Network Operations and Technology - Curriculum 386 (Res)
Program Officer
Brandon Holmes, LCDR, USN
Glasgow Hall East, Room E309
(831) 656-7980
brandon.holmes@nps.edu
Academic Associate
Dr. A. Mustafa Canan, Associate Professor
Information Sciences Department
Root Hall, Room 201H
(831) 656-2433, DSN 756-2433
mustafa.canan@nps.edu
Brief Overview
The Network Operations and Technology (NWOT) is an interdisciplinary, graduate-level, master's program integrating the study of military operations, decision making, information networks and systems, and information sciences.
The NWOT program is designed to provide the broad base of knowledge needed to assist in fighting and winning America’s wars in today’s networked environment. The program consists of a professional practice core of courses and specialization tracks of study in Information Domain Operations and Information Systems Management. The academic core consists of web services, network operations, enterprise strategies and policy, and managing process change. The specialization tracks are designed to provide students and opportunity to explore specific areas of interest to the Navy.
Requirements for Entry
A baccalaureate degree or the equivalent resulting in an academic profile code (APC) of at least 334 is required for direct acceptance into the program. Students not meeting the minimum APC may be considered for admission following review of their past academic performance.
Convenes
Summer
Program Length
Network Operations and Technology is a eight-quarter (24-month) course of study.
Degree
The Master of Science in Network Operations and Technology degree will be awarded after successful completion of an approved matrix of courses and research under the following guidelines:
- Completion of a minimum of 36 quarter-hours of core graduate course work, of which 12 quarter hours must be at the 4000 level.
- In addition to these 36 hours of core work, students must complete an approved specialization sequence of courses in one of the following areas:
- Decision Superiority
- Network Operations
- Information Systems Management
- Complete an acceptable thesis by the Chairman, Information Sciences Department.
Subspecialty
Completion of this program qualifies a Navy officer for the 6209P (proposed) subspecialty.
Core Course of Study
The following courses are core to the NWOT degree and are required for all tracks (JPME Optional):
| IS3200 | Enterprise Systems Analysis and Design | | 3 | 2 |
| IS3502 | Network Operations I | | 4 | 2 |
| CC3000 | Command and Control | | 4 | 0 |
| CY3200 | Cyberspace Operations Fundamentals | | 3 | 0 |
| SE3100 | Fundamentals of Systems Engineering | | 3 | 2 |
| IS3201 | Enterprise Database Management Systems | | 4 | 2 |
| CS3600 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | | 4 | 1 |
| OS3105 | Statistics for Technical Management | | 4 | 1 |
| IW3101 | Military Operations in the Information Environment | | 4 | 0 |
| CC4250 | Enterprise Architecture | | 4 | 0 |
| CY4700 | Defensive Cyberspace Operations | | 3 | 3 |
| IS3301 | Computer-Based Tools for Decision Support | | 3 | 2 |
| IS3330 | Research Methods for Information Sciences | | 3 | 0 |
| IS4505 | Wireless Networking | | 3 | 2 |
| IS4205 | Big Data Management, Architecture, and Applications | | 3 | 2 |
| CS3690 | Network Security | | 4 | 1 |
| IS4926 | Network Operating Centers | | 3 | 2 |
| IS4182 | Enterprise Information Systems Strategy and Policy | | 4 | 0 |
| MN3331 | Principles of Acquisition and Program Management | | 4 | 2 |
| CS4684 | Cyber Security Incident Response and Recovery | | 3 | 2 |
| CC4250 | Enterprise Architecture | | 4 | 0 |
| NW3230 | Strategy and War | | 4 | 2 |
| NW3275 | Joint Maritime Operations - part 1 | | 4 | 0 |
| NW3276 | Joint Maritime Operations - part 2 | | 2 | 2 |
| NW3285 | Theater Security Decision Making | | 4 | 0 |
| IS0810 | Thesis Research | | 0 | 8 |
IS0810: taken four times
In addition to the core courses students must complete one of two approved curriculum tracks consisting of the following courses (or their equivalent) as appropriate for each track:
Information Warfare Operations (IWO):
| IW3921 | Non-Kinetic Warfare | | 3 | 0 |
| SS3011 | Space Technology and Applications | | 3 | 0 |
| IS3450 | RF and EW Concepts in Networked Systems | | 4 | 0 |
| SS3613 | Military Satellite Communications | | 3 | 0 |
| ISCS01 | Elective Course Required | | V | 0 |
There are five elective blocks in this track. These should be completed based on the research interest and other sponsor requirements.
Recommended Elective courses for IWO track:
MN3309 Software Acquisition on Management for Defense
IS4300 Project Management for Enterprise Systems
CC4913 Policies and Problems in C2
IW4950 Advanced IW Systems
CY4710 Adversarial Cyberspace Operations
CY4400 Cyber Mission Planning
Information Systems Management (ISM):
| IS4220 | Technology Enabled Process Improvement | | 3 | 2 |
| IS4300 | Project Management for Enterprise Systems | | 3 | 2 |
| MN3309 | Software Acquisition Management for Defense Systems | | 3 | 2 |
| MN3309 | Software Acquisition Management for Defense Systems | | 3 | 2 |
| ISCS01 | Elective Course Required | | V | 0 |
There are five elective blocks in this track. These should be completed based on the research interest and other sponsor requirements.
Recommended Elective courses for IWO track:
MN3070 Fundamentals of cost Benefit Analysis
CY4410 Cyber Strategy and Policy
CC4913 Policies and Problems in C2
IW4950 Advanced IW Systems
CY4710 Adversarial Cyberspace Operations
CY4400 Cyber Mission Planning
Educational Skill Requirements (ESR)
Network Operations and Technology Program
Subspecialty Code: 6209P - (Proposed)
- Graduates will be able to identify and describe theories and concepts associated with data, information, information systems and networks (human and technological). They will demonstrate the ability to apply theories and technology associated with the physical information and cognitive domains to enhance and improve military operations and decision-making processes. Graduates will possess domain specific knowledge in Network Operations and the theories and technologies that enable networked military operations.
- The following common core knowledge areas will be common to all officers earning the 6209 subspecialty code:
- Computing and networking theory and applications to include cloud computing concepts, "Big Data" management and applications, RF-based and mobile telecommunications.
- Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (IA) theory, applications, and emerging capabilities.
- Network, enterprise, systems, and software architecture, policy, security, systems engineering and life-cycle management theory and applications.
- Information theory and data-centric implications in the military environment to include a survey of Information Management, and Data Science concepts and approaches.
- Analytical Decision Making and Process Change Management.
- Graduates will possess the skills to be able to
- Compare and evaluate existing, emerging and innovative technological and theoretical approaches to military operations in terms of how information is acquired, processed, stored, transmitted, managed, protected, organized, displayed, and ultimately used. This includes understanding the application of these areas as they apply to concepts of observation, orientation, decisions and ultimately actions in the battlespace.
- Evaluate and critique existing information policies, procedures and doctrine affecting military operations, and propose alternatives to seize and maintain information advantage. This includes security policies and those impacting the authenticity, availability, confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation of information.
- Develop systems engineering principles to ensure optional integration and operation of system of systems.
- Optimize information warfare system configurations to align with changes in the operational environment and understand the critical nature of information in military planning and operations. This includes concepts associated with cloud computing, big data, emerging media, and various transmission capabilities.
- Develop and manage the implementation of Information Assurance and computer security policies appropriate for the operational environment and current regulations.
- Conduct independent research. Students will demonstrate their ability to incorporate concepts learned in the Common Core and their Specialized Track by completing either a group research project or individual thesis. An individual or group (maximum 3 students) thesis research will be conducted in an area relevant to current Navy priorities and strategy. In addition to completing a written individual or group thesis, each student will demonstrate knowledge and skills through an oral presentation of their research.
- Specialized Tracks: Each graduate will complete courses related to one of two specialized areas of interest to Network Operations and Technology: Information Warfare Operations and Information Systems Management.
- Information Warfare Operations (IWO) Track: This track focuses on developing skills needed to assure effective maritime command and control, battlespace awareness and integrated fires across the full spectrum of maritime warfare. Emphasis will be on the mastery of data, information, knowledge and insights into creating an information environment conducive to generating high quality decisions. This will include knowledge of RF spectrum utilization in all military environments and phases of operation; unmanned, autonomous and unattended sensors and platforms; and industrial control systems. This track includes a classified advanced course designed to integrate concepts of information warfare and IW systems. Graduates of the IWO track will be able to relate existing concepts of operational art, information theories and information systems technologies to current and emerging military problem sets. To this end, graduates will demonstrate the ability to:
- Identify elements of Assured C2 and identify means to achieving Assured C2 throughout the Navy. This includes an understanding of the constituent components (e.g., resources, requirements, capabilities, governance, tactics, techniques and procedures) that must be marshaled and aligned with doctrine, organizational structure, training, material, logistics, personnel and facilities to achieve optimal effect.
- Optimize information/C2 systems configurations to align with emergent and anticipated changes in the operational environment to support decision maker needs including satellite and space communications systems, Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), and space-based sensing capabilities and applications.
- Acquire knowledge for conducting strategic, operational and tactical planning for Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO).
- Identify resilient C2 configuration plans to cope with natural and human-induced changes in communication channel capacity and the information environment in general. These changes include but are not limited to anti-access/area denial situations, emission control and Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW) requirements, satellite loss and/or degradation, intruded, degraded or compromised networks (to include – Denied Disconnected, Intermittent and Limited (D-DIL) bandwidth environments), varied terrestrial, celestial and meteorological environments.
- Evaluate ship, shore, airborne, expeditionary, National information warfare capabilities (to include DoD Information Networks (DODIN)), Radio Frequency (RF) theory, and electromagnetic spectrum usage and protection.
- Assess emerging Information Technology capabilities to include a survey of advanced sensing, computer vision, robotics, autonomous systems, industrial and control systems networks, and machine learning.
- Information Systems Management (ISM) Track: This track focuses on the systems engineering, acquisition and program management of Information Technology (IT) in support of sustainment to global and collaborative military operations while accounting for concepts and technologies used to achieve confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity for information processed across networks. Students will examine modern industry trends, human factors, methods/policies, enterprise investment strategies, information security and risk management considerations, system analysis, analytics, and design as they apply to information systems. Graduates will understand how to develop appropriate technical and acquisition plans and policies, perform financial, cost-benefit and trade-off analyses, and execute required lifecycle planning, programming, and budgeting actions for an IT enterprise that supports National Security Strategy. To this end, graduates will demonstrate the ability to:
- Plan and manage an information technology project/program including required planning, programming and budgeting actions. Understand how to exploit technology advantages in a network-centric environment to achieve operational objectives.
- Effectively manage information system assets through a thorough understanding of systems engineering, managerial concepts, evaluation techniques, systems analysis and design, which involves adapting to technological, organizational, and economic changes.
Program Sponsor and ESR Approval Authority
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance/Director of Naval Intelligence OPNAV (N2/N6). May 2017.