Center for Cybersecurity

The Center for Cybersecurity was created to advance the study of cybersecurity. We bring together experts from multiple departments across the university, encompassing the fields of computer information technology, computer science, information systems and analytics, and political science. We teach a wide variety of courses and perform research from these different perspectives. We also offer three degree programs in the broad field of cybersecurity.

James Walden, Ph.D.

Dr. James Walden is the founding Director of the Center for Cybersecurity and Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering. He joined Miami University in 2023, bringing 25 years of academic and industrial experience in cybersecurity. He has developed two cybersecurity degree programs, two dozen courses, and helped develop the first cybersecurity curricular guidelines in 2017. He has published many research papers in the field of cybersecurity, particularly in software security, where he pioneered the use of text mining to analyze source code for vulnerabilities. He earned a B.S. in Physics from Miami University in 1992, and a M.S. (1994) and Ph.D. (1997) in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University.

Contact Information:

waldenjw@MiamiOH.edu
McVey Data Science Building 366
513-529-0334

Cybersecurity Majors

Bachelor of Science in Business: Information and Cybersecurity Management

The Information and Cybersecurity Management Major provides managerial perspective and technical skills needed to create, control, protect, and leverage information and data resources of an organization. The major focuses on foundational theory and practice in content areas such as business process management, database, data communications, cybersecurity, systems analysis & development, information risk management, and project management. It emphasizes the application of technology, information, and cybersecurity risk management skills to solving business problems. This degree program is hosted in the Department of Information Systems and Analytics and is offered on the Oxford campus.

Contact:
Skip Benamati
benamajh@MiamiOH.edu
513-529-4826

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree emphasizes core concepts, principles, skills, and robust practices for designing, developing, and maintaining highly-secure computing systems and protecting them from diverse threats and attacks. The program is hosted in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering and ensures that graduates have a strong knowledge of computer programming. The courses in the degree program are carefully fine-tuned from the ground-up to provide the necessary depth and breadth to maximize opportunities for graduates to find employment in diverse industries, the government, military, and academia. Moreover, the curriculum prepares students to pursue professional certifications (such as Network+, Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker, etc.) as needed. This degree program is offered at the Oxford campus.

Contact:
James Walden
waldenjw@MiamiOH.edu
513-529-0334

Bachelor of Science in IT: Cybersecurity and Networking

The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology: Cybersecurity and Networking degree provides students with depth in information technology and networking skills, along with the cybersecurity knowledge necessary to protect and defend networks and systems. The degree has a strong hands-on component, with students learning to secure systems in a virtual cyber range environment, where real-world scenarios can be simulated with a high degree of authenticity. Additionally, the curriculum provides students with the opportunity to earn valued professional certifications (such as Network+, Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker, etc.) while they earn their degrees. This degree program is hosted in the Department of Computer Information Technology and is offered online.

Contact:
Marianne Murphy
murph103@MiamiOH.edu
513-785-3132

Cybersecurity Club

The Miami University Cybersecurity Club is dedicated to providing students with a platform to explore the cyber domain outside of a formal lecture environment. One of the key objectives of this organization is to provide members with real-world, practical exercises and experiences that they can’t get anywhere else. From penetration tests on the university’s network to bringing in cyber warfare officers from the NSA, the organization strives to provide its members with a one-of-a kind experience.

join the Club