Teaching Strategy and Security in Cyberspace: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Suzanne C. Nielsen, Donald Welch · International Studies Perspectives · 2003
Gaining an appreciation for the security implications of an increasingly networked world requires drawing on multiple academic disciplines. On the one hand, it is difficult to speak meaningfully about information assurance without some understanding of the technical aspects of information networks. On the other, if only technical aspects are covered students will not be prepared to address the economic, political, and even ethical issues associated with policy in this area. This paper discusses the efforts of two educators with backgrounds in computer science and political science to create a course to address this educational need. The course uses a variety of techniques to integrate the issues essential to thinking about strategy and security in cyberspace. In a society growing ever more dependent on information technologies, competence in this area will become increasingly important and a valuable component of an undergraduate education.