Mountain Empire Community College, with its Cybersecurity Career Studies Program, is accredited by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
Purpose
The Cybersecurity Career Studies Certificate is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce with essential cybersecurity training to help plan and implement an organization’s information security, install security hardware and software, monitor networks for security breaches, respond to cyber-attacks, and gather evidence to be used in prosecuting cyber-crime. The training focuses on the strategies, techniques, and defense mechanisms required to mitigate global cyber threats. This certificate includes both classroom and lab instruction.
The Cybersecurity Career Studies Program can also be used to transition to an Associate of Applied Science degree path since several of its courses can be applied to two MECC degree programs—Computer Networking Technology and Computer Software Specialist. More information can be found by clicking on the “Course Information” link on this page.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Analyze, design, and document computer network specifications to meet client needs.
- Understand computer systems, networking, and Information Security terminology.
- Install, configure, and troubleshoot workstations, servers, and network infrastructure.
- Use computer systems and network security in a responsible and ethical manner.
- Ensure the implementation of the five security keys: confidentiality, integrity, availability, accountability, and auditability when creating security policies and procedures.
- Understand different hacking attacks and defense methodologies.
- Analyze local and global information technology (IT) and security trends, while recognizing the influences of IT on cultural, economic, ethical, and legal issues and responsibilities.
- Gain the ability for computer forensic investigation by collecting computer-related evidence at the physical layer from a variety of digital media.
- Secure communication protocols from hacking attacks by highlighting protocol weaknesses that include Internet architecture, routing addressing, topology, fragmentation, and protocol analysis.
Employment Opportunities
The Cybersecurity Career Studies Certificate program will prepare students for a wide range of careers in fields such as computer forensics, information security, and systems administration. As cybersecurity job growth in Virginia continues to trend upwards, the certificate will enable students to be a part of this trend and remain competitive as the region’s economy continues to evolve.
Articles, Announcements & Upcoming Events
- MECC Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the NSA, Homeland Security
- MECC’s Cybersecurity Teams Succeed on National Stage
- MECC’s “Capture the Flag” (CTF) team has advanced to the final round of Radford University’s annual “RU Secure” national CTF competition.
- MECC is currently seeking participants for Spring 2020’s National Cyber League
- MECC’s “Capture the Flag” (CTF) team finished 12th out of 326 competing teams from universities and high schools across the country in Radford University’s annual “RU Secure” CTF competition.
- Meet the woman who thinks everyone (and not just corporations) should profit from online data.
- MECC students earn five of top six scores at regional cybersecurity competition.
For Further Information, Contact:
| Ritchie Deel | RDeel@mecc.edu | 276-523-9444 |
| Terri Lane | tlane@mecc.edu | 276-523-9058 |
| Jane Jones, Dean of Business & Information Technology | jjones@mecc.edu | 276-523-9057 |
Mountain Empire Community College is a licensed Accredited Training Center for EC-Council, a global leader in information security training. As an ATC, MECC is authorized to deliver EC-Council’s official courseware to students and train them for two of the industry’s most competitive and sough-after certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker and Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator.
Institutions that receive a CAE-C designation have met the rigorous requirements set forth by the sponsor of the program, the National Security Agency (NSA). The NSA awards CAE-C designations to institutions that commit to producing cybersecurity professionals that will reduce vulnerabilities in our national infrastructure. For more information, visit caecommunity.org.
