Welcome! Thank you for your interest in learning more about CSCI 2999A Cybersecurity Management Within Business, Government, and Non-Profit Organizations.
This course is one of the required courses for 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.
This class places students in the shoes of decision-makers working in business, government, and non-profit sectors so that they can gain experience grappling with real-world problems through thought exercises and thoughtful reflection. Coursework and content for the class are designed to strengthen students' skills as both cybersecurity practitioners and leaders. By examining real events that organizations have faced, students will practice and refine their ability to evaluate the challenges that arise for organizational leaders.
Note for Current Brown University Students
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.
Fall 2025 Registration Updates
Students interested in enrolling in either section of the course will need to request an override via CAB. Please share your interest in enrolling in the course, your class year and concentration, any prerequisite courses you've taken, and any special circumstances in your CAB override request. If you have not taken any of the prerequisite courses, please share any cybersecurity coursework you've completed or any professional experiences you've had. 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. Please note the prerequisite information given below. 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 in Section 1 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.
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. Please note the prerequisite information given below. 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. Students in Section 2 will have at least one required assignment that must be completed verbally. 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.
The Timing of Override Approvals
A limited number of overrides will be approved during the preregistration period in Spring 2025. However, if your override is not approved at that time, you still have an opportunity to join the class because requests will be evaluated again when Fall 2025 registration begins at the start of the fall semester. Override requests made in Spring 2025 will remain active for review at the start of the fall semester. Once you make one request, you do not need to make an additional one. If you do not complete registration for the course within 24 hours of receiving your override, you may lose it and it will be given to another student.
Prerequisites for 2999A
Successful completion of any one of the following courses:
CSCI 1360 Human Factors in Cybersecurity
CSCI 1650 Software Security and Exploitation
CSCI 1660: Computer Systems Security
CSCI 1805 Computers, Freedom and Privacy
CSCI 1800 Cybersecurity and International Relations
CSCI 1860 Cybersecurity Law and Policy
CSCI 2660: Computer Systems Security
Alternatively, enrollment as a student in the ScM in Cybersecurity, the ScM in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, the ScM in Computer Science, or the PhD in Computer Science programs bypasses the requirement for taking one of the prerequisite courses listed above. Other students will be considered and admitted on a case by case basis based on their previous coursework, degree program, and professional experience. Please note that meeting the prerequisite or being in an eligible program does not guarantee admission to the class.
