Fall/Winter 2010 - Technological Leadership Institute - University of ...

MSST off and runningWhen the TLI board members starteddiscussion of potential new programs in2004, they were onto something. Theirdiscussion led to TLI’s focus group researchand extensive collaboration with academicdepartments and colleagues. The resultwas the University’s Master of Science inSecurity Technologies (MSST) program. TLIand the University of Minnesota craftedthe MSST curriculum to respond to theclearly-expressed marketplace needs insecurity technologies training.The MSST program takes amultidisciplinary view of security issuesand technologies, and faculty are drawnfrom eight different colleges at theUniversity of Minnesota. The programis completed in just 14 months and, insummer 2010, the first student cohortmet with 12 faculty members who coveredtopics in Security Science in TechnologyFoundations, Critical InfrastructureProtection, and Psychology and BehaviorIntelligence for Homeland Security.After completing the first semester ofthe new program, we spoke with someMSST faculty and students to get theirfirsthand assessment of it.College of Liberal Arts and UniversityMcKnight Land-Grant Professor, RonaldKrebs was one of thefirst to join the MSSTfaculty team. “WhenProf. Amin approachedme regarding the MSSTprogram, it didn’ttake much to bringme on board, for tworeasons. First, because of the program’sincredibly important mission. And second,because it was an exciting opportunityto engage with a broad range of studentswith extraordinarily varied interests andbackgrounds.”In his MSST class, Psychology andBehavior Intelligence for HomelandSecurity, Prof. Krebs hopes that “I helpedmake my students aware of the ways inwhich security is used politically both athome and abroad. Indeed, it turns outthat the very security measures that aremost politically attractive are often leasteffective.“After my first summer teaching in theMSST program, I loved it. Because thestudents were as broad and varied as I“The MSST program is one ofthe very few paths for me totake to get my ‘dream job.’ Theprogram has both met and far,far exceeded my expectations.Security technologies skills arein demand in the marketplacenow and in the future. Myadvice to other securitytechnology professionals is toconsider this program, too.”– JA SON KOE L L N E R , MSST Class of 2011expected, I learned as much from them—no, actually more!—as they learned fromme.”Humphrey Institute of Public Affairsassociate professor Jennifer Kuzma, partof the multidisciplinary MSST facultyteam, stated that, “Security issues areimportant and programs like this areneeded for society to deal with themin analytical, responsible, and ethicalways—I wanted to contribute to thisneed. In my classes, students get anoverview of biosecurity policy, riskanalysis and systems modeling, which areanalytical frameworks and tools that theMSST students can use in their pursuit ofstudying security issues.”After one semester teaching in the MSSTprogram, Prof. Kuzma stated, “I taughttwo sessions of theCritical InfrastructureProtection class, and Ireally enjoyed it. Thecaliber of the studentswas outstanding andI learned a great dealfrom them. Discussionflowed easily with a lot of multidirectionallearning among peers as wellas from me.“There was a lot of knowledge andenergy in the classroom, which madeit easy to teach and encourage selflearning.For other security technologiesprofessionals considering this program,what I’ve seen as an instructor is thatyou’ll be surrounded by a great group ofcolleagues, you’ll get interdisciplinaryperspectives on security technologyproblems and opportunities, and you’lllikely be in demand after graduating.”Two MSST students, Samuel Musse,data security consultant for US Bancorp,and Jason Koellner, security operationsspecialist for Wells Fargo Co., had this tosay.“I thought the MSST program wouldjust focus on cyber security,” said Mr.Musse. “But it’s muchbroader than that, whichallows you to see howthe multiple facets ofsecurity are connectedto one another. Forexample, we havefaculty from manydifferent colleges at the U, and the facultyexpertise in the field is amazing! Theprogram has allowed me to view securityfrom a broader and deeper perspective andsee what needs to be done.”Mr. Musse continued, “I chose the MSSTprogram to expand the skills I neededto assess, protect, and defend againstthreats to my organization’s informationsystems infrastructure. The MSST programexperience exceeded my expectationsin every way. I am impressed with thequality of faculty and fellow classmates,and I have been exposed to new andvaluable security technologies that I amalready using and will also be able to carryforward into my profession.”Jason Koellner added, “Securitytechnologies skills are in demand in themarketplace now andin the future—whichis good news for mebecause it’s my field ofchoice. As one of theonly programs like thisin the nation, I feel thatthe University’s MSSTprogram will prepare me for my ‘dreamjob.’ I’m learning from the top minds inthe field—it’s an incredible treat and Irelish every moment.“I pursued the MSST to learn more aboutmy profession and to further my careerin it,” said Mr. Koellner. “The programhas both met and far, far exceeded myexpectations. My advice to other securitytechnology professionals is to considerthis program, too.”Fall 2010/Winter 2011 11