Russell Norris, Assistant Professor of Business

Preparing Students for In-Demand Fields

Advancements in technology have spurred new industries, inspired new companies, and created new career paths. One such field is cybersecurity, which in itself is a byproduct of advanced technology—more significant, more sophisticated threats.

Russell Norris, Assistant Professor and Director of Security Programs, says things looked different 20 years ago when it came to tech and security.

“We had computer science and computer networking, high-level cryptographic mathematics, and those kinds of things,” he explains, adding that it’s been in the past 10 years that the “cyber-physical domain” has had the potential to cause widespread harm in the real world.

“As the COVID pandemic brought into laser focus, nefarious actors can exploit vulnerabilities in the cyber domain to disrupt all our necessary lifelines. Rivier University cybersecurity management graduates are expertly positioned to meet this challenge by protecting everything from industrial trade secrets, to intermodal logistics pipelines for global goods, to emergency services communications and more,” says Norris.

Companies of all kinds, cities of sizes, and government at all levels must protect their people, their systems, and their data.

Unprecedented Growth

“Cybersecurity is a burgeoning area; it’s exploding right now,” says Norris.

Data from the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirms his statement. The demand for information security analysts—the occupation title used to classify cybersecurity positions—is expected to grow more than 32% through 2032. The level of growth puts it in the “much faster than average” category. The average career growth is 3%.

Addressing the high demand for skilled and experienced cybersecurity professionals, many colleges and universities have embraced a new area of study. Rivier’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management is one such program, and Norris says the school is in a prime location to study and work in this field.

“In New England, especially in southern New Hampshire, we have a lot of large corporations, like BAE Systems and Raytheon; we have an Air Force base 30 minutes south of us; and, we have all of the tech firms across the border in Andover and Boston, Massachusetts,” he explains.

“One factor contributing to the demand for cybersecurity professionals is the vulnerability of current systems and infrastructures, often designed and built before cyber threats emerged,” says Norris. “It’s not just about data breaches: Today, hackers can cause catastrophic events. These are genuine concerns, so we teach classes like Critical Infrastructure Protection. When we’re talking about power grids and water treatment facilities, long-term power outages are a big concern.”

Norris’s example of an emergency management class shows the interdisciplinary nature of a program like cybersecurity management. There’s a mix of science, business, communications, law, as well as ethics.

Unknown Potential

Cybersecurity Management majors at Rivier participate in at least one internship, but can take part is as many as three. During their sophomore year, students have the option to spend six weeks in the traditional classroom and the rest of the semester working off campus with a local partner. As a junior or senior, they’ll complete a 120- or 240-hour internship in the field. Norris says Rivier’s New England location offers students plenty of high-profile options.

Two recent graduates come to mind when Norris thinks of successful placements. One interned at BAE Systems, an international company headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire. BAE provides large-scale security and intelligence solutions to the military. The other interned with a private security company that offers special operations training for the Department of Defense. Both students received full-time job offers as a result of their internships. Other students have interned with companies such as Palo Alto Networks, Dell Computers, Collins Aerospace, and Liberty Mutual Insurance.

“They’ve got steady employment in their career field and several have earned top-secret clearance. I couldn’t be prouder,” says Norris. “I think that speaks not only to the caliber of students we get, but the network we have within the community, and that the community respects our graduates.”

Uncovering Opportunities

Norris believes his role at Rivier is more than working through the curriculum. A retired Marine Corps officer, Norris brings with him valuable experience and insight—and an extensive network.

He’s invited FBI special agents and state and local law enforcement officers to campus to discuss intelligence gathering and sharing. He has also brought in government and private sector experts to talk about hiring practices within their organizations. And, through his relationships, students have found internships and jobs.

“I really work with the students on employment opportunities, because I owe my students better than just teaching in a classroom,” he said. “They know, I’m here to help them develop and become productive citizens in our communities.”

Learn how the B.S. in Cybersecurity Management program can prepare you for an innovative career in technology.