Information System 428 - Managing Information Security

GSM IS828/428: Managing Information Security

Spring 2016 Syllabus Rev 1.0

Professor Ann Halford, Office # 627, Halford@bu.edu

GSM IS828 & IS428        Tuesday 6:00-9:00        HAR 316                

Office Hours

Please use email to make an appointment.  

Course Description and Objectives

This course is designed for current and future managers, executives and leaders seeking a basic understanding of issues and concepts related to cybersecurity.  This course introduces students to the leadership challenges related to security and privacy.  The course has four goals:

1. Expand the student’s basic knowledge of the subject matter (cybersecurity and privacy literacy).

2. Improve the student’s critical thinking skills within the context of cybersecurity and privacy.

3. Develop the student’s ability to communicate and collaborate with subject matter experts (e.g. technical, legal, regulatory, risk management).

4. Introduce the student to management and leadership methods for coping with security threats while supporting business goals and social values.

This course has no prerequisite technology requirements.  It has been designed for business students without prior programming or cybersecurity engineering experience.  It focuses on improving the management and leadership skills required to cope with ever growing and critical global security threats.  Developing those skills are essential to the future of our society which is increasingly shaped by and dependent upon digital technology and global connectivity.  

This course may not be suitable for students pursuing a strictly technical career path without any interest in management, leadership or policy setting roles in business or government.  Technology per se will be examined at a level suitable for technology generalists not specialists.

Course Materials

Each student must purchase a copy of the reading material for this course at the Harvard Business Press (HBP) website.   You must be registered with HBP before you can access the IS 828/428 HBP Course Pack.   You must register using your BU email account to demonstrate that you are a currently enrolled student.   Do not copy, print or post your course pack material for others.  To do so may be illegal (aside from “fair use”).

https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/access/44250657

Grading

80         Individual points (max)

        24         Class Attendance & Participation

                2 points per class (max)

        56        Weekly in class quizzes

                Approx. 10 quizzes, each covers all material since the last quiz

                Quiz questions will cover key concepts and details from the assigned readings/videos

20        Team points (max)

        20         Team Competition

                Class ranks the presentations, all members of a given team receive the same score