The Department of Networking, Security, and Systems Administration is committed to developing talented and motivated people of all backgrounds into successful professionals in networking, security, and system administration. We will strive to maintain an educational environment necessary to ensure the graduates of the undergraduate and graduate programs can embark on meaningful careers in networking, security, and systems administration. We value the individuality, commitment, and expectations of our students and faculty. In accordance, we pledge to meet or exceed their expectations through the continuation of the development of an outstanding curriculum in networking and system administration with a strong emphasis on security and information assurance..

Computer networking refers to the technology of interconnecting multiple computers so that information can flow among them. As the number of computers in the network scales up, the task becomes more difficult, involving design tradeoffs, performance considerations, and cost issues. Applied networking refers to the design, construction, operation, and security of computer networks using off-the-shelf components. It is not concerned with engineering theory or the development of complex, finished distributed systems. It is concerned, rather,with enabling such systems and ensuring the continued operation of the network infrastructure. Systems administration refers to the installation, configuration, operation,and security of a computer system. In modern practice, the focus is often on a server. It includes the specification and implementation of server hardware and software. System administration is also concerned with system security and the privacy of the information that the server maintains. In today's information-rich environment, servers exist in a network and often work together to perform a common function.