No. of Credits: 60
Contact: Bernice Brezina, Chair, Business, Technology, and Public Service Division;
Christopher Estes, Program Coordinator
The field of cybersecurity focuses on the protection of computers, networks, software, and data from unauthorized access, modification, and destruction. Continued adoption of new technologies, Software as a Service (Saas), and migration to cloud environments in the face of evolving threats are accelerating demand for practitioners in this already growing field.
This degree program prepares students who are currently employed in the cybersecurity field as well as those without prior work experience to develop the skills and knowledge required of practitioners within a variety of cybersecurity related settings.
The first semester is the same for all students in this program; it is designed to provide all students with a foundation in information technology hardware and software fundamentals. During the second semester, students begin to explore cybersecurity concepts. At the conclusion of the second semester, the student will select elective offerings in areas of special interest in Digital Forensics, Network Security, or Information Assurance.
Cybersecurity students will take classes that will help to prepare for the following in-demand entry level cybersecurity industry certifications: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Linux+, and EC Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Depending on elective selections, students may take courses to prepare for these additional certifications: EC Council CHFI, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, and CISCO CCNA.
Students opting to take more Digital Forensics electives will take classes that will help to prepare them for the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) industry certification. These elective courses will place special emphasis on the knowledge and skills to conduct digital forensics investigations and to develop and administer policy in support of digital forensic programs.
Students selecting the Network Security electives will take classes that will help to prepare them for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) industry certification. These elective courses will place special emphasis on the knowledge and skills to implement, administer, and secure networks of various sizes.
Students selecting electives in Information Assurance will take classes that will help to prepare them with the technical knowledge, as well as the foundational leadership and management capabilities to further skills related to policy development, compliance, standards, and risk management.
Students will be taking courses in this program through several course delivery formats. Since it is imperative that students obtain hands-on experience with the various tools, technologies and techniques employed in the cybersecurity field, some courses may only be offered in a face-to-face lab environment. However, most courses in the program are available online as well as in 7-week mini-semester, and summer terms.
This program has been designated as a CAE-CDE 2Y - National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense 2-Year Education by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Professionals with a strong IT background may contact the program coordinator or chair about obtaining prerequisite waivers to take certain classes in this program.
Students may be eligible to receive Credit for Prior Learning through Certification Evaluation for up to 15 credits with any of the following current certifications: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Linux+, CISCO CCNA, EC Council CEH, EC Council CHFI, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, and ISC2 CISSP.
Students should meet with an advisor to discuss Certification Evaluation, transfer evaluation, or options for transfer to 4-year colleges with this program.
The maximum number of credits accepted in transfer from other institutions to this program is 45.
Career Opportunities:
information systems security technician, cybersecurity analyst, security associate, security administrator, security specialist, digital forensics investigator, security consultant, information assurance technicians, network security administrator, and security engineer
Transfer Options:
A complete list of all transfer opportunities can be found on the Transfer Services page
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will…
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Analyze social, professional, security, and ethical issues related to computing.
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Apply industry standard information security practices to solve a variety of business and technical problems.
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Demonstrate understanding of key security domain concepts (policy development, physical security, computer application security, network defense, user support, and disaster and recovery planning).
- Secure information as it exists in networks and computer systems by applying a layered security policy.
- Explain as well as justify, in both oral and written form, security procedures and recommendations for a non-technical audience.
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