Cybersecurity Certificate

Cybersecurity Essentials Certificate –Online

Program Director: Joshua C. Nwokeji, Ph.D.

INTRODUCTION

The Cybersecurity Essentials certificate provides the foundation for working professionals holding a nontechnical undergraduate or graduate degree and looking to improve their knowledge in cybersecurity, increase their job prospects, or take the first step towards a graduate degree in the cybersecurity field. Individuals in the cyber field need to be equipped with cybersecurity concepts and knowledge to protect and defend apps, data, networks, devices, critical systems, infrastructure, and people. The goal of the certificate is to build cyber competencies in the current workforce by providing the foundational knowledge needed to obtain industry professional certification such as CompTIA Networking +, CompTIA Security+, Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC).

The curriculum is based on the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) Designation Requirements. The Cybersecurity Essentials is a 12-credit certificate program that can be completed in one year. Courses will be offered in a 7-week format. The certificate is delivered online. The length of the program will be two semesters by taking two courses per semester.

CERTIFICATE OUTCOMES

After the certificate, the participants will be able to: 1. Apply cybersecurity principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats and communicate effectively in a variety of cybersecurity professional contexts. 2. Demonstrate appropriate skills in operating and managing networks, using appropriate cybersecurity analysis tools to identify network vulnerabilities. 3. Display competence in the common standards related to information assurance to recognize professional responsibilities and make informed decisions in cybersecurity practice.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completion of an undergraduate degree with a 2.5 QGPA orbetter 2. Completed application 3. Transcripts for college course work 4. TOEFL/other scores if English is not the first language

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GCYSEC 501 Networking Fundamental

3 credits, FA-1 Prerequisite: None Topics include networking models and media, architectures, topologies, devices, protocols, use of tools, processes, threads, memory, file systems, virtualization, access control, domain separation, process isolation, resource encapsulation, and least privilege.

GCYSEC 502 Cybersecurity Foundations

3 credits, FA-2 Prerequisite: GCYSEC 501or equivalent Topics include Malware, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing; Network components, frameworks, and secure network architectures; Identity and access management control; Policies, plans, and procedures; and cryptographic concepts.

GCYSEC 503 Security Leadership

3 credits, SP-1 Prerequisite: GCYSEC 501or equivalent Topics include cryptographic applications; incident response and business continuity; and managing security operations center, application security, negotiations and vendors, projects, and security architecture.

GCYSEC 504 Cybersecurity Management

3 credits, SP-2 Prerequisite: GCYSEC 501 equivalent Topics include managing security awareness and policy, system security and program structure; network monitoring, security and privacy; network concepts; risk management and security frameworks; and vulnerability management.

See catalog descriptions in the Information Assurance and Cybersecurity (MS-IAC) program listing.