Cybersecurity and Global Policy B.S.

Do you want to explore the relations between technology and culture? Do you worry about the integrity of elections from foreign interference? Are you intrigued by the problems companies face in keeping their costumers’ sensitive data safe?  Do you wonder about how governments can effectively regulate and navigate the problems raised by our digitally integrated world? If these kinds of questions excite you, then the B.S. in Cybersecurity and Global Policy may be a good choice for you. This new degree is part of the recently launched Cybersecurity Program, and is jointly offered by the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering and the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. 

The B.S. in Cybersecurity and Global Policy provides students with both technical and policy expertise in a rapidly expanding field, one in which there is high demand for skilled professionals. Students work with faculty in both schools who bring their expertise and research to the classroom.

Through pursuing this degree, students will gain a sophisticated understanding of programming, data structures, networked systems, and security protocols. They will also learn about the wide range of privacy, cultural, economic, legal, and security issues surrounding the field of cybersecurity. They will learn to assess cyber-related risks, explore possible responses to cyber-attacks, and examine how cybersecurity crosses national boundaries and thereby challenges traditional, state-oriented responses to security risks.

HLS and Luddy offer several minors that may also be of interest:

Upon graduation, students should be able to work closely and communicate effectively with a wide range of both technical and policy experts in the public, nonprofit, and private realms.
Coursework

Getting started

Students pursuing the major, begin by taking several introductory courses early in their studies to prepare them for more advanced coursework in the major. Students typically begin with INFO-I 101 Introduction to Informatics INTL-I 100 Introduction to International Studies, and a Finite Mathematics course.

The purpose of the introductory informatics course is to introduce students to problem solving with information technology, such as database system design, operating systems, and networks. The introductory international studies course expose students to the variety of different perspectives for studying and making sense of the world and global issues, both past and present. Finite provides you with both foundational quantitative and analytic skills to be successful in more advanced cybersecurity classes offered by Luddy.

Tracks and concentrations

While there are no official tracks or concentrations in the Cybersecurity and Global Policy B.S., student can craft a regional focus through their foreign language and area studies coursework. Talk with the advisor about what combinations would help you reach your goals.  

 

Upper level coursework

Taking upper-level courses in the major deepens the students’ global and technical expertise and allows students to dig deeper into key fields such as systems programming, ethical decision making, network security and cybersecurity policy.

Students are required to complete an internship and a capstone course to synthesize what you have learned in the major as well as gain a hands-on experience in a cybersecurity setting.

Commonly pursued majors, minors and certificates

With the help of your academic advisor, students pursing the Cybersecurity and Global Policy B.S. can combine their B.S. with a minor. If a second major is of interest, careful planning, early on, with your academic advisor will be essential due to the rigor of the B.S. requirements.

The most common minors paired with the Cybersecurity and Global Policy major are:

Language and Culture Majors, Minors and Certificates:

 

Enhance your major

Working with faculty

When pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity and Global Policy, you have the opportunity to work with faculty who have expertise and experience in the field. Take advantage of office hours to talk with your instructors about your performance in class, the content of assignments, and how the course helps you work toward your goals. 

The main avenue for research is the internship, which is at least three credits of an internship or practicum in global and international studies. Getting to know faculty will also help when it comes time to find the internship or practicum that best fits your end goals.

You can get involved in research as early as your first year. Many incoming first-year students apply to the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience (ASURE) program. ASURE students experience project-based learning enhanced by a community of supportive faculty and peers. Choose an ASURE path in the arts and humanities, social and historical studies, or natural and mathematical sciences. Consider joining one that will deepen your skills and knowledge in an area related to your major or a different one to become a more well-rounded thinker. 

Honors

While the Cybersecurity and Global Policy B.S. does not currently have an honors track, high achieving students may be recognized for Academic Excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences, or be eligible for admission to the Hutton Honors College.

Undergraduate scholarships and awards

As a Cybersecurity and Global Policy B.S. student, you may be eligible for awards and scholarships from both HLS and Luddy. Each year, the Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies offers some scholarships to incoming direct admit students. The Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering also offers scholarship to eligible direct admit students

Options for pursuing other scholarships and awards include:

 

Internships

Internships offer you a chance to develop both technical and transferable skills while making vital professional contacts with others in the field. Many students begin exploring internship opportunities, including overseas study programs with internships, as early as their first year.

Students interested in working with the Central Intelligence Agency should consider applying for their scholarship program their senior year of high school as it also includes an internship opportunity.

Learn more about internships, including the possibility of receiving credit, through The Walter Center for Career Achievement, where you’ll find many resources for both domestic and international internships.

Students in the Cybersecurity and Global Policy B.S. are required to complete an internship or practicum in global policy and international studies. The goal of the internship is to allow you to apply the knowledge you learn through your studies in a professional field of global policy and international studies, while also gaining additional practical skills and knowledge.  Cybersecurity and Global Policy majors earn course credit through the internship and can apply for the Dean’s Scholarship to help fund their domestic or abroad internships.

Cybersecurity and Global Policy B.S. majors may consider pursuing internship opportunities through the following organizations:

Foreign language study

A robust understanding of one or more foreign languages will complement your major and be valuable in a number of career paths. As one of the premier institutions in the U.S. for the study of languages, IU Bloomington offers courses and resources in over 80 languages.

Below is a sampling of language study resources available to students at IU Bloomington.

Overseas study

Study abroad is an important part of undergraduate education in our increasingly interconnected world. Cybersecurity and Global Policy B.S. students often pursue language study and other coursework through the following exchange programs:

The College of Arts and Sciences also directly hosts a variety of study abroad programs, some even featuring IU faculty, that might be right for you. Learn more about study abroad opportunities and locations through conversation with Cybersecurity and Global Policy faculty, your academic advisor, and through the Office of Overseas Study.

Student groups

Sigma Iota Rho is an honor society for students in the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. Members are eligible for scholarships and research grants, and have the opportunity to publish work and serve on the Editorial Board for the Journal of International Relations.

Students who are further along in their studies may apply to serve on the Global Student 7 advisory board or work as a student ambassador to share their love of HLS.

The Office of International Services hosts programs and groups, including Conversation Clubs where you can meet people and practice language.

The HLS Living Learning Center integrates undergraduate living with formal and informal residential learning.

Cyber Security Club at IU is a student run organization that meets weekly. Members get hands on experience with skills highly valued in the cybersecurity career realm and meet other students with similar interests. You might also appreciate one of the other Luddy-affiliated student organizations.

Women in Computing (WIC) is a community of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate women that are dedicated to promoting, celebrating, and empowering women in technology. Their goal is to increase the number of women in the technology field.

Explore beINvolved to connect with any of the 750+ student organizations that already exist, or to start a new one.

Volunteer opportunities

There are numerous opportunities for volunteer engagement, allowing you to give back to the local community while developing useful job skills. The organizations below can help you connect with others from the university and beyond:

Sign up to receive weekly emails from the Bloomington Volunteer Network to learn about local opportunities and organizations.

Professional organizations

Use the Indiana University Library system to search for Associations Unlimited, an online directory of associations, professional societies, non-profit organizations, and much more.

Build your skills

Through the major

The major in Cybersecurity and Global Policy provides you with a set of skills and qualities that are relevant and transferable to many areas of study and work. These include:

  • Make recommendations and inform others about policy impacts and risks changing in the field
  • Compare cybersecurity threats across different regions of the world
  • Effectively communicate, orally and in writing, cybersecurity issues to varying audiences
  • Have deep knowledge of at least one region outside of the United States
  • Understand the evolution of cybersecurity and the global impacts it has
  • Recognize the United States as a piece of the global puzzle

Through a College of Arts and Sciences degree

Your coursework provides many opportunities to develop the following five foundational skills that will serve you well in every career path:  

  • Question critically
  • Think logically
  • Communicate clearly
  • Act creatively
  • Live ethically

These foundational skills will aid you in landing your first job and advancing professionally throughout your working life. Not only are these the skills that employers say they value most in the workplace, they provide the best preparation for lifelong success in a world of complexity, uncertainty, and change.

Skills desired by employers

Each year, the National Association of Colleges and Employers asks employers what key skills and qualities they are looking for in recent college graduates.

The following are some of the most commonly desired attributes across many employment sectors:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Written and verbal communication skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Strong work ethic
  • Analytical and quantitative skills
  • Ability to take Initiative
  • Being detail oriented
  • Demonstrating adaptability
  • Technical skills relevant to the field
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Computer skills
  • Organizational ability

As you explore various career fields, pay attention to specific job descriptions and requirements. If there are areas where your skills or knowledge are lacking, talk with your academic advisor and career coach about how you can develop in those areas while you are at Indiana University.

Your academic advisor and career coach can also help you find ways to strengthen and deepen the knowledge you already have, becoming more prepared for whatever path you select after College.

Launch your career

Plan your search

A good starting point for exploring your career options is an appointment with your career coach.

The Walter Center for Career Achievement offers job search resources, career courses, job fairs, information about internships and full-time jobs, and help with social media networking through professional organizations. Get advice about how to write your resume, ask for letters of recommendation from faculty and workplace supervisors, and prepare for job interviews, too.

Students also have access to the Luddy School of Informatics and Computing Career Services office. They offer job and internship postings, resume help, interview prep and much more.

Explore and enroll in Career Communities to learn more about industries relevant to your interests. These offer unique information about each field, including alumni spotlights, opportunities and resources, and in-person events.

Maximize your career preparation with a career course. Cybersecurity and Global Policy majors should consider enrolling in ASCS-Q296 College to Career II: Navigate Your Arts and Sciences Experience. The section dedicated to Hamilton Lugar School students provides the opportunity for you to explore the relationship between your field of study and life after graduation, while developing an academic and career development plan for post-collegiate success. If you are considering continuing your studies after graduation, you may wish to enroll instead in the section dedicated to graduate school preparation. Regardless of the section you select, you will leave the class with your resume, a cover letter or personal statement, and a LinkedIn profile ready to go!

The job market

The employment outlook is positive for students with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Global Policy. Globally, there are more than 1 million cybersecurity job openings in this rapidly growing field. This program enables graduates to do far more than just operate complex software systems. They understand and communicate the challenges posed by cyber infrastructure and are able to anticipate and ensure that cyber serves both public and private needs on a global scale. Graduates of this program will be prepared to take on managerial roles in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Cybersecurity and Global Policy majors take their education in many directions, whether moving directly into a career or going on to graduate or professional studies. Graduates work in government as well as both private industry and the non-profit sector.

Initial and long-term destinations for graduates include positions in many job sectors: Federal, state and local governments, military or civil services, non-governmental organizations, non-profits, the cooperative job sector, higher education, research and policy think tanks, banking and a multitude of industries, including transportation, social media, sports and entertainment.

Cybersecurity and Global Policy majors can become researchers, information analysts, cybercrime investigators, policy advisors, educators, forensics analysts, consultants, incident responders, tourism advisors, businesspersons, security personnel, journalists, and aid workers, among many other options.

Want to see where your fellow majors go right after graduating from IU? Check out the Walter Center’s First Destination Survey!

Need more ideas? The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics offers career information about hundreds of occupations.

Talk with Cybersecurity and Global Policy faculty, the academic advisor, and other students to gain insights into the career paths taken by graduates with this degree.

Post-graduate short-term experiences

The beginning of your post-graduate career might be an ideal time to explore an

international internship or other short-term experience through:

Fellowships for post-graduate study

Fellowships are temporary opportunities to conduct research, work in a field, or fund your education. Most opportunities can be found through universities, non-profits, and government organizations.

Good resources for finding fellowship opportunities include:

Graduate and professional study

When applying to graduate or professional schools, you’ll need letters of recommendation from faculty members who are familiar with your work. Make a practice of attending office hours early in your academic career, to get to know your professors and discuss your options for advanced study in the field.

A Cybersecurity and Global Policy major can prepare you for entry into master’s, certificate, or doctoral programs in a wide variety of fields such as area studies, foreign languages and literatures, anthropology, politics, international studies, public policy, computer security, business, or education.

With careful planning, and in consultation with the Health Professions and Prelaw Center, you could also prepare to enter law school, medical school, or other professional programs.

Students who pursue graduate studies in Cybersecurity have gone into careers with the military and intelligence communities, top academic and research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

Here are examples of graduate programs offered at IU:

Alumni connections

The College of Arts and Sciences has thousands of active alumni. Check out the College Luminaries program, which connects students with the College’s most influential, successful, and inspiring alumni.

The Luddy Alumni Association is also a place where students can stay in touch with fellow alumni and find promising hires.

Join the Walter Center Success Network to remain in touch, network directly with College of Arts +Sciences Alumni, and let others know where your path takes you.


Is it for you?

The Cybersecurity and Global Policy B.S. is designed for smart and curious students who are willing to work hard to master the knowledge and skills in this in-demand area. The degree attract students from a variety of backgrounds and interests. They typically have some of the following qualities:

  • A desire to understand the technology behind cyber and networked systems
  • An interest in technology’s global, social, and policy implications
  • Curiosity about how culture impacts cybersecurity issues
  • Interest in geopolitical issues that transcend national borders
  • An eagerness to develop strong technical and communication skills

 

Learn more

Contact the Cybersecurity and Global Policy academic advisor and schedule an appointment to explore your options. Complete information about the requirements of the major can be found in the College of Arts and Sciences Bulletin.

Department website
Advisor email address
csgpadv@iu.edu