2008 Woodie Awards
New computer degree available
Former NYPD lieutenant John Otero is heading a new program at SJU.
Amanda Morales, Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: News
A new bachelor's program in Computer Security, led by former NYPD Lieutenant John Otero, was unveiled this September by the College of Professional Studies.
The program, which will enable students to learn how to prevent cyber-crime, is the first of its kind being offered in the New York metropolitan region, according to a university press release.
Offered as both a bachelor's and associate's degree, Computer Security allows for specialized studies in mathematics, business, telecommunications, cyber forensics, criminal justice, and criminalistic and corporate security.
Otero recently retired from his post as Commanding Officer of the NYPD's Computer Crime Squad to become a full-time associate professor at St. John's.
According to Dr. Ronald Fechter, Associate Professor and Chair of the Division of Computer Science, Mathematics, and Science, the decision to launch the new program came after the U.S. Bureau of Labor reported a 27 percent increase in computer science related jobs through 2014.
"Computer science is back, and computer security is one of the hottest specialties in the field-with information security spending a top priority in organizations," said Dr. Fechter. He cites an increase in computer related threats like identity theft hackers, predators and spam as the main reason for the employment surge.
He also notes that the need for computer security analysts and a lack of outsourcing has created competitiveness in a field where salaries are 10 to 15 percent higher than other computer science areas.
Dr. Fechter appointed Otero, who he calls "the most knowledgeable person in the field of cyber-crime study," to direct the new Computer Security program because as a member of the NYPD for more than 20 years, the former detective and Lieutenant has investigated every computer crime in New York City for the past five years, according to a university press release.
He and the 23 detectives he supervised on the Computer Crime Squad helped solve arson, rape, gambling, child exploitation, fraud, and prostitution cases, according to a university press release.
The program, which will enable students to learn how to prevent cyber-crime, is the first of its kind being offered in the New York metropolitan region, according to a university press release.
Offered as both a bachelor's and associate's degree, Computer Security allows for specialized studies in mathematics, business, telecommunications, cyber forensics, criminal justice, and criminalistic and corporate security.
Otero recently retired from his post as Commanding Officer of the NYPD's Computer Crime Squad to become a full-time associate professor at St. John's.
According to Dr. Ronald Fechter, Associate Professor and Chair of the Division of Computer Science, Mathematics, and Science, the decision to launch the new program came after the U.S. Bureau of Labor reported a 27 percent increase in computer science related jobs through 2014.
"Computer science is back, and computer security is one of the hottest specialties in the field-with information security spending a top priority in organizations," said Dr. Fechter. He cites an increase in computer related threats like identity theft hackers, predators and spam as the main reason for the employment surge.
He also notes that the need for computer security analysts and a lack of outsourcing has created competitiveness in a field where salaries are 10 to 15 percent higher than other computer science areas.
Dr. Fechter appointed Otero, who he calls "the most knowledgeable person in the field of cyber-crime study," to direct the new Computer Security program because as a member of the NYPD for more than 20 years, the former detective and Lieutenant has investigated every computer crime in New York City for the past five years, according to a university press release.
He and the 23 detectives he supervised on the Computer Crime Squad helped solve arson, rape, gambling, child exploitation, fraud, and prostitution cases, according to a university press release.
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