Information Security and Integrity
Communication and Information
Program Overview
The Information Security and Integrity concentration within the online Master of Science in Communication and Information prepares students to protect, evaluate, and manage information in an increasingly complex digital landscape. Through flexible, asynchronous online coursework, students explore the security and integrity of information and content—the foundation of modern communication, media, and information professions.
Designed for students interested in the intersection of communication, technology, and information security, the concentration develops skills applicable across a range of emerging and established careers. Graduates may pursue roles such as:
- Information Security Analyst
- Disinformation Analyst
- Intelligence Analyst
- Information Operations Policy Analyst
- Online Threat Intelligence Researcher
- Content Moderation Analyst
- Information Security Manager.
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Featured Courses
Provides the conceptual, practical, technological, and theoretical foundations of information security and integrity in the context of the fields and professions of communication, advertising, public relations, journalism, media, and information sciences. Introduces students to topics such as information and data security, information integrity, information security threats and vulnerabilities, information security management, misinformation, and disinformation.
Designed for students with backgrounds in communication, advertising, public relations, journalism, media, information sciences, and allied disciplines. It provides opportunities to develop skills and knowledge for understanding, developing, evaluating, and implementing effective policies, governance frameworks, and ethical guidelines for information security and integrity. The topics covered include ethics, accountability, bias, provenance, confidential information, intellectual property, electronic communication, compliance, audit, and legal and governance issues related to privacy and information security.
Examination of social influence theory and practice. In-depth treatment of intentional, message-driven attitude and behavior change.
Explore the history and evolution of mis-, dis-, and malinformation and examine how information manipulation shapes today’s digital landscape. Students investigate the roles of technology, design, human psychology, and institutions in how problematic content is created, amplified, and detected. Topics include generative AI, bots and social networks, platform design, automated detection, cognitive biases, misinformation, influence operations, and national security.
