In April, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the Naveen Jindal School of Management’s proposal for a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Risk Management. The program is set to launch in fall 2025.
The degree was created in response to market demands for a workforce able to bridge technical expertise and business strategy.
Dr. Steven Haynes, an assistant professor of practice in the Jindal School’s Finance and Managerial Economics Area, said the increasing occurrence of cybersecurity threats, the growing complexity of organizational risk environments, and the widening gap between technical specialists and business leaders prompted Jindal School leadership to create the program.
“Industry leaders have consistently highlighted the need for graduates who understand technical threats, navigate regulatory requirements, manage enterprise risks and support organizational resilience,” Haynes said. “This program was designed to meet that demand by producing graduates proficient in the technical foundations and the strategic aspects of cybersecurity and risk management.”
Curriculum Focus
Haynes said the program’s curriculum will equip its graduates with a balanced and interdisciplinary skill set, including foundational technical skills like basic coding, systems architecture, and cybersecurity frameworks. Students will also gain business management skills such as risk assessment and management techniques, enterprise risk management (ERM), operational risk, compliance, and governance practices.
Governance, risk, and compliance skills will also be taught, including cybersecurity policy and regulatory knowledge, covering standards like NIST, ISO 27001, GDPR, and emerging regulations.
“Complex problem solving and critical thinking are essential for addressing evolving and ambiguous cyber and organizational risks,” Haynes said. “We will teach these, along with communication, and leadership skills. This knowledge will enable graduates to present risk findings effectively, influence decision-makers, and support business continuity. In addition, we will teach the ethical and legal understanding of cybersecurity issues, which will foster responsible and sustainable cybersecurity practices.”
A Unique Positioning
The Jindal School’s new program is uniquely situated at the crossroads of technology and business, Haynes said.
“While many programs tend to be either heavily technical or purely policy-focused, our curriculum is intentionally integrated, ensuring that students gain hands-on technical proficiency while also mastering organizational and strategic risk management,” he said. “They learn to translate technical cybersecurity risks into business impacts, a critical but often missing skill in the workforce.”
Faculty with extensive academic and industry backgrounds across cybersecurity, risk management, and corporate governance will lead the courses, Haynes said.
“Students in the program will also benefit from the school’s strong corporate partnerships in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, providing them with internships, mentorships, and employment opportunities,” he said.
Beyond the classroom, students will have numerous experiential learning opportunities.
“Our students will have experiential learning opportunities such as case studies, risk simulations, cybersecurity exercises, and real-world consulting projects,” Haynes said.
Career Preparation
Graduates of the program will be prepared for a wide range of career paths, including cybersecurity analyst; risk-management specialist; information security risk consultant; governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) analyst; cyber risk underwriter; business continuity and resilience manager; security awareness and training specialist; regulatory compliance analyst; and enterprise risk analyst.
“They will be well-suited for positions in corporate security departments, consulting firms, financial institutions, insurance companies, and government agencies due to their hybrid technical and strategic skill set,” Haynes said.
Since the cybersecurity and risk management landscape continually evolves, Haynes added, the program is designed to adapt.
“Students will develop lifelong learning skills — including adaptability, cross-disciplinary thinking, and ethical reasoning,” he said. “These skills will prepare them for emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and new threat environments.”
Haynes said that because businesses benefit from diverse perspectives, he encourages students from various backgrounds to enroll so they can bring their unique viewpoints to solving business problems.
Leadership Perspective
Beyond meeting industry demand, Jindal School leaders see the program as part of a broader effort to position students for success in a changing business world.
Dr. Hasan Pirkul, Caruth Chair and Jindal School dean, said the School remains committed to preparing students for success in today’s technology-driven economy.
“We created the Cybersecurity and Risk Management program to offer an innovative, interdisciplinary education that responds to the evolving needs of industry — particularly the increasing importance of managing risk,” he said. “By bridging technology and strategic management, this program reflects our broader commitment to developing graduates who can solve complex problems and lead organizations to become more resilient with every passing day.”
Strengthening Undergraduate Programs
Dr. Dawn Owens, the Jindal School’s undergraduate dean, said the new degree aligns with the Jindal School’s vision and strengthens its undergraduate offerings.
“JSOM is committed to offering innovative, high-quality undergraduate programs that equip students with practical, in-demand skills,” she said. “This new major directly supports that commitment by blending technical cybersecurity knowledge with essential business principles, fostering graduates who understand cyber and risk to strategically manage it within organizations.”
Owens said the degree will help deepen the school’s relationships with industry partners.
“It enhances the school’s portfolio of programs by providing a multidisciplinary education that bridges business, technology, and risk management — a combination highly sought after by employers,” she said. “In addition, the program will deepen JSOM’s industry connections by partnering with companies in cybersecurity, consulting, financial services, and beyond to offer internships, capstone projects, guest lectures, and recruitment opportunities. These relationships will ensure that students are not only academically prepared but also career-ready, further fostering JSOM’s reputation as a leader in management education.”
