CSCI 1360: Human Factors in Cybersecurity is one of the courses required for the Policy Track of Brown's Master of Science in Cybersecurity program. The course is also available to students from the College, students from other master's programs, and PhD students--though the number of seats available to students outside the cybersecurity program varies each semester.
Beginning in Fall 2024, CSCI 1360 became a Writing-Designated (WRIT) Course for undergraduates.
The course examines the unique role that users play in being part of attack surfaces. A major goal of the course is to introduce students to the security mindset. The course explores topics like open source intelligence gathering, threat modeling, corporate security practices, and research design. Legal and business cybersecurity considerations are also an important aspect of the course.
Since the course was first offered, some class sessions each term have featured guest speakers with relevant industry expertise.
If you're a student at Brown and are interested in taking this course or are currently enrolled in it, please note that we will be utilizing a Canvas course website. This page shares basic information about the course for students at Brown as well as members of the public that might be interested in learning more about the CS Department's cybersecurity course offerings.
CSCI 1360 is not available as a capstone course.
What are the course's synchronous class sessions like?
Class sessions are highly interactive. Generally, a seminar style discussion is the foundation of the session. Lectures and case studies are sometimes used to frame the discussion. Other times, a guest speaker may join the session and disucssion is based on their visit as well as a question and answer session with the speaker.
Some class sessions also feature in-class group projects, thought exercises, and simulations where students are asked to provide analysis, conduct research, or reach a decision given a scenario.
All sessions are designed to give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and elevate their skills as cybersecurity professionals.
Fall 2025 Registration Updates
You may see a note in the CSCI 1360 course listing on Courses at Brown (CAB) which shares, "Enrollment limited to students in the Cybersecurity (SCM) program." This is an error. This course is open to students from throughout the university.
Students interested in enrolling in either section will need to request an override via CAB. Please share your interest in enrolling in the course, your class year and concentration or your graduate program, and any special circumstances, in your CAB override request. Please do not email Professor Zaldivar about overrides.
Section 1: This is the in-person section of the class. Students from throughout Brown, including students from the College, are eligible to register for this course and there are no prerequisites. This section has an attendance requirement. ScM in Cybersecurity students completing the residential program should register for this section and note in their override request on CAB that they are in the ScM in Cybersecurity's residential program.
Section 2: This is the online section of the class. This section is asynchronous. Students in Section 2 cannot attend the in-person class sessions. Students from throughout Brown, including students from the College, are eligible to register for this section of the course and there are no prerequisites. ScM in Cybersecurity students completing the program online should register for this section and note in their override request on CAB that they are in the ScM in Cybersecurity program.
