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 2026 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.
Please note the CAB feature noting the number of seats available in the course is not accurate for this course.
If you receive an override, please use it within 24 hours or you risk losing your seat in the course. Overrides expire to ensure that as many students interested in the course as possible are able to get a seat.
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.
Students enrolled in Section 1 of the course will be required to regularly participate and speak in class. The final grade in the course will partially be based on participation or other assignments requiring speaking and making presentations during class. These required assignments are designed to help students improve their public speaking, communications, and advocacy skills. Students will have required assignments that involve in-class writing and speaking in front of others. Assignments may also have additional verbal components. If you do not feel comfortable with public speaking and are not interested in improving your public speaking skills, then this course may not be a good fit for you. Assignments for the course are currently under development and are subject to modification.
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.
There are a limited number of seats for each section. If you are not granted an override right away, please note that you will be on the waitlist through the first week of the semester if the course remains in your CAB cart. If you remove the course from your cart, this will be interpreted as an indication that you are no longer interested in the course, your override request will be denied, and you will be removed from the waitlist.
