Cybersecurity

profession expected to exceed 28% in the next seven years, one can translate training in this specialized field into a lucrative career.

On-going communication with students (and graduates) is important to Hand, who established a Discord Chat Room, where his students can talk to him and each other about challenges, new technology and job postings.

“The pay offers these guys are getting are significantly higher than those offered high school graduates,” said Hand.

Hand’s classroom is set-up like a gaming room, an exciting and fun “lab” that is open to students when not in use.

“Gaming helps them to build the skills needed in Cybersecurity,” said Hand. “It’s open outside of class to allow them to learn as they play. The same skills of attack and defend that are needed in gaming are also needed in Cybersecurity and IT in general.”

Hand’s work isn’t all in the classroom. He meets with companies to find out the level of need and what they want from the program; he revamps and adjusts the curriculum every three years. He also works on partnerships with other schools.

OTC and Middle Georgia State University (MGA) have signed an agreement to create seamless transitions for students pursuing a career in information technology. The agreement is designed to facilitate the transfer of credits earned in the Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity degree at OTC to the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at MGA. OTC also has established a similar relationship with Kennesaw State. The transfer of credits earned in the Cybersecurity Associate of Applied Science Degree at OTC into the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity eMajor degree program at KSU.

Hand also helps students with internships with local companies.

“I think internships teach students how to enter the workforce and how to talk and work with others,” said Hand. “Good strong graduates are produced here now and they often get hired on the spot.”

His students are proficient with all types of computers: including Mac, Windows, and Lennox. They learn ethical hacking and penetration testing, invasive tactics used (with permission) to identify weaknesses in company’s systems. Students get a planned sequence of courses in computer hardware, computer software, operating systems, networking, network security, cyber defense and countermeasures, penetration testing/ethical hacking, digital forensics, cyber ops, and security policies and procedures.

OTC’s Cybersecurity Program team of Justin Clenny and Dalton Flanders entered the 2023 SkillsUSA competition, a non-profit national education association serving middle-school, high school and college/post-secondary students preparing for careers in trades, technical and skilled service occupations. SkillsUSA is recognized by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor as a successful model of employer-driven youth development training. A National Leadership & Skills Conference is held each year; this year in June, in Atlanta.

The Cybersecurity team of Clenny and Flanders, competed and won, bringing home gold medals for the program! For the competition the students had to create an operating system, operate and maintain the system, and protect and defend it. The award brings national recognition to OTC and the great training Hand pours into his students.

“From day one each of these students stood out showing an amazing passion for their studies and demonstrating a strong work ethic, leadership, and teamwork,” said Hand. “They are both incredible individuals and I am honored to have been their instructor.”

Classes for the fourth cohort of OTC’s and Hand’s national-gold-medal-award-winning program start this fall. For information on classes, schedules and enrolling, please visit www.ogeecheetech.edu. S

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