Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is now offering students of all academic majors the opportunity to add a minor in cybersecurity that provides a strong foundation to meet future high-tech challenges and follow a growing number of alumni who are already impacting the cybersecurity industry.

A special emphasis of the new minor course of study, starting in the 2023-24 academic year, is providing cybersecurity skills outside of the normal computer science and software engineering program, whose students already become familiar with some cybersecurity issues through regular coursework. 

“We are excited to offer a new minor in cybersecurity,” said Rick Stamper, PhD, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Computers are integrated into most products and services that engineers design today, so it is important that engineers from all majors are prepared to create systems that are secure from cyberattacks. Our new cybersecurity minor will provide the opportunity for our students to develop that capability.” 

Rose-Hulman’s nationally ranked computer science and software engineering major is already designed to give students a solid foundation in computer science, with the ability to customize their coursework to create a cybersecurity emphasis. The department’s collaborative learning culture allows students to tackle challenges in a teamwork environment, which makes them well-suited to hit the ground running in the cybersecurity industry.

“Chemical and mechanical engineers, along with other STEM majors, should know how their designs are impacted by the computers that help automate the machines and critical infrastructure they build,” said Sid Stamm, PhD, associate professor of computer science and software engineering. “This cybersecurity minor is intended to enrich the existing degree program of students in these programs, so that they understand the safety implications of whatever they engineer or study. We want to prepare them to make the things they engineer, by default, secure from cyberattacks and safe for people to use.”

Several Rose-Hulman alumni have put their cybersecurity knowledge to work at well-known companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Google, Airbnb, Groupon and Salesforce. They also work for government contractors like Northrup Grumman, and government agencies that work directly with the defense industry and companies that provide contracted cybersecurity support.

Learn more about the computer science and software program at www.rose-hulman.edu/cybersecurity.