Bloomington Leader

Indiana University's Maurer School of Law has established itself as a leader in cybersecurity law education. The program, which allows students to earn a juris doctor degree alongside a master's in cybersecurity risk management or a graduate certificate in cybersecurity law and policy, is the first of its kind in the nation.

Fred Cate, privacy law professor at IU Maurer School of Law, was instrumental in founding the Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research. "What makes our program stand out is the amazing connection between law, technology, business and organizational behavior," Cate said. He emphasized that the challenge in cybersecurity is not merely technological but behavioral.

Tanner Wilburn, who will soon graduate with a joint J.D. and M.S., secured employment with a Washington D.C. law firm before completing his studies. "When I started to explore graduate programs, the joint J.D./M.S. at IU was the perfect fit," he noted.

Asaf Lubin, associate professor of law at IU, ensures that students engage with real-world legal challenges involving evolving technologies. "Lawyers, legal professionals and academics are constantly being asked to advise on issues of law and technology where policy is constantly evolving," Lubin stated.

Students have had opportunities to advise various entities including the U.S. federal government and Fortune 500 companies. In fall 2024, Lubin's students advised Kosovo on national cybersecurity legislation through IU's Cybersecurity Clinic.

Lubin highlighted Maurer's pioneering curriculum in areas such as data privacy and intellectual property: "By being one of the first law schools in the country to develop such a robust curriculum around cybersecurity... Maurer’s program became nationally renowned."

Amanda Craig Deckard credited her education at IU for her career progression at Microsoft: "My time at IU Maurer School of Law allowed me to build up the substantive knowledge and skills necessary to navigate this path."

Chimdera Ezeani chose IU for its comprehensive approach to cybersecurity education: “I got my undergraduate degree in computer science and was always interested in cybersecurity,” Ezeani explained.