Information Assurance Certification
With threats to national security data and infrastructure escalating every day in the United States, information assurance certification has become one of the most important credentials a federal government employee or contractor can have. The Wall Street Journal states that during 2008 approximately 360 million unauthorized attempts were made to access the Department of Defense’s data network. That represents a significant jump from 2006, when six million attempts were made. The cost to the U.S. government for these types of attacks totaled over $100 million for the first half of 2009 alone. If you don’t know what information assurance is, and you wish to work in a federal government security position or are concerned about maintaining your current position, it is critical that you learn more.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has defined information assurance as ”the practice of managing information-related risks.“ The DoD states that information assurance practitioners ”seek to protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring confidentiality, integrity, authentication, availability, and non-repudiation. These goals are relevant whether the information are in storage, processing, or transit, and whether threatened by malice or accident.“
Acclaimed Villanova University offers a Master Certificate in Information Security Management – Government, a three-course, 100% online program designed to help participants prepare forinformation assurance certification. The comprehensive program’s capstone course, Advanced Information Assurance and Security – Government, examines the very latest aspects of security management and procedures to help IS professionals combat cryptographic attacks and other computer crimes that threaten their organization’s security. The course includes 650 sample test-prep questions for the CISSP® and SSCP® certification exams, and hundreds of questions for the CAP® certification exam.
The Master Certificate in Information Security Management – Government program is offered with the unequaled convenience of 24/7, 100% online learning. Students access lectures via streaming online video, interact with fellow students and professors in real time using innovative web tools like shared whiteboards, two-way voice over IP (VoIP) and chat rooms, and seek assistance with coursework through dedicated email and faculty-monitored message boards. The ”virtual classroom“ is available anytime, practically anywhere using a laptop or other compatible mobile device, or a home- or office-based workstation. If no Internet connection is available, students can listen to lectures on CD.
With its flexibility, interactivity and up-to-date curriculum, Villanova University’s Master Certificate in Information Security Management – Government is ideal for anyone needing to prepare for information assurance certification.


