The University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) has several options for studying cybersecurity. The various cybersecurity offerings are designed to provide a rigorous, technical study that imparts the necessary knowledge, skills, and motivations to protect and defend digital information from attacks. These offerings provide you with the technical skills and theoretical concepts needed to protect Internet-connected hardware, software, and stored data.
What sets us apart?
- Uniquely prepares students to respond to cyber-attack and security breaches by using a super realistic virtual environment, housed in the Maine Cyber Range facility and powered by Cyberbit Range technology. This first-of-its-kind facility in New England allows students to gain real career experience by combating mock attacks.
- Foundational coursework in information technology, programming, risk assessment, and supply chain security will produce career-ready graduates with a broad, yet refined skill set. As a result, our program provides you with the skills required to work in small, medium, and large business settings.
- Our coursework is delivered sequentially to ensure a strong IT knowledge base prior to learning defense strategies.
Program Highlights
Cyber Threats and Defense
Students learn about different types of cyber threats, attack vectors, and common vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. They study methods for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating cyber threats, including malware analysis, penetration testing, and intrusion detection.
Information Security Management
UMPI covers the principles of information security governance, risk management, and compliance. Students learn how to develop security policies, assess risks, and implement security controls to protect organizational assets and ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.
Network Security
Courses in network security focus on securing network infrastructure, protocols, and communication channels from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber attacks. Students learn about firewall technologies, virtual private networks (VPNs), encryption protocols, and network intrusion detection systems (NIDS).
Digital Forensics and Incident Response
Students explore techniques for collecting, preserving, and analyzing digital evidence to investigate cybercrimes and security incidents. They learn how to conduct forensic examinations of computers, mobile devices, and other digital media and how to respond effectively to security breaches and data breaches.
Secure Software Development
From secure coding practices and software vulnerabilities to secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, students learn how to identify and remediate security flaws in software applications, conduct code reviews, and implement security controls to mitigate software-related risks.
Ethical and Legal Issues in Cybersecurity
Students study ethical dilemmas and legal considerations relevant to cybersecurity practice, including privacy rights, intellectual property laws, and cybercrime legislation. They learn about professional codes of conduct, ethical hacking principles, and the ethical responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals.
EXPECT generous scholarships
EXPECT generous scholarships
Cyber Threats and Defense
At UMPI, the Cybersecurity BA program offers in-depth courses on cyber threats and defense strategies, providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, analyze, and mitigate various cyber threats. Through hands-on exercises and real-world simulations, students learn to recognize common attack vectors such as malware, phishing, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. They explore techniques for protecting computer systems and networks, including the implementation of firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and security patches. Additionally, students gain practical experience in threat hunting and incident response, preparing them to effectively defend against cyber attacks in professional settings.
Information Security Management
Our program emphasizes the importance of information security management in safeguarding organizational assets and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Students learn about risk management frameworks such as NIST SP 800-30 and ISO/IEC 27005 and gain practical experience in conducting risk assessments and developing risk mitigation strategies. They also study security governance principles and best practices for establishing security policies, procedures, and controls. Through case studies and group projects, students explore real-world challenges in information security management and develop practical solutions to protect against emerging threats.
EXPECT an education tailored to your needs
EXPECT an education tailored to your needs
Network Security
The network security curriculum at UMPI covers a wide range of topics, including secure network architecture, cryptographic protocols, and intrusion detection/prevention systems. Students learn to design and implement secure networks that protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber threats. They explore the latest technologies and methodologies for securing network infrastructure, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), secure socket layer (SSL), and transport layer security (TLS). Hands-on labs and networking simulations provide students with practical experience in configuring and troubleshooting network security solutions, preparing them for roles in network administration and cybersecurity.
Digital Forensics and Incident Response
Students receive comprehensive training in digital forensics and incident response techniques. They learn to collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, and other digital media using industry-standard tools and methodologies. Through practical exercises and case studies, students gain hands-on experience in forensic data acquisition, analysis, and reporting. Additionally, they develop proficiency in incident response procedures, including incident detection, containment, eradication, and recovery. By mastering digital forensics and incident response skills, students are prepared to investigate cybercrimes, respond to security incidents, and mitigate the impact of cybersecurity breaches.
Secure Software Development
The program emphasizes the importance of secure software development practices in building resilient and trustworthy applications. Students learn about common software vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows, injection attacks, and cross-site scripting (XSS), and explore techniques for secure coding and software testing. Through hands-on projects and coding exercises, students gain practical experience in identifying and remediating security flaws in software applications. They also learn about secure software development methodologies, such as the Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) and the Agile Secure Development Lifecycle (ASDL), and study industry standards for software security, including the OWASP Top Ten and the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) list.
Ethical and Legal Issues in Cybersecurity
Ethical and legal considerations are inherent in cybersecurity practice. Students explore ethical dilemmas faced by cybersecurity professionals and examine ethical frameworks for making moral decisions in challenging situations. They also study relevant laws and regulations governing cybersecurity, such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Through case studies and discussions, students develop an understanding of their ethical responsibilities as cybersecurity practitioners and learn to navigate legal and regulatory requirements in their professional roles.
Mission Statement
The cybersecurity program prepares professionals capable of leading technological changes in industry both locally and nationally, with an emphasis on the protection of technological infrastructures for the preservation of Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (IA).
It does this by providing a supportive and instructional learning and research environment in which students meet the challenges of developing and mastering in-depth knowledge, understanding, and skill sets in the varied domains within Cybersecurity and IA, with hands-on applications in analysis, prevention, deterrence and countermeasures of information security and integrity in a global arena. Students who pursue this program of study will find that hands-on application will enable them to design, implement, and administer the security of information systems by embracing the concepts studied and applying those concepts in laboratory settings.
Facilities and Field Sites
Folsom Science Laboratories
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Zillman Family Greenhouse
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Faculty
Rafiul Hassan
- Location
- 305 South Hall
- Phone
- (207) 768-9627
- md.hassan@maine.edu
Mark Royer
- Phone
- (207) 768-9411
- mark.royer@maine.edu
Fred Strickland
- Location
- 304 South Hall
- Phone
- (207) 768-9441
- fred.strickland@maine.edu
EXPECT to Finish in Four
EXPECT to Finish in Four
Cybersecurity Program Offerings
If you’re interested in exploring a degree or minor in Computer Science, check out our Computer Science program.
What can you do with a degree in Cybersecurity?
Next Step: Admissions
We’re so excited that you’re considering the University of Maine at Presque Isle! As a student at UMPI, we want your experience to be anything but ordinary! So what makes UMPI extraordinary? Our Learning Environment, Our Student Engagement and Our Location!
No matter what stage of life you are in, we can help you take the plunge into higher education and put you on YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS!