Montgomery College 2018-2019 Catalog 
    
    Nov 11, 2024  
Montgomery College 2018-2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Cybersecurity AAS: 356A


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(G): 356A

This AAS degree prepares students for entry-level positions in cybersecurity. The program emphasizes computer security and information assurance concepts augmented with current industry standard techniques. Topics cover threats and vulnerabilities, prevention at the technical (hardware and software) and human levels, detection, response, and management aspects of security.

The program prepares entry-level computer technicians with cybersecurity expertise and also offers students a transfer option to four-year institutions. The proposed program of study is designed to address the needs for increasing the number of trained workers qualified to work in cybersecurity in the homeland security industry. The program is expected to meet National Security Telecommunications and Systems Security Instruction (NSTISSI) 4011 and 4013 standards. It will also help prepare students to sit for a variety of industry certifications, including the Computing Technology Industry Association’s (CompTIA) A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications; Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification; and the Security Certified Network Professional certification.

General Education Course Selections


Click here to view the Foundation/Distribution Courses  for selection to fulfill the General Education Course Requirements.

Suggested Course Sequence


A suggested course sequence for full-time students follows. All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.

First Semester


Second Semester


Third Semester


Total Credit Hours: 60


* ENGL 101  /ENGL 101A  , if needed for ENGL 102  /ENGL 103  , or NWIT or CMSC elective.

Program Outline / Degree Requirements


General Education Requirements


Foundation Courses


  • English Foundation 3 semester hours (ENGF)
  • Mathematics foundation 3 semester hours (MATF)

Distribution Courses


  • Arts or humanities distribution 3 semester hours (ARTD or HUMD)
  • Behavioral and social sciences distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD)
  • Natural science distribution with lab 4 semester hours (NSLD)

General Education Elective


Total Credit Hours: 60


* ENGL 101  /ENGL 101A  , if needed for ENGL 102  /ENGL 103  , or NWIT or CMSC elective.

Program Outcomes


Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:

  • Apply software patches to operating systems and applications.
  • Evaluate a system for security vulnerabilities using appropriate resources.
  • Use standard software tools to detect attempted security breaches in networks.
  • Implement network security defenses.
  • Describe a professional’s responsibility in the areas of individual privacy, intellectual property rights, and ethics and codes of conduct.
  • Examine legal, social, and ethical concerns related to securing information systems and networks.
  • Explain how to use current forensic tools.
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills on issues related to cybersecurity.
  • Describe the differences between internal and external threats and how to defend against each.
  • Propose cybersecurity solutions based on real-world problem scenarios.
  • Demonstrate the skills necessary to be successful in passing at least 2 of the following certification exams: CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Administrator), CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, and/or ISC2 Professional Security certification(s).

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