​​De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) is set to launch a new four-year bachelor degree program in cybersecurity which will transform the critical infrastructure in online and offline spaces. According to Ricson Singson Que, current Cybersecurity Consultant and the former IT Director of Benilde, the College created the program to redefine the usual Computer Science and Information Technology courses in the Philippines.

The curriculum of the degree program adheres to the National Institute of Standards and Technology Framework (NIST) and National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Framework (NICE) which aims to address the landscape of threat and even out cyberwar in the age of digitalization. 

Benilde previously launched an Executive Diploma Program in Cybersecurity under the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPaCE), the academic flagship for program certification in the College. Since 2016, the College has been preparing to introduce Cybersecurity as an official undergraduate degree program under the School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT). 

“Cybersecurity is a whole spectrum [...] Anyone from any course can go into that profession. However, the core knowledge and core competencies are lacking and we [in Benilde] aim to do something [with the high demand from the industry],” Que said.

“The real part of the program study is to come up with a bachelor's degree and eventually a master’s and a PhD,” he added. 

As Benilde developed the core curriculum for cybersecurity, it was also benchmarked in La Salle Schools. Seeking to solely focus on the foundation of cybersecurity, the Academic Council and the Board of Trustees agreed to launch it as a four-year degree program after its successful pilot certification program in SPaCE. 

Although there is a big difference between the diploma program and bachelor's degree, such as scope, timeline, and curriculum, it does not compete with each other because they have different markets to target and competencies to build. 

Emphasizing on the importance of cybersecurity as an emerging discipline in the age of digital technology, Caroline Tabajonda, current Director of SPaCE, mentioned that Cybersecurity as a degree program is Benilde’s response in adapting to the market demands of new digital infrastructures. In general, the degree program is an answer to support the current international trends and global demand.

“The value of our degree would not only change the tide, but would educate people who will enter the other side. We don't want our talents to go to the dark side. We will develop them with strong value-formation inside. We are applying the same standards and technology [in the degree curriculum] that we use across the globe,” Mr. Que highlighted.

He also mentioned that among all schools, Benilde has been working and digitally transforming since 2014. Hence, it is more than ready to institutionalize such courses given that it offers hybrid classes and has a digital forensic design for its laboratories.

“The learning management of Benilde is very resilient. It's our edge; the [Benilde] management system can adapt,” Ms. Tabajonda added regarding Benilde’s competency and qualification in launching the degree program.

"The discipline applies to all inequalities [...] [Hence] the program in itself has a native non-discriminatory development. There are no exceptions," Mr. Que further elaborated. 

According to the World Bank, security in digital technology remains a pressing concern especially with the current political climate. This means that fostering a safe cyberspace and digitalization would require digital transformation as a strategy to ensure that. Reiterating what Mr. Que said, everyone is exposed to such threats, hence enhancing security both online and offline is everyone's responsibility. 

In a Facebook post, Mr. Que publicly announced that the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program is now accepting applicants for the first term of Academic Year 2021-2022. To learn more about the Cybersecurity degree program and further announcements on enrollment, you may visit the official admission website and their official Facebook page. You may also contact admissions@benilde.edu.ph.