1. UNM Information Assurance Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program

2. What is Information Assurance?
Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) defines information assurance (IA):
Measures that protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation
Obvious subtopics:
Encryption
Network security
Intrusion detection
Secure coding practices
Digital forensics
Not-so-obvious subtopics:
Fraud & forensic accounting
Security policy & implementation
Legal and privacy issues
Education & training

3. IA Overlap to Other Fields

4. Information Assurance at the University of New Mexico

5. UNM History
Security courses and research within multiple departments since the 1990s
UNM’s Center for Information Assurance Research and Education (CIARE) established in 2006
DHS/NSA designation as Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance in 2007
New Mexico regional computer forensics lab (RCFL) opens on UNM south campus in 2012
CAE re-designation (cyber-defense education and research) in 2012 and 2017
NSF Scholarship for Service grant in 2013, 2017

6. UNM – Current IA Programs
Master of Accounting - IA concentration
33 semester credit hours with in IA/Cyber
Graduates work primarily in fraud/forensic accounting, internal auditing, and public accounting
Master of Computer Science
33 semester credit hours
Cybersecurity emphasis available through multiple courses and research projects
Master of Electrical & Computer Engineering

7. UNM – Current IA Programs - Continued
Master of Science (MS) in Information Systems and Assurance
Minimum 32 semester credit hours
No formal tracks – take courses in IA/Cyber, MIS, or both
Study plans customized to student background and career goals
4 management core courses required but waived for students with an undergraduate management degree
IS security intro, database management intro, and project management are required but waived for students with similar undergraduate coursework
Remaining courses taken from IS/IA electives
A thesis option is available

8. UNM IA SFS Program
UNM was awarded National Science Foundation grants in 2013 and 2017 for the UNM Information Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program
21 students graduated as of December 2018
10 students in progress as of January 2019
Current grant funding through end of 2021
SFS programs exist at approximately 70 colleges and universities though only a handful are administered within management schools
Students are funded to complete an IA-related Master’s degree in exchange for working within the Cybercorps® for 2 years after graduation

9. UNM IA SFS Program Summary
Complete a Masters degree in IA at UNM following pre-approved study plan
Full funding for three semesters
Mandatory summer internship – most are in Washington, D.C.
Mandatory 2-years employment in Cybercorps® - most positions are in Washington, D.C.
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and eligible to receive a Top Secret security clearance by time of graduation

10. UNM IA SFS Per Student Funding
All tuition and fees
Stipend - $2833 per month
Book allowance - $1000 per semester
Travel to job fairs and conferences
Other professional development expenses (e.g., certification courses and exams)
Health insurance reimbursement up to $3000 per year

11. SFS Awardee Obligations
Register with the OPM SFS office
Register with USAJOBS.gov and configure alerts for IA-related job postings under the Pathways Intern and Pathways Recent Graduates programs
Join the student-led Network Exploitation Security Team (NEST), attend all meetings, and participate in all activities
Participate in events and activities assigned by the SFS program director
Attend SFS career planning and placement events as assigned by the SFS program director and work with the program director and OPM SFS office to secure an internship and career placement
Meet with the SFS program director and other advisors on a regular schedule
Follow your study plan as approved by the SFS program director
Maintain good academic standing and progress toward your Master’s degree
Avoid any behavior that might negatively influence your ability to obtain or keep a high-level security clearance
Work in the CyberCorps® for at least 2 years after graduation

12. Student Timeline
Apply for scholarship by September (for January start) or by May (August start) – must also apply for Master’s program
Interview for scholarship
Awardees notified on a rolling basis (September to October for January start, March to June for August start)
Preparation during fall for January SFS job fair in Washington, D.C – find an internship
Complete spring (or fall and spring) courses
Complete internship in summer
Complete remaining courses
Attend January SFS job fair – find a Cybercorps placement
Graduate and begin work in the Cybercorps®