Systems Engineering in a Cyber Security Engineering Program
Peggy S. Brouse · INCOSE International Symposium · 2015
Abstract George Mason University Volgenau School of Engineering (VSE) introduced a new undergraduate degree in Cyber Security Engineering (BS/CYSE) starting in Spring 2015. This program, the first cyber security engineering program in the country, prepares graduates for a successful career in cyber security engineering. Cyber security engineering is the proactive engineering design of physical systems with cyber security incorporated from the beginning of system development, creating cyber‐resilient systems. Cyber security engineering is an important quantitative design methodology to be used in all industries. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of cyber security engineering, systems engineering principles played an important role in the formulation of the BS/CYSE curriculum. Cyber security engineers must become part of the solution by developing appropriate, effective, and affordable systems with security engineered in from the concept phase, through design, and into implementation and deployment. There is the need for giving a strong background in engineering and providing extensive communication skills. Such background and skills allow ready consultation with colleagues either in engineering or in the given application domain. This paper will discuss the new BS/CYSE and the systems engineering influence on the program.