As cyber threats grow more complex, so does the demand for professionals who can think critically, act ethically and respond decisively. The Prescott Department of Cyber Intelligence and Security equips students with the tools to lead in one of the world’s fastest-evolving arenas.
Whether you're countering threats to national infrastructure, securing aviation networks or building predictive models to detect intrusions before they happen, you'll graduate prepared to safeguard critical systems across sectors. By joining our real-world makerspace, designing the world’s only aviation-focused Capture the Flag, building skills in our cyber lab and engaging with faculty with deep industry and government experience, you’ll gain more than technical skills — you’ll develop the judgment and resilience needed to thrive in high-stakes environments.
Both the bachelor’s and master’s programs are designed to meet industry and government needs. Our Bachelor of Science in Cyber Intelligence and Security is one of only eight in the nation to be accredited by the ABET-CAC under the new cybersecurity criteria and established as an NSA National Center of Academic Excellence.
Degrees and Programs
Understand how digital threats affect aviation, aerospace and national security. You’ll study network defense, threat analysis and system vulnerabilities to support safe, resilient operations across connected systems and infrastructure.
Our labs and facilities, such as our Cyber Lab, Global Security and Operations Center and Cyber Gym Makerspace, offer dynamic, hands-on environments where students practice real-world skills in cyber intelligence, threat analysis and security operations.
At the College of Business, Security and Intelligence, students thrive in a dynamic research environment, mentored by faculty who actively drive innovation.
Faculty at the College of Business, Security and Intelligence stand apart due to their diverse backgrounds, industry experience and research with a commitment to a comprehensive perspective on education.
Smaller classes, professors who’ve worked at places like the CIA, FBI, DOD and NASA, and classmates who are just as driven. It pushes you to take things seriously."
Brett Theuerkauf ('27), B.S. Cyber Intelligence and Security
Cybersecurity at Embry‑Riddle
Embry‑Riddle has spent more than a decade preparing students for careers in security, intelligence and safety — fields that demand sharp thinking and real-world readiness. See how expert faculty and immersive learning environments equip students to step into fast-moving, high-stakes careers.
Activities and Events
The College of Business, Security and Intelligence makes cyber defense a priority. There are many ways for students, faculty and others to learn more about cyber defense and how to apply it in our increasingly digital lives. Here you will find up-to-date information on cyber defense activities happening on or around our Prescott Campus, catch up on cyber defense news inside the College of Business, Security and Intelligence and around the globe, as well as find a comprehensive list of Community Resources available to everyone to help keep ahead of the curve on cyber defense.
Since 2019, the CIS department has been offering multiple unique capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions to local high school students called CyberAero on the Prescott Campus.
Since 2020, we have been offering the one-and-only aviation cyber CTF competition in the world at well-known international conferences such as AIAA, ACI Cyber Rodeo, Aviation ISAC and DEF CON events.
These competitions increase participants' cyber intelligence and security knowledge (e.g., password cracking, log analysis, computer forensics and much more) as well as knowledge about cybersecurity problems, solutions and challenges in aviation and aerospace!
Some of these CTF offerings are linked below:
The CIS department continuously offers CyberPatriot camps over the summer. These camps are open to students ages 14-18 (rising sophomore, junior or senior in high school) who are interested in learning about cybersecurity. During this week-long non-residential program you will:
Explore the many aspects of cybersecurity
Experience hands-on activities on the computer and network (real and virtual)
Attend mini lectures on the latest in cybersecurity
Meet other local students with interests in this area
Participate in a cyber "capture the flag" competition
Each week will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a one-hour break for lunch on campus. Cost includes: a Cyber Patriot Summer Camp T-shirt, lunch each day and access to software and computers.
Embry-Riddle is a Silver Sponsor of CyberPatriot and offers CyberPatriot scholarship opportunities for incoming cyber program students at the Prescott and Daytona Beach campuses.
The is a national youth cyber education program that now provides opportunities for K-12. The annual high school competition reaches thousands of schools and tens of thousands of qualified student prospects through their website and newsletters.
The is an annual convening that brings together industry, government, academia and students to advance research, education and workforce development in aviation and space cybersecurity. Building on prior workshops, the event focuses on cyber-physical resilience, operational realities and collaborative solutions for securing aircraft, air traffic control, airports, airlines, advanced air mobility and space
systems — while providing hands-on engagement opportunities for students, particularly NSF CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) scholars.
The workshop objectives include:
Convene aerospace stakeholders to share insights, lessons learned and advances in aviation and space cybersecurity
Identify priority research, technology and development directions, including education and workforce needs that cut across academia, industry and government
Deliver immersive, hands-on learning experiences, particularly for SFS scholars and students, through an aerospace-focused Capture-the-Flag (CTF) competition and interactive exercises
Strengthen understanding of emerging cyber and cyber-physical threats, their operational consequences and practical strategies for mitigation and resilience
Each year, the workshop evolves to reflect emerging threats, technologies and workforce realities, with increasing emphasis on cyber resilience, operational integration and translation of research into practice. A defining feature of the workshop is the integration of students alongside professionals through panels, research posters, collaboration exercises and a unique aviation-focused cybersecurity CTF.
