UE to offer criminology programs majoring in cybersecurity

The University of the East (UE) will offer a criminology undergraduate degree program specializing in cybersecurity starting academic year 2024-2025.

The four-year program will be offered at the UE Caloocan campus beginning August 2024, the university said in a statement Tuesday.

Included in the program are cybersecurity specialization courses such as cyberspace and cybersecurity, information assurance and security, network and data communication protocols, digital forensics, machine learning in security, and security penetration testing and audit.

"We look forward to producing highly competent and upright graduates who can deliver efficient services in crime prevention, crime detection and investigation, law enforcement, public safety and criminological research," said Michelle Concepcion, dean of the UE College of Arts and Sciences.

"In these times when digital and cyberthreats and attacks have become increasingly rampant, we hope to arm our aspiring criminology students with the knowledge and know-how to fend off and foil these technology-aided crimes whether perpetuated globally or locally," she added.

The university said that criminology graduates are in high demand due to a "heightened need" for security workers in various fields. The Philippine National Police (PNP), UE noted, has vowed to improve its capability to respond to cybercrimes and digital scams.

Through the degree program, the university seeks to help the country produce "highly equipped professionals who can anticipate and address new and complex forms of criminality."

Graduates of criminology specializing in cybersecurity, UE added, may also pursue career options in business continuity management and security management in the private sector, research, teaching, and security consultancies.

Earlier, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to address threats posed by cybercrime.

"Cybercriminals also prey on the innocence of our young, by stealing their dignity, and the vulnerabilities of our seniors, who are defrauded of their life savings," he said in a speech during the oath-taking ceremony of star ranking PNP officials. — VDV, GMA Integrated News