Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1058156
10 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018 Cyberspace is an ever-expanding frontier, a global inter- connectedness offering countless positive benefits, but also considerable means for criminality. Taking a bite out of cybercrime, on a personal and professional level, is the primary goal behind two new courses being offered through Winnipeg's Booth University College, the only school in Canada to offer a financial crimes major in its business administration program. "Our financial crimes program looks at everything from fraud to corruption to terrorism financing and all of their elements," says Angela Davis, associate professor and program head. "We are adding cybersecurity and cyber intelligence courses this fall and winter to also focus on the perspective of the everyday user." Both courses are aimed at students with a non- technical background, offering insights into the risks associated with the common use of cyber-technology and ways to protect yourself from related perils, such as scams and hacking. Davis says the courses provide a more user-friendly approach than one might find in a typical university computer science program. "These courses go through everything from website and password safety to how to protect yourself from phishing expeditions and cyber-attacks," says Davis. "While these things may sound frightening, they are also an unfortunate reality in our world today. Being better educated really benefits everybody — the community and the individual." Booth University College is partnering with Cybint Solutions, an international company specializing in cybersecurity education, to offer the online courses to Booth UC students, business professionals and the general public, with no prerequisite necessary. "Considering the continual changes happening in schemes and fraud techniques, Cybint's team of experts will be constantly updating the course, as needed, which is really important as the landscape changes," says Davis. "The program uses a micro- learning technique, so each sub-section of the course is no more than five to eight minutes long, yet it covers all of the topics you would find in a university course." With remote access, students can work through the course at their own pace and on their own schedules, though there are certain achievement markers that must be attained in timely fashion. The prospective job market for qualified financial crimes specialists suggests this field of study can open the door to a variety of career opportunities in such areas as business, finance and law enforcement. "With online fraud affecting businesses and our personal lives almost daily, I think it is great for our business students to have this knowledge in their tool kits to prepare them as business leaders, in addition to helping them on a personal level," says Davis. "This is a hugely growing field for which it is expected there may soon be a shortage of qualified workers, so these courses are a good gateway to see if this is an area of professional interest for students or perhaps, the inspiration for a career change for others." Business administration is one of several degree programs offered at Booth UC, along with a popular social work program and arts studies in such varied areas as religion, psychology and film studies. With its history rooted in the principles of The Salvation Army, Booth UC reflects a Christian philosophy, but welcomes students of all faiths. Booth UC remains committed to providing "education for a better world." "We are an educational university institution, open to all and working to do some good in the world, whether it is preventing cybercrime or helping people through social work," says Davis. "We are open to students of any faith, or non-faith, background. We have an open admission policy and a very eclectic mix of students, which creates a great atmosphere in our classrooms because there are many different perspectives." For more information about Booth University College, visit boothuc.ca. ❚ BOOTH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE FINANCIAL CRIMES MAJOR A CANADIAN FIRST For the Free Press "Our financial crimes program looks at everything from fraud to corruption to terrorism financing and all of their elements..." Students listen as Angela Davis, associate professor and program head, teaches about cybersecurity and cyber intelligence at Booth University College. Photos by Jason Halstead — Angela Davis