[Zweig]

Hello,

I plan to apply for US CS PhD programs in some years. I'm a foreign national and my knoweldge in US universities is poor. Obviously, I've already heard about MIT, Stanford, Caltech and so on, but after visiting their respective websites, I noticed none of them have a strong PhD program in Security, in the broad sense of the word : theoretical and applied cryptography, network security, wireless security etc ... Even if I'm interested in cryptanalysis, I want to get a broad knoweldge of maximum subfields of Security, as well as theoretical side than the applied one.

Before coming here, I used Google to find a maximum of top-notch US Security PhD program, in vain. In fact, I only found University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (which is sponsored by the NSA) and Georgia Tech. What else ?

Obviously, as I'm interested in computer science research, I expect universities I'm looking for have as well as strong courses program than strong labs.

Thank you in advance for your eventual help.

Best regards.

[modi123_1]

The University of Nebraska - Omaha has a pretty kick ass information assurance program.. the undegrade is quite popular and the masters is well regarded.

[Zweig]

Thanks for your fast answer ! What's the difference between "information assurance" and "security" ?

[modi123_1]

You can search that up in any engine of choice.. read up on it.

[Zweig]

Yep, I've just done it.

I also found this webpage : http://www.nsa.gov/i...utions.shtml#pr

[Dogstopper]

Georgia Tech has a fantastic security program. I quote from their MS page:

http://www.scs.gatec...infosecdistance

Quote

Georgia Tech has been selected by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance. Today, there are only about 88 college institutions with this accreditation.

The Ph.D. is simply at a higher level. Here's some information for you:
http://www.cc.gatech...l/phdcs/program

One of the top CS schools in the nation, so you're not losing out there.

[Zweig]

Yep, I know about GeogiaTech, thanks !

In fact, I'm highly interested in San Jose State university because of Mark Stramp, a crypto-mathematician who worked at the NSA during 7 years. I guess he's strong as hell. Plus, I had a look on his Research interests's page, and it totally suits to me ! Unfortunately, CS Master's degree at SJS university seems to be really poor, that's a pity ...

[blackcompe]

There isn't a ranking in Computer Security, so there really is no "top security programs" literature. This is about the closest thing I've found, and for all I know they choose these schools out of hat. On the other hand, they're all top programs, so it's probably likely they're good. GTech is a top-ranked school, so that's a no-brainer. I also want to throw CMU out there. IMO, NSA IA accreditation is a must, but really doesn't say much in regards as to what's a top program; their are plenty of tier-two universities that are accredited. Most of what I've found is people advocating a particular program.

This post has been edited by blackcompe: 22 July 2012 - 04:41 PM