The specialty "Information Security" appeared in Russian universities about 15 years ago - its importance and popularity are constantly increasing due to the development of digital and telecommunication technologies. In business, economics, politics, the military and society, computer and information security is a critical area of ​​knowledge. The development of the Internet and related technologies and its penetration into almost every aspect of society, business and government opens up great opportunities for cybercriminals in their quest to disrupt the usual way of life. The task of educational programs in information security is to prepare modern specialists in the field of IT and security for operations in cyberspace for a wide variety of sectors of economics and management.

In 2103, all world spending on information security exceeded 25 billion, and every year this figure is growing by 7%.
Today we can distinguish three main areas in the block of specialties “Information Security”:

1) recognition and access control (solutions for identifying users in the system and controlling their access to system resources),
2) content protection and threat management (development of products against viruses, spyware, spam, hackers and unauthorized access or use of confidential information),
3) protection of systems sensitive to external factors (a complex set of solutions that allow companies to determine, interpret and develop a risk strategy).

The need for the development, implementation and management of information security solutions will grow from year to year. This may include the ability to work with monitoring technologies (for example, tracking the emergence of hacker programs), content classification, content filters and data loss prevention tools.

All these prerequisites are due to rapid changes in the work of companies - increased mobility, focus on the consumer, the development of cloud and social types of communications. All this brings customers, employees, suppliers, partners and other parties even closer together, which negatively affects the vulnerability of companies to cyber attacks.

Theory

Regardless of what specialization is chosen within the “Information Security” direction, in the undergraduate program students are given general courses in computer science and methods and methods of information security. Further, depending on the university and curriculum, students receive more specialized knowledge. In the master's program you have the opportunity to choose areas of specialization.

In a typical bachelor's degree program in information or computer security, students receive multidisciplinary training in their field, which also includes cryptography, hardware security, and software security. Sometimes these same courses are included in the program. By the way, information security is one of the most popular.

Bachelor's studies in the field of Information Security last 4 years and include a whole range of scientific and practical knowledge about computer, automated, information and telecommunication systems. Students learn the basics of ensuring information security of systems or system objects.

Sometimes such programs have some additional focus in accordance with the specifics of the university. For example, at the Moscow State Linguistic University they provide excellent language training, which will later be very useful for working in a large international company. At the Moscow State Industrial University, the program is structured with an emphasis on the automotive industry. Program "Economic Security" at REU named after. G.V. Plekhanov also almost perfectly combines these two sought-after areas of knowledge. The program with the same name at the Faculty of National Security of RANEPA is also interesting.
Students are also taught programming in several languages ​​such as C, JAVA, PHP, etc., legal aspects of information security and much more.

Job

It is unnecessary to talk about the practical orientation and demand for information security specialists. Such specialists will probably never be left without work. Graduates of the bachelor's degree in information security ensure the protection of information of communication facilities, telecommunications, satellites, etc.

Admission

The core exam for admission to the Information Security specialty is mathematics. In addition to the Unified State Exam in this subject and in the Russian language, universities usually require another exam - physics or computer science and ICT.

Universities and directions

Russian universities offer two main undergraduate programs - “Information Security” itself (MTUSI, MSLU, RGSU, MGIU, MAI, MGUPI, MEPhI, RGGU, MGUGK, Financial University, MSPU, MESI, MIET, MPEI, MFUA), as well as “Computer security" (National Research University "Higher School of Economics", a division of MIEM, MSTU named after N.E. Bauman, Academy of the Federal Security Service, Moscow Federal Law Academy). There are also narrower specializations, for example, “Security of information technologies in law enforcement” (RGSU, MAI, MGUPI, MEPhI, MFYuA), “Information security of telecommunication systems” (MTUSI, MGUPI, Academy of the Federal Security Service), “Information security of automated systems "(MSTU named after N.E. Bauman, MGIU, MGUPI) and "Information and analytical security systems" (MGUPI, MEPhI, Academy of the Federal Security Service), "Economic security" (RGSU, MEPhI, REU named after G.V. Plekhanov, RANEPA (Faculty of National Security), MAMI, MFUA). In almost all of these universities you can also get

For admission, the Unified State Examination is accepted in mathematics as a core subject, Russian language, and physics or computer science and ICT to choose from.

The passing score, according to a survey conducted by the National Research University Higher School of Economics and the analytical department of the RAEC, the average passing score of the Unified State Exam in the regions varies slightly, and differs significantly between different information security specialties.

The maximum passing score in universities varies from 45 to 86.

You can choose a specific specialty, taking into account the nuances and specifics of the areas: specialty 10.03.01 “Information Security” - here they provide basic knowledge on the installation and operation of information security system components.

• Specialty code - you can gain applied skills in protecting technical equipment.
• The specialty code provides the skill to identify channels of information leaks and prevent cases.
• The specialty code is the development of threat models for databases and the creation of programs to protect them.
• The specialty code is programming and security of operational, tax, financial, budget systems.

You can study full-time, having completed 4 years of training to become a specialist. There are master's and postgraduate courses in some information security specialties. Part-time study is not available everywhere; its duration varies from one university to another. In secondary educational institutions, the passing score is significantly lower, but the choice of specialties is narrow.

Specialty information security - universities and colleges

Which universities offer a major in information security?

Training of specialists in Russia is carried out in all regions of the country. Their distribution, however, is uneven.

The largest number of IT specialties is in USATU, there are 19 of them. Next comes MSTU. N.E. Bauman and SPbNIU ITMO. In general, get an education in the field of information security at 145 universities in Russia. More than 30% of them are located in the Central Federal District.

Specialty information security - Moscow universities:

1. Academy of the FSB of Russia
2. MFYUA
3. Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Moscow State Linguistic University
4. Financial University, Financial University
5. Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "National Research University "MPEI"
6. MIIGAiK
7. Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Moscow State Engineering University (MAMI)", University of Mechanical Engineering (MAMI), University of Mechanical Engineering
8. National Research University "MIET"; National Research University MIET; MIET
9. JSC "ITMiVT"
10. NRNU MEPhI
11. Academy of the State Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia
12. MSTU GA
13. Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education RGAU-MSHA named after K.A. Timiryazeva
14. Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Russian State Geological Prospecting University named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze", MGRI - RGGRU
15. MTUSI
16. MSTU im. N.E. Bauman
17. Military Academy of the Strategic Missile Forces named after Peter the Great or VA Strategic Missile Forces
18. Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia named after V.Ya. Kikotya, Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia named after V.Ya. Kikotya
19. MIREA, MGUPI

Students study multi-level security systems Cisco and Oracle, gain skills in working with specialized equipment that blocks information leaks, practice searching for hidden video cameras and radio bookmarks, blocking information transmitters using various complexes “Sonata”, “Shtora”, “Barkhan”.

Specialty information security - who to work for

Where to work as an information security major?

Work in the specialty of information security with the use of one’s knowledge and the realization of potential for both students and graduates can be offered in IT companies, government agencies, telecommunication system operators, as well as by participating in international tournaments. Major players in the IT market send head hunters to such events and subsequently make offers to the participants.

Grigory Bakunov, director of technology distribution at Yandex, and Dmitry Voloshin, director of the research and education department at Mail.ru Group, agree that there is a problem of staff shortages.

Cisco has launched a cybersecurity scholarship program in August 2016, in which it invested $10 million. It is designed to increase the number of specialists with the necessary training in this area. The program will be implemented jointly with the company’s authorized training partners, including many Russian universities.

According to the results of a survey conducted by APKIT and VTsIOM, only 13% of graduates of IT universities confirmed that education at a university can be applied in real work conditions. But, as Alexey Sokolov, Deputy Minister of Communications and Mass Media, said, the number of budget places has increased by 70% over 2 years, and it is planned to achieve a greater increase in the admission target figures.

There is hope that the quality of education in this area will also increase, although RAEC believes that, despite the increasingly active support of IT education by the country’s leadership, the problems of insufficient competence of IT specialists, the inertia of educational programs, and the incompetence of theoretical teachers are still relevant.

Every year, more and more often, when entering universities, children choose such a direction as “information security”. Currently, the demand for specialists in this field is growing. Therefore, the direction is really popular among applicants. Moscow universities are increasingly including “Information Security” in their list of educational programs. After all, she is in demand. This article will discuss these and provide information about the specialty “information security.”

About the direction

As part of the discipline, students study computer science in depth, in particular dealing with information security. After receiving a bachelor's degree, it is proposed to study this topic in more detail, specializing in certain aspects. In order to enter any university in this field, you must pass the following subjects in the Unified State Exam format: Russian language, specialized level of mathematics, computer science (sometimes replaced by physics or chemistry) and, if it is an international university, a foreign language.

Advantages

The specialty “information security” opens many doors, because its fundamentals are now applied in almost any field of activity. You can work in both public and private companies. Professionals identify the risks of network hacking and information leakage, ensure its protection, analyze malware, install and purchase new software, and maintain it. This position is considered the highest paid these days. Professionals receive up to 150 thousand rubles, and beginning specialists - from 30 thousand.

Thus, we can say that such a direction as “information security” is really gaining popularity. Where can I learn its basics?

MTUSI: basic

It was founded in 1921. Today, this Moscow university (“information security” is one of the areas in which specialists are trained here) is considered the best in the field of telecommunications. Many professors of the educational institution have written their works and are conducting developments in this area. Another plus of the university is that admission is quite easy. In order to become a student, you need to score 50-60 points for each Unified State Exam subject from the list. The Faculty of Information Technologies provides training in 11 programs, including training specialists in information security.

About training

The Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics offers a deferment from the army and obtaining a state diploma, which is a definite advantage. Students especially note social activities at the institute. They have created their own sports teams, which often take first places in competitions at various levels, and the KVN team, which recruits new students every year. Various creative competitions are held at the university to identify talents.

It is also worth mentioning the standard of living in the hostels. Rooms are provided to all nonresident students subject to availability. The hostel is new, modernized. The presence of a huge library collection is also good news; many students use scientific, specialized literature when writing their diploma, coursework, and various essays. The price of training also attracts many applicants to this university - it ranges from 100 to 200 thousand rubles per year.

FU under the Government of the Russian Federation: history

The university was opened in 1919 as the first financial university in Russia. The first 280 students graduated in 1923 as graduates in economics and finance. In subsequent years, the life of the university was either suspended or in full swing again. It acquired modern significance in 1991, receiving the status of an academy and leadership among other universities in Moscow. A year later, the academy began to be supported by the Government of the Russian Federation. In 2010-2011, a reorganization was carried out again, during which the educational institution was awarded the status of a university and colleges were added. Nowadays, the university is highly valued among applicants, since they have a much greater chance of working in the Government or in government agencies in general after graduating from the university. Since 2014, the educational institution annually receives one of the first places in the rankings of the best universities in the country, the CIS and Europe.

Admission

The highest priority and developing area of ​​the university is “information security”. Moscow universities are inferior to FU in this area. It is quite difficult to enter here - in each subject of the Unified State Exam you need to score 85-90 points to get a budget place (and there are 45 of them), for admission to a paid basis this threshold is reduced to 75-80 points.

Pros of training

But despite the high cost of education, the financial university under the Government of the Russian Federation has its advantages. “Information security” here is not a monotonous lecture, but interesting practical exercises in various structures, including government ones. This is a definite plus; education is based on the equality of students and teachers, defending one’s own interests and different theories, obtaining a compromise or something qualitatively new. Creativity is the basis for acquiring knowledge at this university.

It is also worth noting that students studying on a contractual basis are provided with a system of discounts if they have good and excellent grades. Thus, the cost of training is significantly reduced. Also, the financial university has a whole complex of dormitories, so every non-resident student is provided with a place. The educational institution implements a public catering system, that is, it has its own network of canteens and buffets in educational buildings and dormitories.

Any student can use the services of the institute’s sports and fitness complexes. These include gyms, swimming pools, open areas, gyms, and various sections. Work is underway to instill a healthy lifestyle and a love of sports.

MAI: basic

The institute is one of the best, according to reviews of students entering the specialty “information security”. provides information security training at the international level, so the cost of training here is 150-250 thousand rubles. There is the possibility of admission on a free basis - the faculty can provide 40 places. In order to get the coveted place and study for free, you need to score at least 80 points for each USE subject.

The Institute was founded in 1930, and already in 1945 - after the victory in the Great Patriotic War - it received the Order of Lenin, and after that it was repeatedly awarded with various other state awards. In 2009, the status of a university was received, and in 2015, MAI was merged with another technical university - MATI.

Benefits of training

“Where should I go to study information security?” - this is a question many applicants ask. MAI is a great option. It is the only educational institution in Russia where developments are carried out in aviation and rocket and space systems, management, and the field of IT technologies. The university often ranks first in rankings in neighboring countries. Foreigners study here and joint activities are carried out with foreign organizations and companies.

About 85 percent of MAI graduates work in the most famous companies in Russia and abroad; employers willingly offer excellent positions to former students of the educational institution. Also here is a program of continuous education, that is: secondary vocational education - bachelor's degree (specialty) - master's degree - postgraduate study - second higher education - retraining - advanced training. Not all universities in Moscow offer this. “Information Security” is one of the first multi-level training programs.

The university also provides social support to students. MAI has its own campus, which includes a complex of dormitories, various sports centers and educational buildings. There are public catering centers - cafes and buffets. MAI also has its own Palace of Culture, where various creative and other events are often held. All of them are designed to develop in students not only professional, but also other skills that are needed to become a full-fledged individual. So, there is its own KVN team, which participates in games not only between higher educational institutions, but also between regions.

Studying after college

• College of Entrepreneurship No. 11;
• MGKEIT;
• College of Communications No. 54;
• College at MEPhI.

It is much easier to enroll in a university majoring in information security after college. Moscow universities are much more willing to accept people who have received a secondary vocational education in this specialty, sometimes even without passing the Unified State Exam. But you need to find out more about these programs from the admissions committee of educational institutions.

Thus, the field of “information security” is really popular among applicants, as you can see by reading the article. All that remains is to choose a university to enroll in.

In 2005, in Krasnoyarsk, to obtain an education in the field of information security, it was possible to enter Krasnoyarsk State Technical University (now Siberian Federal University Polytechnic Institute) or Siberian State Aerospace University. I chose the latter, I was especially attracted by the huge rocket painted on the facade and the word “space” in the title. At Siberian State Agrarian University, in turn, we had to choose from two directions: 090105 “Comprehensive provision of information security of automated systems” and 090106 “Information security of telecommunication systems” (qualification in both cases - information security specialist), at the Polytechnic there was a specialty 090102 “Computer security” ( qualification - mathematician). Between “comprehensive” and “telecommunications” security, I chose the latter and did not regret it. The programs are completely different, our training was mainly devoted to studying the basics of communications in all its manifestations (radio, cellular, wired communications).

For five and a half years we built models of a communication channel, drew transmitters and receivers, calculated signal characteristics, and studied noise-resistant coding. And all this under the leadership of former military men (this has its own romance). For those who like physics, and especially the “oscillations and waves” section (probably the most difficult in the school curriculum), the specialty “Telecommunications Security” was fully suitable. Many of my friends and acquaintances studied at “Integrated Security” and we had some common classes, although their program, in my opinion, was more mundane. But it involved more work with computers and legislation. My husband graduated from Polytechnic University - they had a lot of mathematics (like we have physics).

What now?

Everything changed a couple of years ago and now at Siberian State Agrarian University you can study for a bachelor’s degree in 10.03.01 “Information Security” and a specialist in 10.05.02 “Information Security of Telecommunication Systems” (my specialty under a new name)(link) . SFU directions are indicated . In Tomsk they teach information security at TUSUR ( link ). I would like to note right away that the specialties are closed, which means that persons with citizenship of other countries (as well as dual citizenship) are not accepted.

Is it easy to learn?

I would say that studying is quite difficult, there is a lot of independent homework, coursework and standard work. I constantly had to calculate and count something. A lot of physics and mathematics. There weren’t many girls studying before, but now there are many more. In our group of about 27 people there were three girls. For those who believe in horoscopes, an interesting detail - all three had the zodiac sign of Scorpio, they say that there is a predisposition to technical sciences. Another interesting point is the number of gold and silver medalists - half of the group.

What do study and work have in common?

Unfortunately, most of the knowledge gained was not useful. The most useful thing was studying the legal and organizational foundations of information security as part of a six-month course. All computer security subjects were also useful, but telecommunications were not. At the university, from the second year I was engaged in scientific work and went to scientific seminars, it seems to me that they gave me more than all the subjects :) The rest of the knowledge I acquired from books, magazines, the Internet and industrial practice.

Is it difficult to find a job?

There are different opinions, but from my own experience and the experience of my acquaintances and friends, I can say that finding a job is difficult, but possible. I am already working in my fourth place and each time in my specialty. Moreover, the first and second jobs were still during my studies, so even with an incomplete higher education it is possible to find a job. Freelancing is difficult to find; after all, to perform work on technical information security, you need licenses that are given to the organization and it is very difficult to obtain them. But you can find a job in a company that provides information security services, then the salary will directly depend on the number of clients. If you want stability, it is better to become an information security specialist in production.

Wage

On average, it is lower than that of programmers and part-time work is more difficult to find. But usually higher than that of system administrators.

What does a specialist do?

There are a lot of areas of work, even with the same job title. Installing and configuring information security tools, writing instructions and regulations on information security, training users in safe working methods, working with cryptographic tools, investigating incidents and much more.

Minuses

I would consider the disadvantages:

• small selection of jobs (compared to programmers and other IT specialists);
• low salary, difficult part-time work;
• working with a lot of documentation.