NOVEMBER 9, 2021 — Continuing to excel in all things cyber, the UTSA Carlos Alvarez College of Business will offer a new B.S. in applied cyber analytics in fall 2022.
One of only a few cyber analytics degrees in the nation and the only program of its kind in Texas, this innovative bachelor’s degree will allow students to receive training in both data analytics and cyber security and gain an understanding of the cyber domain and its unique business intelligence needs.
“Cyber is humans interacting with data—a lot of data—and if you want to secure that data and analyze who is trying to penetrate your networks, you have to know how to analyze the data,” said Nicole Beebe, chair of the college’s Department of Information Systems and Cyber Security.
Applied cyber analytics students will work smarter, not harder, utilizing tools such as machine learning and artificial intelligence to see patterns in cyber detection. With billions of attempted intrusions worldwide and millions of system and network events logged daily in the average organization, students will learn how to interpret this data to properly defend, respond and investigate these threats.
“Not enough people in the cyber field possess critical data analytics skill. This is a big problem and a missed opportunity,” Beebe said. “Cyber security professionals who receive data analytics training are capable of doing their job more effectively and more efficiently. This degree program is more data-focused and detection-focused than our B.B.A. in cyber security.”
Students will obtain a foundational understanding of cyber security concepts, threats, risks and operations. The degree will also provide students with a conceptual framework, analytical tools and business intelligence skills needed to aggregate, organize, model, interpret, apply and visualize data in cyber security decision making.
Focusing on the applied aspects of analytics, students will understand when to use certain algorithms as well as why they are appropriate. They will take the same required courses as the current B.B.A. in cyber security, along with additional cyber security and data analytics courses. Supporting coursework includes the fields of mathematics, statistics, business analytics, information systems, data mining, machine learning, policy, law and ethics.
“Students will obtain knowledge and skill in three of the four fastest-growing areas of cyber security: cloud security, risk management and threat intelligence,” Beebe said. “Our graduates will be qualified to pursue jobs in cyber security, data analytics and cyber analytics.”
There will be a 31% increase in demand for workers trained in cyber security in the next decade in addition to the current 3.5 million cyber security job shortage, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.
“This is what we should be doing in academia—identifying trends in the workplace, forecasting future careers and configuring programming to meet employers’ needs,” Beebe said. “By the time employers realize the value of this skillset, we’ll already have people entering the workforce. I believe this will be one of UTSA’s most marketable degrees to date.”
UTSA is the No. 1 cyber security program in the nation according to the Ponemon Institute. Named a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Education, Cyber Operations and Information Assurance Research by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, UTSA excels in both cyber academic programming and research. The Alvarez College of Business offers a B.B.A. in cyber security both online and in person as well as a M.S. degree in information technology with a concentration in cyber security and a Ph.D. in information technology with a concentration in cyber security.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
UTSA students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to raise their voices and participate in the upcoming joint primary runoff election. Election day is Tuesday, May 24. Any registered Bexar County voter may vote at the H-E-B Student Union Bexar Room (HSU 1.102).
Bexar Room (HSU 1.102), H-E-B Student Union, Main CampusPlease join us Wednesday, May 25, 2022 for a discussion with Colonel (ret) Michael Davis, MD, FACS, FRCS (Hon), former Director of the U.S. Combat Casualty Care Research Program. Dr. Davis will discuss how to best identify strengths at UTSA that can be effectively leveraged for funding proposals to the Department of Defense.
UTSA Business Building University Room (2.06.04), Main CampusUTSA is excited to introduce new flexible learning spaces available to the Roadrunner community. During this orientation, interested faculty will be guided through examples of innovative learning activities supported by these spaces and provided with an overview of relevant technical features.
Virtual EventDo you find yourself more worried than usual about our students? Would you like to feel more confident in your ability to provide support or assistance to them? We are pleased to announce this new brownbag professional development opportunity for you, Compassion Fatigue Training, that will be offered June 1, 2022.
Faculty Center Large Conference Room (JPL 4.04.12C), Main CampusThe Faculty Coffee Chat is designed to provide faculty members the space to discuss current issues they are facing in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Virtual EventJoin your fellow alumni at The Dooryard, for networking, drinks, professional portraits, and karaoke. Be sure to dress business on the top to make the most of this unique opportunity.
The Dooryard, 4503 De Zavala Rd Suite 108, San Antonio, TX 78249These sessions are focused on incoming Freshman who are attending the UTSA Summer Orientation and are intending to major in areas within the College of Liberal and Fine Arts! We'll have important information and giveaways for you - come meet us.
Willow room (SU 2.02.1), Main CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to ending generations of discrimination and inequity. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.