New Information Security courses offered at USF Sarasota-Manatee

SARASOTA, FL, (December 8, 2005) – In only three days in January 2004, the MyDoom email virus caused more than $22 billion in damages as it spread to more than 200 countries.

In an era in which threats to information technology (IT) systems can cause such devastation, information security has become an emerging industry.

To help respond to local industry needs for security savvy employees, USF Sarasota-Manatee will offer two new Information Security courses for the spring 2006 semester. The courses, Introduction to Network Security and Principles of Information Security, will be part of a new Information Security program that is being developed at the campus. 

In Introduction to Network Security, students will learn how to protect networked computers by examining the types of attacks launched against such systems and the mechanisms by which to defend against attacks. Principles of Information Security will provide a comprehensive overview of most aspects of Information Security, including insights into a hacker’s mind-set and how to stay one step ahead of the game. 

USF Sarasota-Manatee officials note that the Florida Board of Regents called for the establishment of such IT courses and programs in higher education to more thoroughly equip students with the IT skills needed in today’s job market.

“Only a handful of schools currently offer an Information Security program,” explained Dr. Sunita Lodwig, Information Technology Instructor at USF Sarasota-Manatee. “The new courses will help answer unmet employer demand for skilled IT professionals.”

Employers know that a comprehensive security program makes good business sense. “Information security has become a big issue. If you analyze the 9/11 tragedy, of the companies located in the Twin Towers, those that implemented disaster preparedness and recovery plans were up and running within a week. Those that did not took a longer time to recover” noted Lodwig.

As further incentive to promote technology skills, a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last month would allow employers and workers a tax credit of up to $2,500 for IT-related training for a wide range of jobs. The Technology Retraining and Investment Now Act for the 21^st Century, or TRAIN Act, would allow workers or employers to take a tax credit of up to half of a qualified $4,000 IT training program. The tax credit would cover course costs, including textbooks and other materials.

For more information about the new Information Security courses, contact Academic Advising at (941)359-4330 or visit www.sarasota.usf.edu. Registration for the Spring semester continues through January 6, 2006. Spring classes begin January 9, 2006.

USF Sarasota-Manatee is an upper-level campus for those with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree who are interested in earning a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit. The regional campus offers the prestige of a national Research I university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at MCC Venice.