BS Computer Information Systems

Advances in digital technology have made many processes faster and more convenient, but they've also made it easier for criminals to exploit the population most vulnerable to cyber attacks — the elderly.

To address this issue, computer information systems majors Austin Kuppek ’19, Steve Koch ’19 and Vincent Deriu ’19 taught patrons at the Wallingford Senior Center in Connecticut how to avoid — and recover from — the most common types of cyber fraud.

The special course covered phishing scams, ransomware attacks and other predatory tactics meant to fool victims into giving up their Social Security numbers and other highly sensitive information. It taught attendees how to recognize suspicious emails and websites as well ads how to use verification services and update their anti-virus software.

In the course’s most important segment, Deriu provided step-by-step instructions of what to do if their identities became compromised, from alerting police to filing a statement with a credit bureau to setting up an account with a credit monitoring service.

The course was a big success and gave Deriu and his classmates the chance to represent Quinnipiac while raising awareness and key points about cybercrime.

Computer Information Systems major Naomi Robinson '19 originally arrived at Quinnipiac as an athletic training major. She transferred to the School of Business not long after, with a particular interest in its CIS program.

”It was very easy switching between schools,” Robinson said. ”I really appreciated the flexibility that Quinnipiac offered.”

Robinson soon found herself thriving in such complex courses as Enterprise Systems, Object Oriented Programming and Database Programming & Design. She works in an IT-related job on campus, and continues to network with representatives from large companies at career fairs and other events.

”The resources that Quinnipiac has offered have been amazing,” she said.

A member of the Student Programming Board, Robinson spent the majority of her Quinnipiac experience involved in activities on campus. Her involvement, however, has not been limited to computing organizations. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion shone as a member of both the African and Caribbean Student Union and the Black Student Union. She even started a club with her roommates called NaturallyMe, dedicated to hair care and the idea that women should embrace their natural hair type.

”These activities have allowed me to go to many different events,” Robinson said. ”I'm able to promote diversity right here on campus, and speak my mind about current issues.”