Information systems security has always been a priority for organizations, but during the past ten years the internet has rapidly transformed these security challenges. In order to be more competitive many organizations are relying more and more on web technologies to help build synergies in their operations so that they can reduce costs and be more competitive. Help functions often are becoming web centered. Shopping cart systems

make it easier to sell directly and quickly to maximize profits. Government wants to make its services available at reduced costs through processing service requests through web portals. All of these changes create challenges to those who secure the information assets of the enterprise. It’s not easy. But what we do know, is that the total traffic on the internet doubles every six months and the total business transactions is growing exponentially and we are nearing a multi-trillion dollar mark in terms of business done on-line. Security challenges are intensifying at a rapid rate.

The Information Systems Security curriculum builds strong technical skills and management skills. Our technical courses are centered around the market share held by the operating systems used by servers in industry which are predominately: Unix-like server operating systems; Microsoft server operating systems; and to a lesser degree Novell server operating systems. On the client side we stress Microsoft client software since 94% of all client software is Microsoft. All 10 technical courses are based on the above server systems. Our Information Systems Security management courses rely on best practices in security. Some of these best practices come from the International Standards Organization standards for security (like ISO 17799 and ISO 15408). Other courses deal with legal requirements for security (such as the five federal/provincial privacy acts that apply in Alberta).

We encourage you to pursue your interest in information systems security at Concordia, to build professional knowledge, technical skills and values that will enable you to succeed and make a difference. The information systems security program after-degree program is unique among security programs in Canada and is one of few available. This coming year will be an exciting one for the Information Systems Security Program.

Ron Ruhl, MBA
Assistant Professor, and
Director, Information Systems Security Department