Information Security and Intelligence
Key courses:
- Cloud Security (AWS)
- Digital Forensics
- Mobile Security and Penetration Testing
- Network Forensics and Analysis
- Data Intelligence Competitive Theory
- Database Security
- Link and Visual Analysis
- Risk Analysis and Strategy
Requirements Apply
Here
98.4% of ISI graduates surveyed over the past three years have indicated that they would choose the ISI program if they had it to do over again.
The Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Information Security and Intelligence (ISI and MISI) programs prepare you to embark on a career as a cybersecurity professional, data analyst, digital forensic investigator, FBI special agent, risk analyst, penetration tester, and more. Undergraduate students can major in ISI and specialize in several areas including penetration testing, digital forensics/incident response, data analytics, project management, or a foreign language. Both the Master of Science in ISI and the Bachelor of Science ISI programs are available online. In addition, the BS in ISI is the only cybersecurity program in Michigan that is ABET-accredited in cybersecurity and is currently the only Cyber Security program in the United States that is ABET-accredited to be delivered 100% online.
ISI students focus on cybersecurity, information assurance, compliance and auditing, business intelligence, incident response, and project management. The ISI programs are designated as a National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. Ferris was the first University in the United States to be designated as a Department of Defense/Air Force Cyber Command Center of Digital Forensic Academic Excellence.
This program offers international experience, with opportunities to study abroad, learn from international faculty that have taught on four continents, and earn your degree online. The ISI program is interdisciplinary with partnerships between multiple campus units including the Business Data Analytics and Foreign Languages (Languages/Literature) programs.
Each ISI faculty member has more than 10 years of in-field work experience, an average of four industry certifications, and has published numerous books and journal articles. Further demonstration of research activity includes funding by the National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, Department of Defense, and other U.S. and international organizations.
New & Noteworthy
COVID-19 in the Industry: Dr. Greg Gogolin on Information Security and Intelligence
May 1, 2020
One of the many industries impacted by COVID-19 is Information Security and Intelligence. To discuss the changes to both cyber security and his classes at Ferris State University, Dr. Greg Gogolin gave his perspective on the virus. One impact of…Read more »
Trio of ISI Students Receive Grants to Pursue Certifications in Cyber Security
March 5, 2020
Three Ferris State University Information Security and Intelligence program upperclassmen have received scholarships to pursue certifications to become distinguished as highly proficient cybersecurity students. Junior Kyle Bolander, from Sanford, and seniors Timothy Molnar, from Royal Oak, and Austin Moody, from…Read more »
Information Security and Intelligence Program Receives ABET Accreditation
September 25, 2019
The Information Security & Intelligence program is one of the first universities in the United States and the only university in Michigan to receive ABET accreditation in Cyber Security through the Computing Accreditation Commission. ABET is the Accreditation Board for… Read more »
College of Business Students Recognized for Excellence
May 14, 2019
The College of Business recently recognized 20 outstanding upperclassmen by presenting them with Student Excellence Awards. On Friday, April 04, 2019, recipients were treated to a catered dinner and a speech from Jeff Harrold, retired Chairman and CEO of Auto-Owners Insurance.… Read more »
Students Achieve new AWS Certification
December 31, 2018
Eleven students in the Ferris State University Information Security and Intelligence program concluded their Fall 2018 semester with earning industry certification in Amazon AWS. These students have earned recognition in AWS Cloud Computing which is one of the highest in-demand technology… Read more »
High School Cyber Competition
October 30, 2018
The Ferris State Information Security and Intelligence program hosted two high school competitions in the fall of 2018. Approximately 200 students attended the events where they were introduced to a potential career in cyber security and data analysis. The students… Read more »
Cyber Academy Camp
June 30, 2018
The Ferris State University Information Security and Intelligence program conducted their second Cyber Academy Camp. 18 students from around the state of Michigan attended a 3 day camp where they learned to apply cryptography, digital forensics, and password skills through… Read more »
Students Earn Certified Ethical Hacker C|EH Certification
April 30, 2018
There are 14 new Certified Ethical Hackers C|EH from Ferris State’s Information Security and Intelligence program ready to help defend organizations and our nation from cyber attacks. The Information Security and Intelligence program is an Accredited Training Center for EC… Read more »
Information Security and Intelligence Program at Ferris becomes an AWS Academy
April 20, 2018
The Information Security and Intelligence program at Ferris State University has recently become an AWS Academy and Gerald Emerick, ISI faculty, has recently become an AWS Certified Solutions Architect and AWS Academy Accredited Instructor. A new Cloud Security and Penetration… Read more »
MS in Information Security & Intelligence Ranked 26th Nationally by US News & World Reports
April 8, 2018
The Master of Science in Information Security & Intelligence program at Ferris State University was ranked 26th nationally of all non-MBA online business programs by US News & World Reports. According to US News & World Reports, “Schools are ranked according… Read more »
Eight College of Business Faculty Members Recognized at Annual Author Celebration
March 16, 2018
Eight College of Business faculty members were recognized for their recent scholarly accomplishments on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the Ferris State University annual Author Celebration. Those recognized included: Timothy Brotherton, Marketing Beverly DeMarr, Human Resource Management Greg Gogolin, Information Security and Intelligence Henry Ho, Marketing Karyn… Read more »
Information Security & Intelligence Program Hosts Spring 2018 Cyber Competition
March 6, 2018
The Information Security & Intelligence program hosted 70 high school students from 10 school districts to compete in a cyber competition on the Ferris State University Big Rapids campus on March 5, 2018. Students participated in this inaugural competition where… Read more »
Michigan’s First Cyber Competition Center to be Established at Ferris State University
January 22, 2018
The Information Security and Intelligence program received a grant from the National Security Agency and Department of Defense to establish Michigan’s first Cyber Competition Center at Ferris State University. The $160,000 grant provides funding to establish a facility to host… Read more »
Eager to Learn: Information Security and Intelligence Senior Bryce Coty Gains Knowledge at SpartanNash Internship
October 17, 2017
As a senior in the Information Security and Intelligence program and a student computer support technician for Ferris, Bryce Coty is extremely knowledgeable about computers. While he could have gone into his internship at SpartanNash ready to show off what…Read more »
Women in Cybersecurity Student Organization Seeks to Change Statistics
September 25, 2017
Currently, 89 percent of cybersecurity jobs are held by men. The members of the Ferris Women in Cybersecurity registered student organization (RSO) are unwilling to let it stay that way. Their purpose, according to their Facebook page is to: “Raise… Read more »
Summer Cybersecurity Camp Hosted by Ferris Information Security and Intelligence Program
July 12, 2017
The Information Security and Intelligence (ISI) program recently hosted their first Cybersecurity summer camp for high school students at Ferris State University. Students with no prior Cybersecurity experience investigated a cyber crime scene through the eyes of a digital forensic… Read more »
Ferris Information Security and Intelligence Programs Renewed as a National Center of Digital Forensic Academic Excellence
June 16, 2017
Ferris State University’s Information Security and Intelligence programs have been reviewed and renewed as a National Center of Digital Forensic Academic Excellence (CDFAE). Ferris State was the first university in the nation to achieve this designation, which was established by… Read more »
Information Security and Intelligence Students Place 2nd at National Cyber League Championship
May 10, 2017
A team of 10 Ferris State University Information Security and Intelligence students competed in the Spring 2017 National Cyber League Championship game and placed an impressive 2nd place in their bracket and 18th out of 149 teams overall. The… Read more »
Ethical Hacker Certification Earned by Information Security and Intelligence Students
May 3, 2017
Twelve Information Security and Intelligence students earned the The Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) certification, an internationally recognized and highly respected certification, on April 22nd as part of their capstone experience course. The certification is highly desired amongst employers and… Read more »
Information Security & Intelligence Professor and Alumna Published in International Journal of Handheld Computing Research
April 11, 2017
A research article entitled “The Use of Embedded Mobile, RFID, Location Based Services, and Augmented Reality in Mobile Applications” authored by Dr. Greg Gogolin, professor and program director of Information Security & Intelligence (ISI), and Erin Gogolin 2014 graduate of… Read more »
Assistant Professor Becomes First Educator to Achieve New Certification
January 12, 2017
During the holiday break, College of Business assistant professors Gerald Emerick and Jim Furstenberg both became certified in different aspects of cyber security. Furstenberg became a Certified Network Defender, and Emerick became the first educator in the nation to be… Read more »
Information Security and Intelligence Program Highlights for 2016
December 13, 2016
The Information Security and Intelligence (ISI) program here at Ferris State University has made some huge strides this year. From collaborating with a top mobile forensic company to attending conferences throughout the Fall semester, ISI students are experiencing these program… Read more »
Information Security & Intelligence Students Place in The Top 10 Percent in National Competition
December 6, 2016
A team of Ferris State University Information Security and Intelligence (ISI) students, organized by ISI professor Gerald Emerick, participated in the Fall National Cyberleague competition the week of Nov. 28th and placed in the top 10 percent. “This is an… Read more »
The Community of Women in Cybersecurity Grows
April 1, 2016
While cybersecurity is a growing industry, only 11 percent of workers in the field globally are women. Women in the cybersecurity program here at Ferris are ready to change that statistic. Professor Hwee-Joo Kam has created Women in Cybersecurity, a… Read more »
Information Security and Intelligence program becomes an Accredited Training Center
February 24, 2016
The Ferris State University Information Security and Intelligence program recently became an Accredited Training Center for EC Council (https://www.eccouncil.org), a global leader in cyber security certification, training, and best practices. This designation enables the ISI program to offer the EC… Read more »
Information Security and Intelligence Recognized by NSA
May 20, 2015
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Ferris State University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. This designation, in effect through academic year 2020, means that the Ferris Information… Read more »
Dr. Greg Gogolin—Recovering Lost Data
April 8, 2015
Dr. Greg Gogolin, Information Security and Intelligence Professor at Ferris State University has been conducting research to recover lost data. CD’s and DVD’s are data known as Optical Data. With the availability of CD’s, DVD’s and burners, it is possible…Read more »
Information Security Knowledge Exchanged with Dutch Saxion University
February 10, 2015
As part of a faculty exchange between Ferris and Saxion University, Gerald Emerick, a professor in the Information Security and Intelligence (ISI) program, visited The Netherlands in December 2014. Emerick delivered a seminar in Information Security titled “SQL Injection Attacks and Privilege… Read more »
Alum’s Skills Highlighted by Liam Neeson
January 15, 2015
Ferris College of Business alum Casey Wiggins entered–and won!–the Taken 3 Particular Set of Skills contest, created by LinkedIn and 20th-Century Fox. The contest was conducted through LinkedIn, where a member’s profile was judged for particular skill sets. The prize was a video of… Read more »
Professor and Graduate Publish on Maximizing Data Recovery
October 29, 2014
Ferris professor of Information Security and Intelligence (ISI) Dr. Greg Gogolin, ISI graduate Derek Browers, and George Mason professor Dr. James Jones were recently published in Quality Magazine. The article is titled “Maximizing Data Recovery: Utilizing 3-D Digital Laser Microscopy… Read more »
Program Ranks in National Top 25 for Cybersecurity
September 12, 2014
A recent study sponsored by Hewlett Packard ranked Ferris’s Information Security and Intelligence program in the top 25 nationally for cybersecurity education. The colleges and universities were judged using five criteria: Academic excellence Practical relevance Program faculty experience and expertise Student… Read more »
Professor’s Book on Digital Forensics Cited in US Supreme Court Case
August 14, 2014
Dr. Greg Gogolin, a professor in the Information Security and Intelligence program, was recently cited several times in the landmark United States Supreme Court case Riley v. California. The case held, in a ruling decided on June 25, 2014, the… Read more »
Information Security and Intelligence Students Rank Second in State
March 6, 2014
A team of students from the Information Security and Intelligence (ISI) program recently competed in the Cyber Collegiate Defense Competition (CCDC) and were honored with a 2nd place state-wide ranking. ISI professor Gerald Emerick and Adjunct Professor Vel Pavlov advised… Read more »
Information Security and Intelligence Student Wins National Scholarship
May 6, 2013
Ashleigh Marie LaLonde, a student in the Information Security and Intelligence program, is one of just five nationally to be awarded the 2013 Cyber Studies Scholarship from the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Educational Foundation. Cyber Security Scholarships of $5,000 are awarded… Read more »
Ferris Team Bests Prior Champion at College Cyber Defense
March 19, 2013
A seven-student team representing Ferris at the College Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) achieved unprecedented success in their first year of competition, according to the CCDC. Placing second, the Frris team achieved a higher rank than the Baker College team, which… Read more »
Online Graduate Business Programs Recognized by U.S. News and World Report
January 18, 2013
Ferris State University’s online graduate business programs rank among the nation’s best, according to U.S. News and World Report’s Top Online Education rankings. Ferris ranked 54 out of 213 schools listed in the prestigious news magazine’s report released this week. The College of… Read more »
Real World Experience for IT students
October 11, 2012
Information Technology students are expanding their networks and gaining professional, real world experience through the Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP). AITP welcomes any IT students along with CIS, CIT, and ISI majors. This organization is available to those who…Read more »
Information Security and Intelligence Revamps Student Organization
October 5, 2012
The Information Security and Intelligence program (ISI) is reactivating the Information Security and Intelligence Alliance (ISIA) registered student organization (RSO). Offering members a range of opportunities, this organization focuses on raising awareness of information security, among both Ferris students and… Read more »
Admissions
1. New First Year or “First Time in Any College Freshmen (FTIAC)” Applicant COB Admission Criteria
Applicants are expected to meet the criteria listed below to be placed directly into a College of Business bachelor/associate degree program except Graphic Design (DSGN), Information Security & Intelligence (ISIN), PGA Golf Management (PGA), and Professional Tennis Management (PTM) which have specific admission requirements listed in Section 3. Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean’s Office/Student Academic Affairs (SAA).
Applicants completing the SAT after Fall, 2016, must have a 2.5 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and meet two of the three criteria below:
- SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing (ERW) score of 450 or higher.
- SAT Math score of 500 or higher. Placement in Math 109/110 will be considered (SAT MATH score 480).
- SAT Composite score of 900.
Applicants completing the ACT; or applicants completing the SAT before Fall, 2016, must have a 2.5 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and meet two of the three criteria below:
- English ACT score of 16 or higher, or SAT Writing score of 370 or higher
- Math ACT score of 19 or higher, or SAT Math score of 460 or higher
- Reading ACT score of 19 or higher, or SAT Reading score of 430 or higher
ACT/SAT score requirements shall not apply to international students and non-traditional students age 23 or older. However, a placement test (specified by Ferris State University and/or COB) may be necessary for English and Math. Most students complete the Accuplacer at the FSU Testing Center or approved satellite location.
Applicants not meeting the above criteria (or criteria for direct admission into a specific COB program listed in Section 3), MAY be considered for an approved Associates Degree if:
- High School GPA of 2.35 or higher
- Math ACT score of 16/SAT Math 430 and additional high school algebra
- ACT Reading score of 16 and ACT English score of 14 or a comparable SAT ERW score to be determined.
- SAT Composite score of 860 or ACT composite score of 15.
2. Transfer Applicant COB Admission Criteria (this includes internal applicants from other FSU colleges and external applicants from other institutions)
Applicants are expected to meet the criteria listed below to be placed directly into a College of Business bachelor/associate degree program except for Accountancy/Computer Information Systems (ACIS), Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Information Technology (CIT), Graphic Design (DSGN), Information Security & Intelligence (ISIN), Music Industry Management (MIM), PGA Golf Management (PGA), and Professional Tennis Management (PTM) which have specific admission requirements listed in Section 3. Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean’s Office/SAA.
Transfer applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Combined college or university GPA of 2.35 (on a 4.0 scale) from all institutions attended. GPA is based on completion of 12 credit hours or more. Developmental courses will not be considered in computing the GPA requirement.
- Transfer equivalency for FSU English 150 or placement during the first semester at FSU which would require an ACT English score of 16 or higher; or SAT ERW score of 450; or Accuplacer English score 6 or higher.
- Transfer equivalency for FSU Math 114/115 or placement during the first semester at FSU which would require an ACT Math score of 19 or higher; or SAT Math score of 500; or Accuplacer MATH scores: Elementary Algebra score 75 or higher and College Level Math 0 – 49.
ACT/SAT score requirements shall not apply to international students and non-traditional students age 23 or older. However, a placement test (specified by Ferris State University and/or COB) may be necessary for English and Math. Most students complete the Accuplacer at the FSU Testing Center or an approved satellite location.
COB students may transfer into another COB program with a 2.0 FSU GPA unless they do not meet requirements that are program specific. A “Program Change Form” will be processed in the Dean’s Office/SAA (BUS 200).
FSU students may transfer into a COB program with a 2.35 FSU GPA unless they do not meet requirements that are program specific. A “Program Change Form” will be processed in the Dean’s Office/SAA (BUS 200).
3. COB Specific Programs’ Admission Criteria
New applicants (FTIAC)* and transfer applicants interested in Accountancy/Computer Information Systems (ACIS), Systems Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Information Technology (CIT), Graphic Design (DSGN), Information Security and Intelligence (ISIN), Music Industry Management (MIM), PGA Golf Management (PGA), and Professional Tennis Management (PTM) have specific admission criteria as follows:
Accountancy/Computer Information Systems (ACIS-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants must meet the COB FTIAC admission criteria.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and have a combined college or university 2.5 GPA.
Computer Information Systems (CIS-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and have a combined college or university 2.5 GPA.
Computer Information Technology (CIT-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and have a college or university 2.5 GPA.
Graphic Design Bachelor’s Degree (DSGN-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria. Students must maintain a 2.7gpa in their DSGN courses.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and will be referred to the Program Coordinator for portfolio review to determine acceptance and placement within the program.
Information Security & Intelligence (ISIN-BS-BU and ISIN-AAS-BU)
- All applicants applying for admission to the ISIN programs will submit a 750 – 1,000 word essay that addresses the following: Who they are and why they desire admission in the ISIN program, description of a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution, or experience, and description of someone that influenced them and why.
- Minimum computer spec for ISIN students: Laptop; Windows or OSX/MacOS; 8 GB RAM, 16GB recommended; 500 GB HDD or SSD; CPU minimum i5 or equivalent.
- FTIAC applicants require a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from high school and a Math ACT minimum score of 22 or Math SAT minimum score of 550.
- Transfer applicants must have a combined 3.00 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from all institutions attended. GPA is based on completion of 24 hours or more. Students must have completed the transfer equivalent of FSU’s Math 114/115 or higher (this does not include FSU’s equivalent of Math 117) with a minimum 2.00 GPA or have a Math ACT minimum score of 22 or Math SAT minimum score of 550. (See information above regarding the required essay.)
Music and Entertainment Business (MEBM-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria and (see Section 2) have a combined college or university 2.5 GPA. Typically no more than 45 applicable credit hours should be transferred from other institutions. Exceptions will be based on approval by the MIM Program Director.
PGA Golf Management (PGA-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants require a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from high school, ACT composite score of 19 or SAT composite score of 980. The program has a Fall Semester entry only. Because of the uniqueness of the program, applicants are encouraged to visit campus and talk with an admissions counselor and/or the PGA program coordinator.
- There are two alternatives for students to demonstrate the golf playing ability required to enter the Ferris State PGA Golf Management Program. Each State Golf Association offers memberships that include score posting for rounds played to allow golfers to establish an official handicap. If a student elects to use option 1 below, the maximum permitted USGA/World Handicapping System Index is 8.0.
- In Michigan, for example, the Golf Association of Michigan offers score posting options online. The following link will take you directly to the GAM Membership page. As a GAM Member not only can you post your scores but the GAM offers discounts on greens fees and merchandise at various courses throughout Michigan. https://www.gam.org/?Membership&view=Join
- The other alternative is to demonstrate playing proficiency in a 36 hole PGA Playing Ability Test (PAT) conducted in any PGA Section in the United States. The proficiency considered acceptable by Ferris State is as follows: In at least one of the two rounds of the PAT, the student shoots a score that is within 5 strokes of the PAT Target Score.
For Example, the PAT Target Score for 36 Holes = 158 (79 + 79 = 158)
Player in PAT Shoots 84 and 86 in the two rounds. Since at least one round (the 84) is within 5 strokes of 79 that would be considered acceptable.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and demonstrate golfing ability as explained above. Transfer equivalency or placement in ENGL-150 and MATH-114 or MATH-115.
- Students must complete the program within eight years of the initial enrollment as required by the PGA.
- PGA Playing Ability Test Registration
Professional Tennis Management (PTM-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants require a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from high school, NTRP of 4.0 with USTA District ranking and one of the following two criteria: (1) ACT Math score of 19 or higher or SAT Math score of 500 OR (2) ACT Reading score of 19 or higher or SAT ERW to be determined.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admissions criteria (see Section 2) and NTRP of 4.0 or USTA District ranking.
4. Undergraduate COB Certificate Programs’ Admission Criteria
Any person admitted to a Ferris State University degree program may enroll in courses for undergraduate COB certificates. No more than 50% of the credits in a certificate may be transferred from another institution. If a student is in a FSU degree-seeking program, the certificate will not be granted if more than 50% of the certificate credits are required in the program/major. The certificate will be granted upon completion with an average GPA of 2.0 or higher in the courses designated for the certificate.
Individuals wanting to advance their career, but not admitted to an FSU degree program, may also earn undergraduate COB certificates.
Admission process for individuals seeking only a certificate:
- Applicant should show proof of high school graduation with a 2.35 GPA. If it is determined by the COB Dean’s Office/SAA that regular program admission criteria should be met in order to complete the certificate successfully and be a contributing member of the course, all college transcripts should be submitted to the Admissions Office. Once admitted, an advisor will be assigned by the College of Business in the certificate program.
- Dual enrolled/concurrent students must complete their high school degree (provide transcript) before the certificate will be granted from FSU.
- Students wishing to pursue a bachelor or associate’s degree must meet the admission criteria for the program. This criteria review is initiated when the “Program Change Form” request is processed through the COB Dean’s Office/SAA.
Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean’s Office/SAA
*This document is subject to change. Questions should be submitted to the COB Dean’s Office/Student Academic Affairs (BUS 200) in care of the Director of Student Academic Affairs (231-591-2420).
SLG: April 9, 2013; Spring, 2014 (PHMT and eliminate PMIM); December, 2014(editorial); August 20, 2015 (criteria change: Section 1 preprogram requirements; PGA Golf Management name change); April and May, 2016 (Certificate process updates); Reviewed by AC: March 16, 2017 and updated on April 4, 2017 (Updates with certificate, ISIN admissions criteria, SAT updates, program changes, eliminate pre-programs, editorial changes); June 13, 2107 (MIM transfer credit clarification); June 19, 2017 (CIS transfer criteria update: combined college GPA 2.5 GPA); July 27, 2017 (ISIN computer recommendations; Accountancy/Computer Information Systems transfer criteria update: combined college GPA 2.50); August 16, 2017 (Edit); Oct 6, 2017 (ISIN AAS); November 7, 2017 (PTM edit “or USTA”);