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Course Descriptions

Currently accepting applications Apply now >> Next program starts: Autumn 2008 Program location: Online with optional meetings Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>

Classes meet one evening per week over three academic terms: Autumn, 2008, and Winter and Spring quarters, 2009.

Each quarter during odd-numbered weeks-1, 3, 5, 7 and 9—your class will meet virtually, facilitated by the latest technologies for online, synchronous learning. On even-numbered weeks-2, 4, 6, 8 and 10—your class will meet at the Information School on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.

Interested in taking a single class? Some courses (designated by a below) may be open on a space-available basis to professionals who are not seeking the certificate. See Single-Course Enrollment for details.

Autumn Course

Organizational Information Assurance

Schedule: (10 sessions) Alternating online and onsite meetings every Wednesday, 6:00-8:50 p.m., Sept. 24-Nov. 26, 2008; $770; 3 CEUs
Instructor: Barbara Endicott-Popovsky

This course examines the methods, best practices and procedures for securing information and information systems. You will learn how system vulnerabilities arise, gain an understanding of the evolving threats systems face and discover how to mitigate these threats. Leading experts will share their seasoned approaches for protecting information and information systems, exposing the human factors affecting IA programs. You will also master the concepts and skills related to the life cycle of IA-from policy through audit-including IA policies and practices and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and information systems.

You will also learn how to create and maintain a secure information systems environment; manage compliance with new and emerging regulatory requirements; conduct, or respond to, a security audit; analyze, design and instantiate organizational goals through IA policy, plans and audits; and address the legal, regulatory and ethical issues involved with IA. Additionally, you will develop an understanding of:

• The role of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
• The role of risk management in decision making
• Information privacy, accountability and ethics

The course is designed, in part, to meet the education and training standards described in CNSS 4011 and 4012.

Winter Course

Information Assurance Risk Assessment and Management

Schedule: (10 sessions) Alternating online and onsite meetings every Wednesday, 6:00-8:50 p.m., Jan. 7-Mar. 11, 2009; $770; 3 CEUs
Instructor: Barbara Endicott-Popovsky and Seth Shapiro

In this course you will explore several structured, risk management approaches that assist with IA decision-making. Course topics include: developing and maintaining risk assessments (RA); developing and maintaining IA and risk management plans (RM); regulatory and legal compliance issues affecting risk plans; auditing and enforcing IA policies and procedures; and issues surrounding network monitoring, incident response and personnel practices.

The course is designed to meet the education and training standards described in CNSS 4016.

How to sign up for single-course enrollment in this course

Spring Course

Establishing and Managing Information Assurance Strategies

Schedule: (10 sessions) Alternating online and onsite meetings every Wednesday, 6:00-8:50 p.m., Apr. 1-June 3, 2009; $770; 3 CEUs
Instructors: Barbara Endicott-Popovsky and Mike Simon

This capstone course will challenge you to integrate and apply information assurance and cybersecurity to a real organization. The course follows the case-study method, introducing current, real-world cases developed and presented by the practitioner community. You will apply your new knowledge about establishing and managing information assurance strategies in order to solve their cases. This term-long capstone project leads you through an actual consulting engagement with a local firm, adding experience to your resume before you even complete the program.

This course is designed, in part, to meet the training standards described in CNSS 4014-I.

How to sign up for single-course enrollment in this course