Prepare for

What’s Next
in Cybersecurity
Online Master of Engineering in
Cybersecurity Analytics

onlinecybersecurity.seas.gwu.edu
Cybersecurity is all about
the details. It’s those small
Protect Against
abnormalities in network traffic, the Next Generation
for example, that might signal that
an advanced persistent threat is
underway. The GW cybersecurity
of Cyberthreat
analytics program empowers
graduates with data analytics skills
within the context of cybersecurity,
The Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity Analytics
so they can protect against
program at GW provides students the opportunity to
common types of attacks while develop the technical skills needed to identify threats,
also preparing for the threats that create strategic response plans and develop proactive
don’t yet have a proven detection cybersecurity solutions.
and response strategy.”
The program not only prepares graduates for the current challenges
in the field, but also helps them prepare for addressing even greater
— John P. Sahlin, Ph.D.,
imminent cyberthreats.
Professorial Lecturer in Engineering
Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity Analytics
The online Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity Analytics offers practical experience
using cybersecurity and data analytics tools to identify and mitigate damage from an array
of cyberthreats. The curriculum comprehensively covers traditional methods for intrusion
detection and assessing information security risks as well as new approaches such as
semantic analysis of open-source intelligence (e.g., social media).

The program is designed to provide the foundational technical skills needed to excel in a
cybersecurity career, therefore it is accessible to those who are looking to enter the field.
At the same time, experienced professionals will benefit from the chance to network with
GW’s experienced faculty, share their knowledge with each other and further refine their
expertise through practical exercises.

76% of employers say they have

trouble finding cybersecurity talent.
Source: Stott and May’s 2020 Cybersecurity in Focus report

Program Learning Objectives

The cybersecurity analytics master’s degree has been designed with the following learning
objectives in mind:

• Lead organizations in cybersecurity, • Identify and defend against emergent

data analytics and forensics and advanced persistent threats

• Conduct vulnerability assessment of • Demonstrate technological proficiency

network applications and operating in secure system/hardware design and
systems cyber resilience

• Master fundamentals in upcoming • Understand the key security

issues in hardware security and components of cloud computing
address system security holistically

• Become proficient in developing

resilient and defendable networks and
emerging IT systems
Curriculum
The Master of Engineering in
Cybersecurity Analytics is an
interdisciplinary program that draws
courses from departments across SEAS:
computer science, electrical and computer
engineering, engineering management
and systems engineering. The purpose
of the M.Eng in Cybersecurity Analytics
degree is to address technical challenges
in the rapidly changing field of
cybersecurity.
In this program, students will explore
topics related to protecting critical
infrastructure including secure systems
and hardware design, cyber resilience,
intrusion detection and defensive
cybersecurity operations.
This program is designed for students with
a technical background but is accessible to
those with relevant nontechnical degrees
as well.
Required Courses
CSCI 6015 Cyber Forensics
Covers basic and advanced concepts in the
field of cyber forensics, which is concerned with
acquiring, preserving and analyzing digitally
stored information while ensuring that this
information is admissible as evidence in a court
of law. Principles and techniques for cyber
forensics investigations are explored using
industry-standard forensic tools, techniques
and procedures in the digital forensic process.
Also covers the societal and legal impact of
computer activities including computer crime,
intellectual property theft, privacy issues and
legal ramifications. Covers special rules of
evidence that apply to cybercrime investigations
including chain of custody, search and seizure,
forensic imaging. In addition to the incident-
handling process, relevant state, federal and/or
regulatory frameworks governing such activities
within different industry sectors are explored
in detail. Methods and standards for extraction
and preservation of legal evidence, uncovering
illicit activities, recovering information left on
hard drives and extracting files from intentionally
damaged media are also covered.
CSCI 6016 Applied Network Defense
Apply theory and practice of computer security,
focusing specifically on the protection aspects
of the Internet. It reviews cryptographic tools to
provide security, such as shared key encryption
(DES, 3DES, RC and more), public key
encryption, key exchange and digital signature
(Diffie-Hellmann, RSA, DSS and more). It then
reviews how these tools are utilized within the
internet protocols and applications like SSL/
TLS, IPSEC, Kerberos and more (including
wireless). By leveraging case studies and reading
seminal research papers, students will learn
about network attacks and vulnerabilities as
well as current defenses. Topics covered include
cryptography, confidentiality and authentication
protocols, botnets, firewalls, intrusion detection
systems, and communication privacy and
anonymity. This course also covers offensive
and defensive information warfare operations,
simulation of various attacks on and defenses of
computer systems, laws related to information
warfare, and history and literature related to
information warfare attacks.
Prerequisite: SEAS 6014
ECE 6132 Secure Cloud Computing
Security and privacy issues in cloud computing
systems. Confidentiality, integrity and availability
of data and computations. Examination of cloud
computing models, threat models, outsourcing
and security issues. Practical applications of
secure cloud computing.
EMSE 6540 Information Security
Development and management of effective
security systems. Includes information, personnel
and physical security. Emphasis on risk analysis
for information protection.
EMSE 6544 Auditing, Monitoring and
Intrusion Detection for Information Security
Managers
Methods for detecting problems with
unauthorized activity in information systems and
management challenges associated with those
activities. Prerequisite: EMSE 6540
EMSE 6547 Cyber Resilience
Resilience planning for cybersecurity; assessment
and modeling approaches to limit system failure
toward creating a cyber-resilient organization;
recognition, resistance, recovery, reinstatement
from the perspectives of information
technologists and engineering managers;
existing cybersecurity reliance frameworks;
potential policies to sustain a healthy and robust
security posture.
EMSE 6560 Open-Source Intelligence Analysis
Analyzing social media and other publicly
available data sources can provide a wealth of
data that can be used to identify and evaluate
threats to an organization’s information assets.
The challenge of using social media and other
public sources is filtering the useful information
from the noise. Students will use data analytics
tools and develop decision support frameworks
to identify threats, evaluate capability of actors
to exploit vulnerabilities and evaluate the risk of
damage those actors can do to an organization.
While each individual data source may not
provide actionable intelligence, compiling
data across multiple sources can reveal critical
indications of intent and capability of potential
threats. This course provides an overview of
publicly available data sources and strategies
for mining and aggregating data across multiple
sources to build a comprehensive profile of
threat sources and develop an action plan to
defend against these threats.
EMSE 6767 Applied Data Analytics
Applied and practical data analytics. High-
level theory, with primary focus on practical
application of a broad set of statistical
techniques needed to support an empirical
foundation for systems engineering and
engineering management. A variety of practical
visualization and statistical analysis techniques.
Leveraging Minitab and Excel to examine raw
data to arrive at insightful conclusions.
SEAS 6014 Introduction to Software and
Hardware Security
Students will learn the fundamental principles
of designing secure software and hardware
systems and the range of attacks that seek to
compromise them. The course will provide an
overview of computer architecture and present
attacks targeting the hardware, operating system
and application layers. Students will learn how
decisions in computer architecture design can
lead to vulnerabilities such as cache exploits or
side channels; how operating systems seek to
provide secure isolation between applications;
how applications can be compromised through
malicious attacks; and include case studies
showing how mobile devices and the Internet of
Things pose new security challenges.
SEAS 6410 Security Data Visualization
The main goal of this course is to help students
learn, understand and practice the visualization
aspect of security data, which includes the study
of data analytics and scaling up information
security, security metrics and security monitoring
techniques focusing on industry applications.
It also covers the fundamentals of security data
visualization and exploratory data analysis and
provides guidelines on information security data
visualization and insights with data dashboards.
Furthermore, it introduces valuable tools
to empower students to create an effective
visual image of security data and prepare
security data for using the latest techniques in
Information Technology (IT) data analytics fields
and extracting features from security data sets.
Prerequisite: EMSE 6767
Admissions
The Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity Analytics is designed to be accessible to
both technical and non-technical professionals. Once enrolled, an advisor will create a
plan of study that best suits students’ needs and gives them the opportunity to hone
their skills and maximizes their ability to succeed in the program.
As a result, it is open to professionals without a technical undergraduate degree;
however, applicants without a STEM undergraduate background should showcase
their interest in cybersecurity and aptitude for technical subject matter through their
other application materials.
Admissions Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in one of the following fields:
engineering, computer science, physical sciences, mathematics, economics,
business administration or another relevant non-technical discipline.
• Minimum GPA of B- (2.7 on a 4.0 scale) or higher. Applicants with less than a 2.7
GPA are welcome to apply and may be accepted conditionally based on a holistic
review of application materials.
• Work experience in an IT field for those who do not hold a degree in a
technical discipline
• Prerequisites: at least one course in college-level calculus and one course in
college-level statistics. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will take
EMSE 4197.
GW considers a candidate’s entire background and all submitted materials when
reaching an admissions decision. Applicants who do not meet these requirements
may still be eligible for admission and their records will be evaluated on a case-by-
case basis. Please contact an admissions counselor for more information.
Application Materials
To accelerate our review of your application, order your official transcripts and prepare
all other materials for submission simultaneously with your application. All supplemental
materials must be received by the admissions office prior to the application deadline,
otherwise the file will be rejected as incomplete.
Complete application packets include:
• Completed Application: There is no application fee for this program. When
completing the application form, you will also need to upload your resume and
statement of purpose.
• An Up-to-Date Resume or CV: This can be submitted to onlinecybersec@gwu.edu.
• Statement of Purpose: In 250 words or less, state your purpose in undertaking
graduate study at the George Washington University. Describe your academic
objectives, research interests and career plans; present your related qualifications
including collegiate, professional and community activities and any other
substantial accomplishments not previously mentioned.
• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all institutions attended to
complete the application packet. More information on transcript requirements can be
found on the transcript policy page.
• Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required for
admission. At least two of these letters must come from a professional reference.
Please download the letter of recommendation form, fill out the top portion and email
the form to the individual providing the recommendation. A letter of recommendation
is only considered official when it is sent from the individual providing the
recommendation and delivered directly to an admissions counselor via email at
onlinecybersec@gwu.edu or via fax at (888) 245-5409. Submissions directly from
applicants will not be accepted.
• GRE Scores: GRE scores are recommended.
About GW
GW was founded in 1821 through an Act of Congress. Since then, it has become GW’s heritage of innovation and excellence has earned us many accolades,
the largest university in the D.C. metropolitan area, deeply interwoven with the including:
culture and industries of the city. GW offers its students access to opportunities
• U.S. News & World Report
in many different fields with the unquestionable confidence of graduating from a
• #14 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs
respected, reputable institution of higher learning.
• #13 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs for Veterans
• #17 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management Programs
The School of Engineering
• The Princeton Review
and Applied Sciences • A ‘Best Northeast’ College in “2020 Best Colleges: Region by Region”
The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) at the George • Colleges That Create Futures
Washington University has been bringing together great minds in industry • Green Colleges
and government since the 1800s. Throughout time, it has evolved to help
professionals meet the technological challenges of the day. • Forbes
• #44 in Research Universities
onlinecybersecurity.seas.gwu.edu
(877) 246-4824