credit $475
  • Credit Hours 120

Program Benefits

  • Gain a cross-functional skillset
  • NSA/DHS National Center of Academic Excellence
  • Expert faculty with deep industry knowledge
  • 6 start dates per year

Merge Disciplines to Defend Against Cybercrime

Utica University’s online Digital Forensics and Incident Response specialization in the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program prepares you with the exciting knowledge and skills to conduct computer network investigations when cyber-related incidents occur.

This specialization brings together both computer science and computer forensics to give you the hands-on experience necessary to safely and ethically collect digital evidence, recover data, and organize digital imaging to help law enforcement prosecute those responsible for cybercrimes. You’ll also learn what it takes to prevent attacks and make an organization’s network stronger through vulnerability assessments, cybersecurity scripting, and Python programming.

Utica University is a leader in cybersecurity education, designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency.

Elevate Your Skills with Real-World Simulations

RangeForce logo

Gain crucial cybersecurity experience and become a better cyber defender. Many of Utica University’s cybersecurity courses include RangeForce, an innovative cloud-based training platform that simulates real-world cybersecurity battles. You’ll work to conquer threats, beat hacking simulations, and perfect your approach through gamified activities. These immersive experiences are separated into Learning Paths. As you successfully complete each Learning Path, you’ll earn impressive digital badges that you can share on your résumé and on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Career Outlook

Cyber incidents have been identified as the most important business risk across the globe.1 It’s no wonder employment for careers like information security analyst are growing much faster than average and on pace for up to 219,500 jobs by 2031.2

As a graduate of this specialization, you’ll be prepared for entry-level opportunities in industries like law enforcement, health care information security, and corporate or industrial security.

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: DIGITAL FORENSICS INVESTIGATOR

$64,108/year

As a digital forensics investigator, you would work with law enforcement agencies and private firms to obtain digital information in a way that’s vital to closing investigations and prosecuting cybercriminals. You’d also be the expert that rebuilds the system to recover lost data if equipment has been damaged.3

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: NETWORK SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR

$80,893/year

As a network security administrator, you’d be in charge of tasks like monitoring suspicious activity, running regular backups, and maintaining user accounts. You’d be the person to detect weakness in an organization’s network and develop internal procedures to find those vulnerabilities.4

Other titles you may qualify for:

  • Computer Forensics Investigator
  • IT Security Consultant
  • Penetration Tester
  • Law Enforcement
Jobs and Income

Curriculum: Gain Valuable, Hands-On Experience

Utica’s hands-on curriculum integrates the latest technologies and data available in criminology, criminal justice, financial crime, and computer forensics. Through an innovative, multidisciplinary approach, you’ll learn critical cybersecurity skills like information system audits and incident response tools.

Course Spotlight: CYB 355 – Digital Forensics I

This course explores practical methodologies for digital forensic examinations and intrusion detection. Students will learn how to acquire, authenticate, recover, and analyze forensic data to track user activity. Industry-leading tools are used to perform an in-depth analysis of Windows operating system artifacts providing students with the necessary skills to investigate a multitude of incident types. Prerequisite(s): CYB 205.

Explore Courses

CYB 457 – Network Forensics

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the technology, procedures, laws, regulations, and ethics related to network forensics. Prerequisite(s): CYB 356.

More Options for Your Degree

B.S. in Cybersecurity: Cyber Operations

The Cyber Operations specialization provides skills in defensive and offensive tactics, techniques, and procedures. Develop real-world skills using industry-recognized cyber operations tools. Gain advanced instruction on vulnerability assessments, malware analysis, and incident response.

B.S. in Cybersecurity: Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation

Prepare to lead the fight against digital white-collar crimes such as fraud, money laundering, and corruption. Learn about modern payment systems from a global perspective while studying techniques to prevent, detect, and investigate fraud. Discover counter-efforts that include fraud prevention and fraud detection technologies that include digital forensics skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Advancing your life and career with an online degree comes with lots of questions, and we want to ensure your search for answers is effortless. If you have a question we haven’t covered, call (866) 295-3106 to speak with an enrollment counselor.

You can earn your bachelor’s degree in approximately three years by taking one class every 8 weeks in each 16-week semester. With Program Director permission, you can complete the program in a shorter time frame by taking more credits per semester.

Opportunities abound in this incredible field. There will be 3.5 million unfilled jobs in cybersecurity by 2021 and it’s projected cybercrime will cost organizations worldwide $6 trillion.

Companies desperately need qualified information security experts. 100,000 new jobs were posted in 2016 alone, and the median pay for entry-level Information Security Analysts was $95,510 in 2017.

Learn more about your career outlook in cybersecurity.

You don’t need a background in cybersecurity or computer science to apply to this program. Learn more about the admission requirements for this program.

This 60–63-credit program (variable based on your specialization and senior project) costs $475 per credit hour. Before including fees and other education costs, your tuition estimate is $28,500–$29,925.

Learn more about tuition for this program.

It’s up to you. We’ve designed our program to fit into the lives of students as they maintain full-time employment. As such, a typical course load is one class every eight weeks in each 16-week semester. This is considered full-time for financial aid purposes.

To begin with, you’ll take classes that give you a solid foundation of cybersecurity and computer science knowledge and skills. You will also focus your coursework through one of three specializations:

  • Network Forensics and Intrusion Investigation
  • Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation
  • Cyber Operations

Learn more about how our cybersecurity curriculum prepares you to guard private information, identify network weaknesses, and defend against threats from hackers, malware, and other cyberthreats.

Sources

  1. Allianz. (2023). Allianz Risk Barometer. Retrieved February 17, 2023 from https://www.agcs.allianz.com/news-and-insights/reports/allianz-risk-barometer.html.
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). Information Security Analysts. Retrieved February 17, 2023 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm.
  3. Glassdoor (2023). “Digital Forensics Investigator: Salary.” Retrieved February 17, 2023 from https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/digital-forensics-investigator-salary-SRCH_KO0,30.htm.
  4. Glassdoor (2023). “Network Security Administrator: Salary.” Retrieved February 17, 2023 from https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/network-security-administrator-salary-SRCH_KO0,30.htm.