Expect Challenge, Achieve Distinction with Norwich University

Matthew J. Bambrick CBCP, MSBC ‘10, MSIA ’12

As a 2010 Graduate of the Norwich University Master of Science in Business Continuity

Management (MSBC) program and currently in my last course to complete my Master of

Science in Information Assurance (MSIA), I can attest to the truth of the Norwich

University motto of “Expect Challenge....Achieve Distinction”.

After earning my MSBC degree, some called me “nuts” for going straight back to

Norwich for a second Master’s in Information Assurance. But for me, the decision made complete and total sense. My long-term goal is to integrate Business Continuity with

Information Assurance in ways that add value to both fields. I find that the current mindset of today’s Business Continuity planners focuses wholly on natural and manmade issues-not many think that an organization’s presence on the internet, but within cyberspace, it must be a part of their continuity plans. While IT disaster recovery efforts may already be in place, the ultimate goal is to be proactive and not reactive when it comes to cyber security incidents. What happens when your buildings are intact, your personnel are healthy and accounted for, your computers are on, but none of your internet functionality is working? The impacts can be far greater than any short-term disaster: our reliance on computers, data and the internet has grown by leaps and bounds and will continue to do so.

The practice of Information Assurance and Information Security is never going away, as evidenced by recent newsworthy cyber incidents that affected major corporations. Some are still recuperating from these events. Given the current threat environment, even in today’s weak economy the demand for expertise in this field is strong and expected to have continued growth for many years. Similarly, Hurricanes Katrina and Irene have proved that the need for well-educated practitioners of Business Continuity planning is growing and will also continue to grow.

Expect Challenge

My educational experience with Norwich for both degrees has been sheer pleasure and a lot of hard work. To pursue the MSBC program at Norwich was my only option, because

Norwich is the only school to offer it. On the other hand many institutions offer an

Information Assurance/Cyber Security degree. I selected the MSIA program from

Norwich University again because it has become my preferred institution of choice.

Anything that is this rewarding, gratifying, and provides such a sense of pure accomplishment comes with some very hard work. As a Norwich graduate student, I have been challenged in ways I never thought possible and in ways I never thought imaginable. I have a passion for these fields of study and practice and always want to stay at the forefront of knowledge. Military discipline and personal fortitude enabled me to overcome the academic challenges the Norwich curriculum presented to me. At the same time, I learned a great deal about myself, my capabilities and my competencies which I can directly apply within my workplace. By overcoming these academic and personal challenges, I am a better citizen, employee and mentor for it.

Achieve Distinction

The rewards I have experienced to date have gone beyond my wildest dreams. They would not have even been possible without my Norwich degree (and another Norwich degree nearly completed) plus a few answered prayers. As I write this in the month of September 2011, I realized that at this very point 3 years ago I was completing my last course for my undergraduate degree at Ashford University. Looking back, I am amazed at how far I have come, and what I have accomplished.

The ultimate compliment occurs when a cohort member (past or present) pings me for professional guidance, information, resources or simply an opinion. This is the result of the bonds and friendships every student can develop while going through a Norwich program. These bonds and friendships will last a lifetime. When I am asked for input from my peers, they know I will provide value in my response. I often ping my cohorts for information in their subject matter areas because I know I can trust them and I am getting the “straight scoop.”

What I have achieved thus far since graduating from Norwich:

 Acceptance into the Epsilon Pi Phi Honor Society - The national honor society

in Emergency Management/Homeland Security/Business Continuity

established by The Foundation of Higher Education in 2006.

 Became an online Adjunct Professor at Ashford University teaching within

the Emergency Management/Homeland Security and Criminal Justice

curriculums

 Featured educator in the Ashford University Connections Magazine (Spring

 Hired by Drexel University to develop and teach a course in Infrastructure

Disaster Recovery for their Emergency Management Certificate program

 Eligibility for membership for the Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor society. Upsilon

Pi Epsilon is an honorary society whose membership consists of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in Computing and Information

Disciplines.

My 2010 commencement handout included this description of a Norwich graduate. I recall it quite fondly:

“In coming to Norwich, today’s graduates encountered great challenges. By overcoming them, they confirmed in themselves the confidence to persevere in the face of adversity…

Norwich graduates are men and women of distinction.”

How very true. I often refer to this passage from time to time when challenges seem overwhelming. Upon reading it, I am instantly motivated to live up to this passage.

Norwich Forever!

For more information about the Norwich MSBC program, visit http://businesscontinuity.norwich.edu. For more information about the Norwich MSIA program, visit http://infoassurance.norwich.edu/

------About the Author: Matthew Bambrick, CBCP, is in corporate security compliance for a large energy company and a current MSIA graduate student at Norwich University. His current duties involve research on new laws, regulations and compliance best practices (NERC-CIP, FERC, DOE, DHS); and providing physical and cyber security guidance to managers who have roles in security compliance activities. He is a member of various business continuity, emergency management, and federal agency-related groups, as well as a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Army. He can be reached at [email protected]