Elia Enid Burgos-Sosa moved to Ohio from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. “In that move,” Elia says, “I was looking to expand my career opportunities. I’ve been an attorney for 18 years, and for 16 of those years, I’ve practiced only criminal law. It’s a good thing to specialize in a specific area. However, my previous focus will limit my opportunities once I am admitted to the practice here in Ohio.”
“By enrolling in the MLS in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy,” Elia continues, ”I can jump-start my exposure to the Ohio legal system and get ready to request admission to the profession, confident that I will be prepared. Simultaneously, by learning a new field, I can branch out from criminal law or complement it.”
A Cybersecurity Degree without Overwhelming Technical Jargon
Elia chose a master’s degree in cybersecurity rather than a degree such as an LLM. She did this because of the advancement opportunities it will provide. The choice made sense, she says, despite her lack of professional experience in technology. “I had thought I wouldn’t dream about starting a master’s degree in cybersecurity at this stage in my life because I am the least tech-savvy of all my classmates! I am an attorney. Law is where I am most comfortable. However, I needed a degree to learn the basics of cybersecurity without overwhelming technical jargon.”
“This MLS degree,” Elia continues, “has the right balance for me.” She says: “The program gives me the tools to enhance my legal career to the point where now I can confidently talk about cybersecurity policies and safeguards for my client’s needs. To provide an adequate defense, every attorney needs to learn how to navigate the intricacies of cybersecurity and protect their client’s data. This program takes my knowledge and career to another level.”
“The law professors teach us how, with the proper legal framework, cybersecurity and data privacy can be a tool for progress,” says Elia. “This is a rigorous degree and the professor’s eminences in their fields. They have vast experience in cybersecurity and will lead you every step of the way if you are not an expert in the matter.”
Flexibility of an Online Program
Elia currently works as a community outreach coordinator for the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. “I have a full-time job that requires me to be out in the community at hours where I might have been at school,” she says. “The flexibility of this program allows me to be productive, serve my community, and improve my future. The convenience of fully online classes convinced me that this program is the right fit. I also appreciate that the curriculum does not require excessive spending on books.”
Coursework Is Immediately Applicable to Elia’s Current Role
“I am an Elections Official,” says Elia, “and we must be at the forefront of cybersecurity policies to guarantee safe elections for all Ohioans. I can directly apply what I learn in the program to my current role.”
“This degree,” Elia says, “helps me approach every decision I make at my job with our systems’ security, social media, and voter data.” She continues: “Currently, I am working on a new social media policy where I have put to good use what I’ve learned about risk assessments and policy writing. Since I started this degree, I am also working on a security committee on behalf of my department. The Board of Elections has been very supportive of my decision to come back to school. It is definitively opening doors to new opportunities and experiences.”
“I know this was a smart investment and will further my career,” Elia says. “Cybersecurity and data privacy are versatile disciplines that touch every aspect of our lives.”
CSU College of Law’s Online Master of Legal Studies in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
CSU College of Law’s innovative online Master of Legal Studies in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy prepares legal professionals in the field of cybersecurity. It helps them understand the technical and business dimensions of cybersecurity and privacy as well as current laws and regulations.
This flexible online MLS program is led by faculty from the Center for Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection at Cleveland State University College of Law and other leading practitioners in the field. Also, the curriculum is grounded in relevant, real-world experience.
The program is part-time and fully online. It equips graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills to enter the field. Also, it helps professionals advance in the fast-growing data privacy and cybersecurity fields. Fill out the form on our website to learn more about the online MLS Program.
