Kobe MSIT-IS

The Master of Science in Information Technology - Information Security program (Kobe MSIT-IS) is offered at Carnegie Mellon CyLab Japan in Kobe, in collaboration with Hyogo Institute of Information Education Foundation. The degree is a joint initiative between the INI and Heinz College.

The MSIT-IS degree prepares students to become leaders in information security by blending education in information security technology, business management, and policy.

The curriculum provides background, insights, and general and technical coverage of key elements of information security, while equipping students with the analytical methods and management practices to succeed as managers and technologists in the growing and rapidly changing field of information security. The option to choose between the Management Track and the Technical Track will further prepare students to take a leading role in the career path of their choice.

While experience in information technology is a must, the Kobe MSIT-IS program is not restricted to students with a purely technological background. Thanks to the variety of electives, students with a management background may apply to enter the program on a Management track. Overall, the core course and elective course requirements are identical to the Technical Track, but Management Track students are encouraged to select management-oriented elective courses (e.g., 90- xxx or 95-xxx courses) in priority.

Binational Location

This program is offered in two locations as follows:
2009 Fall semester (August - December 2009) at Carnegie Mellon CyLab Japan (Kobe, Japan)
2010 Spring semester through Fall semester (January – December 2010) at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A.)

As a student enrolled in the Kobe MSIT-IS, you begin your program of studies in Kobe at Carnegie Mellon CyLab Japan for the first fall semester and then travel to Carnegie Mellon's main campus in Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A, for the remainder of the program. Kobe exposes you to concepts of information security and privacy in the local context, while Pittsburgh offers you interdisciplinary coursework from the colleges of computer science, business and public policy. You can join Carnegie Mellon's innovative research groups and interact with faculty who are leaders in their fields.

While in the MSIT-IS program, whether you're in Japan or the U.S.A., the INI is fully equipped with state-of-the-art distributed education technology equipment to stay connected no matter where you are.

Program Learning Objectives

Through this program, you will:

• Assess the information security risks faced by an organization
• Understand the technological and human problems linked to these risks
• Evaluate technological tools and protocols available to protect against these risks, mitigate system vulnerabilities, and restore services
• Manage the development, acquisition, and evolution of a secure information infrastructure
• Assess the impact of information security policy, legal environment, and market developments on complex systems and organizational objectives
• Equip yourself for life-long learning and professional growth in information security disciplines

Degree Standards

The Kobe MSIT-IS is assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure the integrity of the degree being conferred. The components of the assessment include: direct classroom observation, inter-rating grading analysis to ensure grading consistency, tracking of overall performance, online surveys and focus groups to measure student satisfaction, faculty course evaluations rating overall course quality and quality of the instructor, and continuous evaluation of distance learning technologies.

Upon completion, students receive a degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

Program Sponsors

Carnegie Mellon CyLab Japan would not be possible without the support of the Hyogo Institute of Information Education Foundation and Toshizo Ido, Governor of Hyogo Prefecture.

Go deeper into this program

Curriculum >> Courses >> Admission >> Application Details >> Apply

Kobe Faculty Advisor

Nicolas Christin

Assoc. Director, INI; and
Systems Scientist, INI and CyLab

Office: 4720 Forbes Avenue, CIC, Room 2108
Telephone: (412) 268-4432

Kobe Photos