Fact: Humans make decisions that impact the role of digital technology in our society. The University of St. Thomas-Houston encourages those decisions be guided by ethics informed by Catholic social teaching.
With its newly launched Global Cybersecurity B.A. program, UST gives students a decided advantage. In addition to providing tech-savvy skills, UST is expanding the conversation about the impact and role of technology in society today by injecting values and ethics into the governance conversation. In addition, the university is structuring its program to encourage participation by women and persons of color and setting its students up for success and leadership.
UST’s cybersecurity program: A cut above and led by experience
“Other cybersecurity programs are tech-heavy and tech-specific,” said Eric Botts, director of UST’s Global Cybersecurity program. “Their graduates wind up moving from one entry-level position to another, seldom cracking the ceiling to a manager or senior levels. When working for the U.S. Department of State, I noticed that everyone operated in silos. There was no one to understand and connect the different groups like governance, operations, and supply chain, and I stepped into that critical role. Now, UST prepares cybersecurity students to bridge the gap between technicians and the executive level.”
UST’s Global Cybersecurity Degree identifies and bridges the gap between technicians and executive level
The multi-disciplinary program, directed by Botts and housed within the Department of International Studies and Modern Languages, prepares students to bridge the gap between technicians and the executive level. Jobs after graduation could include interfacing with internet governance societies about data protection, privacy, and ethics. Graduates also could be involved in designing systems and policies for small to mid-sized businesses, NGOs, intergovernmental organizations, and auditing systems for bias.
“Our students will understand the digital ecosystem on both the theoretical and operational level, including management of a security operations center (SOC),” said Botts, who is also assistant professor of international studies at UST. “They will know about writing software applications and defending systems from attacks, but their orientation will be at a different level. They will be able to address the moral and ethical framework as well as advise, ‘Before you sign this contract, here are some of the vulnerabilities as you go into this market.’”
Society is creating a global digital ecosystem where all commerce is e-commerce. Social and political systems sit on a digital platform as well.
With its new Global Cybersecurity B.A., the University of St. Thomas-Houston stays on the cutting edge of these evolving conversations. UST addresses the topics at the level of both purpose and ethical conduct to advance human progress. The result is students who are well prepared for success.
Learn why Botts says, “We are at War”
Botts teaches Cyber Warfare, Cyber Ethics, Enterprise Cybersecurity, and Digital Governance courses. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Mary’s University and a Master of Security Management degree from the University of Houston Downtown. After serving for 31 years in the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Service officer (Santo Domingo, Seoul, Dublin, and Nassau), assistant director of the Houston Passport Agency, and an information systems security officer, Botts retired in 2014. He has worked in the private sector as a security project manager for Swailes Co. Inc., specializing in physical security, investigations, due diligence, travel security, digital forensics, and computer crimes.
He recently addressed the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston on “The Geopolitics of Cybersecurity.” His cautionary bottom line, “We are at war.” However, since the heavily consequential conflict occurs within cyberspace, Botts pointed out that the “war” is invisible. Given the growing awareness of this invasive, hidden threat, he shared that a robust international conversation is taking shape within the United Nations and civil society about norms for cyber behavior and acceptable standards of internet governance. The University of St. Thomas has joined this conversation.
Be part of a unique program offered 100% online or by hyflex. Find more information about the new Global Cybersecurity B.A. program.
The University of St. Thomas is Houston’s Catholic University. For more than 75 years, UST has graduated students into successful careers in medicine, education, business, public administration and more. As Houston grows, UST will continue to provide the strong leaders and skilled workers needed to meet those demands.
