Cybersecurity, Certificate of Achievement
Cybersecurity, Certificate of Achievement
The Cybersecurity Certificate of Achievement prepares students for various careers in the expanding and lucrative field of cybersecurity. Every industry relies on cybersecurity specialists to follow best practices to protect computer networks, devices, and data. The program also equips students to effectively respond to cybersecurity incidents that may arise.
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in the labor market according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and there is a significant shortage of qualified cybersecurity specialists to fill the numerous job openings. The goal of the Cybersecurity COA is to prepare students to take advantage of these employment opportunities in as little as one academic year. A student who completes the Cybersecurity COA will be prepared for the CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker, and Red Hat Linux System Administration I certification exams. Depending on the electives that are chosen, students will also be prepared for 2 additional industry certification exams.
Students pursuing the Cybersecurity COA should enroll in the required foundation-level networking course during their first semester (CNIT R120 or CNIT R144) to ensure they are well-prepared for the advanced cybersecurity courses that follow.
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| CNIT R120 | Cisco CCNA Computer Networking I | 4 |
| or CNIT R144 | CompTIA Network+ Fundamentals and Certification Preparation | |
| CNIT R143 | Linux Fundamentals | 3 |
| CNIT R145 | CompTIA Security+ IT Security and Certification Preparation | 3 |
| CNIT R146 | Cybersecurity: Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| Complete two elective courses: | ||
| CNIT R127 | Wireless Networking Fundamentals | 3 |
| CNIT R131 | Administer Microsoft Windows Server | 3 |
| CNIT R151 | Cloud Computing and Virtualization | 4 |
| CNIT R161 | Programming Essentials in Python | 3 |
| Total Required Units for Certificate | 19-20 | |
To earn a Certificate of Achievement (COA), a student must complete all courses within the certificate with a grade of "C" or better (or "P").
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Units/Hours | |
| CNIT R120 or CNIT R144 | Cisco CCNA Computer Networking I or CompTIA Network+ Fundamentals and Certification Preparation | 4 |
| CNIT R143 | Linux Fundamentals | 3 |
| Units/Hours | 7 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CNIT R145 | CompTIA Security+ IT Security and Certification Preparation | 3 |
| CNIT R151 | Cloud Computing and Virtualization | 4 |
| CNIT R146 | Cybersecurity: Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| Units/Hours | 10 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| CNIT R127 | Wireless Networking Fundamentals | 3 |
| Units/Hours | 3 | |
| Total Units/Hours | 20 | |
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Secure network operating systems including the desktop, the server, and intermediary devices such as a network switch and router.
- Construct and apply group policies to secure end devices and the network.
- Perform a vulnerability assessment and penetration test.
- Create a report up to industry standards after completing a vulnerability assessment and penetration test.
- Analyze and interpret the results of vulnerability scan and penetration test.
- Mitigate identified vulnerabilities on devices and the network.
- Follow a structured methodology as it relates cybersecurity incident handling.
- Configure firewalls to increase security from internal and external threats.
- Implement and configure an intrusion detection system (IDS) and intrusion protection system (IPS).
- Implement a secure wireless network using enterprise level wireless security.
- Describe the elements of an effective security policy for a company.