Businesses today thrive on culture.But if that culture does not include the protection of business information and data, the business will surely die.
Today’s most successful criminals don’t come at you wearing a ski mask or toting a gun. More often than not, they are sitting at a keyboard. Camouflaged by sophisticated programs, these criminals cast their net on phishing expeditions that to the victim look harmless and familiar. But once they have kidnapped your data, or the data of your customers, they ask for ransoms that would make 17th century pirates proud. Or, they sell your customer’s information to the highest bidder on the dark web.
Clearly, cybersecurity and data privacy should be primary business concerns. Fortunately, there is a resource right here in Cleveland that can help your executives understand the legal implications of this brave new world.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (C|M|LAW) at Cleveland State University has launched a fully online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in cybersecurity and data privacy that is designed for professionals who need to understand the significant legal and business risks posed by cybersecurity, data security and data privacy.
“We are very proud of C|M|LAW’s national leadership in legal technology education,” says C|M|LAW Dean Lee Fisher. “Professor Brian Ray, who directs our Center for Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection, worked closely with leading practitioners in the field to develop a program that will equip our graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter — or advance their careers — in these fast-growing fields.”
Cleveland-Marshall’s innovative online MLS program takes an integrated approach to education, preparing professionals to understand both the technical and business dimensions of cybersecurity and privacy as well as current laws and regulations. It is led by faculty from the Center for Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection at C|M|LAW, which was established in 2016.
Each year, the center hosts a national conference that convenes leaders from government, business, technology and law to address multidisciplinary strategic approaches to addressing cyber and privacy issues. This latest online program was a natural outgrowth of the center’s reputation, expertise and annual programming, such as the national conference, according to Ray.
“We realized there was a critical need for technologists and business executives to better understand the legal and strategic dimensions of effective cybersecurity,” says Ray. “Students in this program not only will receive the high-quality, innovative curriculum, but also have access to a professional network we’ve spent years building.”
The new MLS in cybersecurity and data privacy program is open to law students and business students, including business executives, information security professionals, IT managers, privacy and compliance professionals, tech entrepreneurs and paralegals. The precise business niche is still emerging.
“So the job titles are still in flux,” says Ray. “But there is an absolute need for technical and business professionals to understand the legal, policy and technical aspects of cybersecurity and data privacy. Our program teaches you all three of those, with an emphasis on legal and policy.”
So, if you’re already an IT professional and have aspirations to move up the chain in your organization to play either an executive or more strategic role, the program would be ideal, says Ray, because the program is not just about the technical aspects of cybersecurity nor the use of ransomware.
In most cases, you can restore a system, says Ray. However, hackers may have tapped personal information, which is protected under the law, and are selling it to the highest bidder on the dark web. Companies need to know how to protect themselves and their customers.
The Center for Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection at C|M|LAW is a valuable business resource for all of northern Ohio. There are a number of cybersecurity masters programs in the country, many of which are technically focused. There are a smaller number of MLS programs in cybersecurity nationwide.
“But we are one of only a handful of law schools that has a dedicated cybersecurity program, and are one of maybe two or three at most that require law students to get a technical background,” says Ray. “We have built an interdisciplinary approach with content that is tailored to lawyers and non-lawyers.”
This is the first completely online program from C|M|LAW . There are a number of online courses that are a part of the Juris Doctor program right now, “but this will be the first time you can get a degree from our school completely online,” says Ray.
The online MLS program is the latest offering in Cleveland-Marshall’s robust legal technology program. The Center already has earned national recognition for integrating law, business, technology and managerial approaches to address cybersecurity and privacy risks.
