Cyber Security Minor

Cyber Security Minor

Cyber Security

Minor

The Cyber Security minor emphasizes the study of the structure, behavior, and effective use of cyberspace in the presence of intelligent, adaptive, and evolving adversaries, both human and artificial.

Offered by Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.

Are you interested in hacking - the legal kind? Do you want to protect the Army (and the nation) from cyberattacks, data breaches, and digital espionage? If you’re excited by technology, security, and staying ahead of the threat, the Cyber Security minor at United States Military Academy (West Point) gives you the skills to become a leader in one of the most important areas of modern warfare.

What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is about protecting systems, data, and networks from digital attacks- whether from enemy nations, criminal hackers, or rogue insiders. The Cyber Security minor teaches cadets how to detect, defend against, and respond to cyber threats, blending technical knowledge with military strategy and ethical responsibility.

This minor is ideal for cadets from any major - whether they're studying engineering, management, law, or foreign languages - and want to strengthen their cyber awareness and digital defense skills. Secure the systems. Outsmart the threat. Lead the cyber fight. That’s what the Cyber Security minor at West Point is all about.

Why Choose the Cybersecurity Minor at USMA?

  • Relevant to Every Army Branch
    Whether in infantry, intelligence, aviation, or logistics, cyber threats affect soldiers' mission. This minor helps every officer understand how to protect their people and systems.
  • Pairs Well with Any Major
    Cadets don’t need to major in Computer Science or Cyber Science to study cybersecurity. This minor adds valuable skills to majors like International Affairs, Engineering, Law, Math, or Management.
  • Enhances Army Career Opportunities
    Officers with cybersecurity knowledge are highly sought after for Cyber Command, Information Warfare, Signal Corps, Intelligence, and more.
  • Future-Proof Your Leadership
    As the battlefield shifts toward cyberspace, USMA graduates will be equipped to lead in an era where digital defense is national defense.

What To Do With This Minor?

Cadets can pair this minor with their major to unlock exciting opportunities:

  • Serve in Army Cyber Command or Military Intelligence
  • Work in national security, cybersecurity, or intelligence analysis
  • Support digital operations for government agencies like the NSA or DHS
  • Build a civilian career in cybersecurity, tech, or cyber law
  • Prepare for grad school in cyber operations, computer science, or information security

Interested Cadets

Do you like solving puzzles, thinking like a hacker, or protecting systems from digital threats? The Cyber Security minor at West Point gives you the skills to understand, detect, and stop cyberattacks - while preparing you to lead in one of the most important fields in modern defense.

In today’s world, wars aren’t just fought on land, sea, and air - they’re fought in cyberspace. This minor gives you the technical knowledge and strategic mindset to help defend our nation in the digital realm.

Why Consider This Minor

If a cadet is interested in technology, national security, solving puzzles, or staying ahead of digital threats, the Cyber Security minor gives them an edge in one of the most high-demand, high-impact fields in the Army.

They don’t have to be a “tech genius” - just someone who wants to understand the risks, protect the mission, and lead in the world’s newest warfighting domain.

What Cadets Learn

Cyber Security is about protecting computers, networks, and data from attacks. In this minor, cadets study:

  • Cyber Threats – what attackers do, how they do it, and how to stop them
  • Network Security – how to protect digital systems and communication lines
  • Cryptography – using math and codes to keep information safe
  • Cyber Law and Policy – the rules and decisions that shape cyber warfare
  • Cyber Operations – offensive and defensive tactics in the cyber domain

They learn how to think like a defender and an attacker - because understanding both is key to staying one step ahead. Cadets also get hands-on experience in simulations, labs, and possibly national cyber competitions - learning how to outthink attackers and defend real-world systems.

Choice of Electives

Cadets can customize their path with exciting courses like:

  • Ethical Hacking – learn how to test systems by trying to break them (legally!)
  • Cyber Warfare Fundamentals – understand how nations fight in cyberspace
  • Cybersecurity Engineering – design and protect secure systems
  • Cryptography and Network Protocols – study the math behind secure communication
  • Cyber Policy and Strategy – explore the big-picture decisions shaping cyber defense

Learn More

Cadets in this minor will have the opportunity to participate in a number of academic clubs, honor societies, and summer internships as part of the Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program.

Opportunities to explore the depth and breadth of cyber abound within the Cyber Science program and EECS. Research and extracurriculars are primarily supported through the Cyber Research Center and include the Cadet Competitive Cyber Team (C3T), CyberTech, and myriad research opportunities.

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.