2014 Best Schools for Cybersecurity©
Sponsored by HP Enterprise Security
Independently conducted by Ponemon Institute LLC
Publication Date: February 2014
Ponemon Institute Research Report
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 1
2014 Best Schools for Cybersecurity
Study of Educational Institutions in the United States
February 2014
Part 1. Introduction
The demand for well-educated cyber security professionals is outpacing the supply in both the
public and private sectors. According to former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the Pentagon is
“desperately short of people who have capabilities (defensive and offensive cybersecurity war
skills) in all the services and we have to address it.”
1
Ponemon Institute’s research has also
consistently revealed that one of the major
barriers to achieving a strong security
posture is the dearth of trained and skilled
security professionals. To bring attention to
this rising crisis in recruiting and retaining
highly skilled professionals in IT security, HP
commissioned Ponemon Institute to conduct
two studies on the issues of cybersecurity
education and IT security hiring practices in
organizations.
2
The objective of the 2014 Best Schools for
Cybersecurity study is to determine those
institutions that are achieving a high level of
excellence and the characteristics that set
them apart. We asked learned individuals to identify and rate U.S. colleges and universities they
believe are most committed to advancing students’ learning and domain expertise in the
emerging fields of cybersecurity and information assurances. Participants were told to use five
normatively important criteria, which include the following:
! Academic excellence
! Practical relevance
! Experience and expertise of program faculty
! Experience and background of students and alumni
! Professional reputation in the cyber security community
A large, national sample composed of experienced practitioners with bona fide credentials in IT
and information security provided their candid opinions and impressions of more than 400
institutions of higher learning (a.k.a. master list).
3
A total of 5,003 individuated ratings of institutions ranging from two-year community colleges to
doctoral granting programs were captured in this year’s study. Practitioners were asked to rate up
to five institutions that provide an academic program in cybersecurity. Individual responses were
gathered over a 12-week period concluding in November 2013 and resulted in a final sample of
1
Cyber In-Security Strengthening the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce, conducted by Partnership for Public
Service and Booz Allen Hamilton, July 2009.
2
Understaffed and at Risk: Today’s IT Security Function, sponsored by HP Enterprise Security and
conducted by Ponemon Institute, February 2014.
3
The majority of educational institutions rated and ranked in this study participate in a program sponsored by
the NSA and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) called the National Centers of Academic Excellence
in IA Education (CAE). The purposes of this program is to promote higher education and research in
information assurances, thus increasing the field of IA practitioners dedicated to protecting the nation’s
critical information infrastructure.
Top rated schools at a glance:
University of Texas, San Antonio
Norwich University
Mississippi State University
Syracuse University
Carnegie Mellon University
Purdue University
University of Southern California
University of Pittsburgh
George Mason University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
U.S. Military Academy, West Point
University of Washington
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 2
1,958 respondents who, on average, provided 2.6 discernible school ratings. These ratings were
used to construct a meta ranking for schools meeting a minimum threshold. The components of
the meta ranking was vetted with a panel of experts.
4
Characteristics of the top schools
Based on our qualitative review of the best programs in cybersecurity, we have determined the
following 10 characteristics that appear to set them apart:
! Interdisciplinary program that cuts across different, but related fields – especially computer
science, engineering and management.
! Designated by the NSA and DHS as a center of academic excellence in information
assurance education.
! Curriculum addresses both technical and theoretical issues in cybersecurity.
! Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered.
! A diverse student body, offering educational opportunities to women and members of the
military.
! Faculty composed of leading practitioners and researchers in the field of cybersecurity and
information assurance.
! Hands-on learning environment where students and faculty work together on projects that
address real life cybersecurity threats.
! Emphasis on career and professional advancement.
! Courses on management, information security policy and other related topics essential to the
effective governance of secure information systems.
! Graduates of programs are placed in private and public sector positions.
Caveats
We believe this research provides an unambiguous indicator of how practitioners in the
cybersecurity community perceive specific schools and programs. While perception is never a
perfect substitute for reality, in our experience the consistent view of learned practitioners is an
important indicator of educational quality and student performance.
We offer a cautionary note about these results. Based on previous opinion-based studies, we
have found that perceptions about specific organizations can be influenced by a number of
extraneous factors. In short, individual ratings may not reflect the exceptional features and
practices of the institution included in our master list of schools.
Further, what a school does in the area of cybersecurity or information assurance, especially
extracurricular activities, may not be known or fully visible to the rater. In addition practitioner
ratings may be influenced by positive or negative experience with a particular college or
university. Finally, practitioner perceptions may be influenced by external communications and
marketing efforts including media coverage, unrelated to the quality and performance of the
specific program.
4
An elite panel of senior-level practitioners, mostly involving chief information security officers (CISOs),
were involved in setting the criteria and methods used for meta ranking.
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 3
Part 2. Methods
Using a survey instrument, respondents were ask to name up to five U.S. educational institutions
they believe are most committed to advancing students’ learning and domain expertise in the
emerging fields of cybersecurity and information assurances. To facilitate the selection, the name
of 403 schools were provided in a pull down list with the option of sorting by school name (alpha)
or U.S. state. The survey instrument also allowed each participant to freely name an institution
not contained in the master list.
5
Table 1 summarizes the survey response. A total of 49,950 IT or IT security practitioners from a
wide array of organizations were invited through multiple channels to participate in this study.
6
The survey was fielded over a 12-week period concluding in November 2014. This effort resulted
in a final sample of 1,958 reliable surveys, which produced 5,003 separate school ratings – or an
average of 2.6 rating per respondent.
7
Table 1. Sample response
Freq
Pct%
Total sampling frame
49,950
100.0%
Total survey returns
2,219
4.4%
Rejected surveys
261
0.5%
Final sample
1,958
3.9%
Number of school ratings
5,003
Ratings per respondent
2.6
Figure 1 summarizes the approximate position level of respondents in our survey research. As
can be seen, 65 percent of respondents self report being at or above the supervisory level. The
mean years of relevant work experience is 9.85 years (median at 10.0 years). Approximately 76
percent of respondents are male and 24 percent female.
Figure 1: Respondents’ position level
Sample size = 1,958
5
Third-seven respondents added a school name in the free-form survey field, but none of these entries met
our minimum threshold requirement for inclusion in the meta ranking.
6
The sampling frame was created through random selection of Ponemon Institute’s U.S. sampling frame.
7
A subset of 183 educational institutions met the criteria for inclusion in the meta ranking.
8%
19%
23%
15%
33%
2%
Executive/VP
Director
Manager
Supervisor
Technician/Staff
Consultant
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 4
Figure 2 reports the primary industry classification of respondents’ companies. The largest
sectors in our sample include financial services, public sector organizations, health and
pharmaceutical companies (including biotech) and retailers (including e-commerce).
Figure 2: Industry sector of respondents’ companies
Sample size = 1,958
Figure 3 reports the headcount range of respondents’ companies. In this study, headcount serves
as a surrogate for organizational size. The largest segment pertains to organizations with a
headcount of 1,001 to 5,000. The smallest segment pertains to organizations with more than
75,000 employees.
Figure 3: Headcount (size) of respondents’ companies
Sample size = 1,958
20%
14%
12%
10%
9%
9%
8%
4%
3%
2%
2%
1%
Financial services
Public sector
Health & pharma
Retail
Services
Technology & software
Industrial
Consumer products
Energy & utilities
Transportation
Communications
Hospitality
Entertainment & media
Defense & aerospace
Education & research
Agra & food services
27%
36%
20%
10%
7%
Less than 1,000
1,001 to 5,000
5,001 to 25,000
25,001 to 75,000
More than 75,000
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 5
Survey questions
As mentioned, the basic survey design allowed respondents to select up to five institutions for
purposes of program rating. For each school selected, respondents were required to complete
five questions using a 10-point scale. Following are the exact questions included in the survey:
Q1. For [name of school], please rate this program based on your perception of academic
excellence and rigor.
Low
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
High
Q2. For [name of school], please rate this program based on your perception of practical
relevance.
Low
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
High
Q3. For [name of school], please rate this program based on your perception of the experience
and expertise of program faculty.
Low
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
High
Q4. For [name of school], please rate this program based on your perception of the relevant
experience and background of students and graduates.
Low
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
High
Q5. For [name of school], please rate this program based on your perception of the overall
professional reputation in the cybersecurity community.
Low
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
High
Each question is equally weighted. Hence, the average of all five questions is used to compile
R3 as defined below.
Ranking procedures
We carefully executed the following decision rules to compile a meta ranking of cybersecurity and
information assurance programs in the U.S.
First, only educational Institutions with five or more separate ratings were included in the initial
ranking procedures mentioned below. A combined rating system composed of three ranking
procedures was used to determine the meta rank of a given institution. Following are the three
different rating procedures and associated weighting:
8
R1: The rank order of a given institution based on the total number of ratings. R1 is assigned 10
percent weighting.
R2: The rank order of a given institution based on the percentage that this school was identified
first. R2 is assigned 10 percent weighting
R3: The rank order of the average overall rating from five survey questions. R3 is assigned 80
percent weighting.
The Meta Rank is simply a weighted average defined as: [(R1*10%)+(R2*10%)+(R3*80%)]/3 for
each educational institution that met the minimum threshold.
8
The weightings for R1, R2 and R3 were determined by unanimous agreement of the expert panel.
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 6
Part 3. Results
Figure 4 shows the top 12 educational programs in ascending order based on the meta ranking
procedure, which is a combination of three rank scores as defined above. The lowest meta rank
is 2 and the highest meta rank for all rated institutions is 175. The number next to each bar
reflects the meta rank for each institution. Like a golf score, a low meta rank is the objective. As
can be seen, the University of Texas at San Antonio achieves the top position in this year’s study,
followed by Norwich University and Mississippi State University. Syracuse University and
Carnegie Mellon University are tied in forth place.
Figure 4: The top rated cybersecurity programs
Compiled from 183 rated institutions
Table 2 summarizes the data used to construct the R1, R2, R3 and meta rank for the top 12 rated
schools. As can be seen, USC received the most individuated ratings. UT San Antonio received
the highest number of first choice ratings as well as the highest combined average survey score.
Table 2. Data used for meta ranking for top rated
educational institutions
Number of
ratings
Number of
first choice
ratings
Average
survey score
University of Texas, San Antonio
98
90
9.40
Norwich University
69
63
9.20
Mississippi State University
78
67
9.00
Syracuse University
78
70
8.80
Carnegie Mellon University
80
69
8.80
Purdue University
63
44
9.00
University of Southern California
116
57
8.80
University of Pittsburgh
71
66
8.60
George Mason University
91
75
8.60
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
57
45
8.60
U.S. Military Academy, West Point
21
13
9.00
University of Washington
81
40
8.40
20
17
14
12
12
11
8
7
7
5
3
2
0 5 10 15 20 25
University of Washington
U.S. Military Academy, West Point
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
George Mason University
University of Southern California
Purdue University
Syracuse University
Carnegie Mellon University
Mississippi State University
Norwich University
University of Texas, San Antonio
Weighted Meta Rank
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 7
Table 3 summarizes key statistics for 183 schools rated by respondents. The mean values are
above the medians for three characteristics, suggesting these distributions are slightly skewed.
Table 3. Key statistics for 183 rated educational
institutions
Number of
ratings
% of first
choice ratings
Average
survey score
Quartile 1
57.1
75%
8.3
Quartile 2
30.2
39%
7.0
Quartile 3
15.5
17%
6.0
Quartile 4
6.1
01%
4.7
Average
27.3
33%
6.5
Median
23.0
29%
6.4
Maximum
116.0
100%
9.4
Minimum
5.0
0%
3.2
Figure 5 shows the average score for five perception-based questions completed by respondents
using a 10-point scale with a scale median of 5.50 (dotted green line). The average scores for all
183 rated institutions range from a low of 5.54 for the question relating to reputation and a high of
7.22 for academic rigor.
Figure 5: Average scores for five survey questions
Compiled from 183 rated institutions
7.22
6.15
6.51
7.03
5.54
-
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
Academic rigor Practical relevance Program faculty Student quality Reputation
Average score per question Overall average Scale median
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 8
The approximate departmental location of 183 cybersecurity programs is summarized in Figure 6.
As shown, the cybersecurity program is most likely to be situated in engineering or computer
science. Interdisciplinary studies represent programs that are co-located or shared across
academic departments – for example, engineering and computer science or business and library
science.
Figure 6: Academic department where cybersecurity is most likely situated
Compiled from 183 rated institutions
Figure 7 summarizes the average meta rank of cybersecurity program based on departmental
location. Clearly, program location makes a difference. Cybersecurity programs that are
interdisciplinary achieve the most positive rating (lowest meta rank), followed by computer
science and engineering.
Figure 7: Average meta rank by academic department
Compiled from 183 rated institutions
25%
24%
21%
19%
4%
4%
3%
Engineering
Computer science
Interdisciplinary studies
Business or management
Library science
Military science
Legal studies
128
126
119
96
80
75
68
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Business or management
Military science
Legal studies
Library science
Engineering
Computer science
Interdisciplinary studies
Average meta rank by academic department
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 9
Figure 8 summarizes the highest degree offered by the 183 cybersecurity programs rated in this
research. The largest segment pertains to masters followed by a doctoral degree. A fairly large
segment pertains to non-degree programs. Many of these non-degree programs offer course
work or a certificate of completion.
Figure 8: Highest degree offered by the cybersecurity program
Compiled from 183 rated institutions
Figure 9 reports the average meta rank of cybersecurity program based on the highest degree
offered. As can be seen, doctoral granting institutions achieve the most positive rating (lowest
meta rank), followed by bachelors and masters level programs.
Figure 9: Average meta rank by highest degree offered
Complied from 183 rated institutions
38%
24%
15%
13%
10%
Masters
Doctorate
Non-degree
Associates
Bachelors
55
70
78
128
151
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Doctorate Bachelors Masters Associates Non-degree
Average meta rank by highest degree offered
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 10
Part 4. Summarized descriptions of top rated cybersecurity programs
Following are the program descriptions for the top rated programs in cybersecurity. Please note
that this information was obtained directly from the various program websites and not validated by
the researcher.
No.1 University of Texas, San Antonio: The Department of Information Systems and
Technology Management offers more than 14 undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas
of digital forensics, secure network design, intrusion detection and incident response. Students
learn how to protect data, gather and examine digital evidence, perform security risk
assessments and study computer and network forensics procedures. Students selecting this
degree field will develop special expertise in the information security arena. They will learn how to
protect and defend information systems by ensuring their integrity, authentication and
confidentiality.
No.2 Norwich University: Norwich’s Computer Science and Information Assurance (CSIA)
program offers a concentration in Advanced Information Assurance and Digital Forensics. The
National Security Agency has designated Norwich University one of the Centers of Academic
Excellence in Information Assurance Education, an honor of great value in the security
profession.
No.3 Mississippi State University: The Mississippi State University Center for Computer
Security Research (CCSR) is dedicated to the scientific exploration of computer vulnerabilities
with the objective of improving prevention and detection techniques through our core research
areas. We promote computer security education and research.
No.4 (tied) Syracuse University: Information Security Management (ISM) can be defined as the
comprehensive skills that manage a high degree of complex technical security, increased
operational costs, diverse policies, and user behavior. The Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS)
in Information Security Management (ISM) offers a comprehensive set of skills. The 15-credit
program provides students with the flexibility to take coursework that does not overlap with their
current expertise, while giving them tools in information security technology, policy, risk
management, and evaluation, depending on their background. This certificate is offered in both
campus and distance learning formats, and can be completed as a full-time or part-time student.
The certificate is available to those with or without previous experience in the information
technology field. Applicants may be currently working in a related field, or they may be interested
in making a career change into the information security field. The certificate also provides an
opportunity for professional development in information security and serves as a foundation for
career advancement.
No.4 (tied) Carnegie Mellon University: Designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) as
a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance (IA) Education, Cylab is directed by
Dena Haritos Tsamitis, director of the College of Engineering's Information Networking
Institute (INI). Through the INI, as well as the Heinz College, a number of professional graduate
degree programs are offered in information networking, information security and information
technology, to create a pool of IA professionals who can address the wide range of technology,
policy, and management issues in government, industry, and academia. Additionally, several
colleges and departments at Carnegie Mellon offer Ph.D. programs. These include the School of
Computer Science and the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Engineering
and Public Policy, both from the College of Engineering. The Master of Science in Information
Security Technology and Management (MSISTM) provides an in-depth education in topics such
as network and distributed system security, secure software engineering, operating system
security, and applied cryptography. This focus is complemented with courses in management,
information security policy, and other topics essential to the effective management of secure
information systems.
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 11
No.5 Purdue University: Currently offers an interdisciplinary Master’s major in InfoSec. The
program is multidisciplinary and requires (and recommends) courses in Computer Sciences as
well as other fields. The new Ph. D. Program is an extension of the existing Interdisciplinary
Masters’ Program in Information Security. It was both the needs and interests of the graduates
and the United States Government’s (USG) new incentives for preparing Ph.D.-level researchers
in the field that have made this development timely and necessary. The new Interdisciplinary
major prepares students who are interested in enriching their technical and scientific background
in information security and combining it with preparation in a number of other disciplines. The
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program is currently sponsored by the Departments of Communication and
Philosophy, the College of Technology, and the Program in Linguistics, each of which has
established a major in Information Security at the Masters’ level and has now extended it to the
Ph.D. level. Other graduate programs are considering sponsorship at this time. The
interdisciplinary Information Security Masters and Ph.D. majors are the first programs in this field
in the State of Indiana and the region, and are the first truly multidisciplinary residential programs
in the nation.
No.6 University of Southern California: A Comprehensive Approach to Improving Computer
Security USC's Center for Computer Systems Security (CCSS) conducts research and provides
education in the crucial disciplines of computer, network and application security. Courses are
offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and are taught through the USC Viterbi
School of Engineering Computer Science and USC Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical
Engineering and the Information Technology Program. Faculty include distinguished
academicians, USC Information Sciences Institute research faculty, and professional cyber-
security experts. The CCSS also works closely with DETER, a general-purpose, experimental
testbed that supports research and development of next-generation cyber security technologies.
DETER enables users to conduct repeatable, medium-scale Internet emulation experiments in
malicious code and a wide range of other network security issues. Also located at the Information
Sciences Institute, DETER is accessible to CCSS researchers, students and the computer
security community.
No.7 (tied) University of Pittsburgh: The Laboratory for Education and Research on Security
Assured Information Systems (LERSAIS) provides a framework for long-term goals of (1)
establishing a premier research program that focuses on the diverse problems related to security
and survivable information systems, networks, and infrastructures, and (2) developing and
supporting high quality education in security and information assurance. The University of
Pittsburgh has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information
Assurance Education since 2003 and is one of only 13 Centers in the United States with five
CNSS certifications by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS). It will serve as a multidisciplinary forum for the synergistic interaction among
researchers within SIS as well as other experts in IA-related areas outside the school. We invite
industry and academic collaborations in all areas of security research.
No.7 (tied) George Mason University: The Center for Secure Information Systems (CSIS)
provides a dedicated environment to encourage the development of expertise in both the
theoretical and applied aspects of information systems security. CSIS emphasis on information
security makes it unique among the institutions of higher learning in this country. Established in
1990, CSIS has the distinction of being the first academic center in security at a U.S. university.
It is one of the National Security Agency’s original Centers of Academic Excellence in Information
Assurance Education, a designation it continues to hold. In 2008, NSA established a new
designation – The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research
(CAE-Research). CSIS has earned this new designation, and is designated for both CAEIAE and
CAE-Research through 2013. CSIS differentiates itself from other centers by working in a broad
spectrum of security topics and issues. The Center resides within The Volgenau School of
Information Technology and Engineering (IT&E) at George Mason University (Mason).
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 12
No.8 West Chester University of Pennsylvania: The Computer Science Information Security
Center (ISC) has introduced Information Security content such as computer and network security
in the undergraduate and graduate curricula. The NSA has certified the curricula set forth by the
ISC to meet the National Training Standards for Information Systems Security Professionals
(4011) and Systems Administrators (4013). Additionally, the Computer Science Department offers
specific courses that address technical and theoretical issues in Computer Security. Both
undergraduate and graduate students can obtain a Computer Security Certificate by taking
course sequences, which emphasize principles of computer security.
No.9 United States Military Academy, West Point: The Academy is dedicated to researching
and teaching information assurance, computer, and network security. The center for cyber
security research, innovation and education, is responsible for teaching and developing a variety
of courses. Included in these courses are Information Assurance, Information Warfare and
Forensics.
No.10 University of Washington: The Center for Information Assurance and Cybersecurity
(CIAC) prepares students for a career protecting computer systems from accidents, hackers,
viruses and other security threats. It is a unique collaboration between information science,
computer science, economics, electrical engineering and law. Students have the opportunity to
work with nationally known researchers in the field and conduct their own research projects.
Research is conducted across multiple departments at the University of Washington and with
partnering institutions to create an interdisciplinary knowledge-network.
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 13
Appendix 1. Cybersecurity programs in the top quartile
The following list of colleges and universities represent the top 25 percent of all 183 rated by
respondents in this research.
Educational Institutions
State
Weighted Meta
Rank
University of Texas, San Antonio
TX
2
Norwich University
VT
3
Mississippi State University
MS
5
Syracuse University
NY
7
Carnegie Mellon University
PA
7
Purdue University
IN
8
University of Southern California
CA
11
University of Pittsburgh
PA
12
George Mason University
VA
12
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
PA
14
U.S. Military Academy, West Point
NY
17
University of Washington
WA
20
The George Washington University
DC
21
United States Air Force Academy
CO
22
Air Force Institute of Technology
OH
22
Georgia Institute of Technology
GA
24
United States Naval Academy
MD
24
University of Maryland, College Park
MD
25
Dartmouth College
NH
26
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
VA
26
Naval Postgraduate School
CA
27
Oklahoma State University
OK
28
Rice University
TX
29
University of Missouri – Columbia
MO
29
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
MA
30
University of Minnesota
MN
31
Iowa State University
IW
32
Ferris State University
MI
31
Johns Hopkins University
MD
35
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
IL
36
Boston University
MA
37
Indiana University
IN
38
James Madison University
VA
39
Tuskegee University
AL
38
Howard University
DC
39
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
PA
40
Walsh College
MI
41
Brandeis University
MA
42
Texas A&M University
TX
42
University of Houston
TX
44
Ponemon Institute©: Research Report Page 14
Educational Institutions – continued
State
Weighted Meta
Rank
University of Kansas
KS
44
University of Tulsa
OK
45
Rochester Institute of Technology
NY
48
University of California at Davis
CA
49
Rutgers, University
NJ
50
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MA
52
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Measuring Trust in Privacy & Security
Ponemon Institute is dedicated to independent research and education that advances responsible
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As a member of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO), we
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