Information technology degree program

Norwich University, Northfield, Vt., plans to offer a new degree program in Information Assurance and Security Technology. The program takes advantage of Norwich University's relationship with key federal law enforcement and security agencies; the U.S. armed services; private industry and the Vermont Army National Guard "Armory of the Future," a fully wired national guard armory being constructed on Norwich's Northfield campus.

This degree would be tailored to students who want to become information assurance and computer security professionals. Norwich students will have the opportunity to combine academic, industry and government service components into their program.

This degree program will be offered to students applying to attend Norwich in the fall of 2002, and will be available to current Norwich students who are scheduled to graduate in 2004 and beyond. Students who successfully complete the program will graduate with a bachelor's degree in Information Assurance and Security Technology. The university will also continue its role in training law enforcement and military personnel from across the country in information assurance and security techniques.

"America has a long history of preparing for the last war using older technology," said Winn Schwartau, author of Information Warfare and an internationally recognized expert on computer terrorism. "Norwich University is preparing its graduates to fight the next one--a cyber-war that will be more asymmetric than any we have ever seen. America's vulnerability to conventional attack has decreased substantially over the years. Today, counter-terrorism, special operations and expertise in protecting our vital electronic, computer and information infrastructures are critical to our physical, electronic and economic national security."

In addition to the National Guard armory, the University is creating a state-of-the-art Information Assurance Lab where students and faculty will be able to create attack/defend scenarios, analyze real-world attacks and prepare defenses and develop information assurance doctrine and techniques.

Students interested in pursuing a degree in information assurance and security technology are also eligible to apply for a National Security Agency Scholarship. Additional scholarships are available from the armed services and from Norwich University for qualified students, as well as financial aid.

For additional information, contact John Lahtinen at 802-485-2080. The degree program will undergo final review by the university curriculum committee this spring and will be presented to the Board of Trustees for final approval in May.