Cybersecurity

Overview

People working in cybersecurity help protect organizations from computer-related crimes and the legal issues involved in investigations. Learn vital skills necessary for a lucrative profession, including applying ethical best practices and securely configuring computer systems and networks.

Elgin Community College gives you the perfect combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in Cybersecurity. Our partnerships with the local industry give you extensive hands-on experience in the classroom and through practical, on-the-job training as part of the vocational specialist program.

Areas of study include:

• Browser security
• Computer Hardware
• Database Management
• Help Desk
• Information Security and Counter Measures
• Local Area Networks
• Network security
• Operating Systems
• Server Administration
• Technical Support

Prepare for Immediate Employment

The future employment outlook for internet security professionals is very positive. As technology advances and more companies rely on digital systems, the need for cybersecurity professionals will continue to grow as they work to block unauthorized access to personal, company, and government systems. Roughly 19,500 job openings are projected each year over the next decade.

Growth is driven by increasing cyber threats and a need for enhanced security measures to protect sensitive information and systems. Additionally, the rise of remote work and cloud computing has increased the need for cybersecurity professionals who can safeguard remote access and virtual environments. The demand for security professionals will remain high in the coming years. Refer to Career Coach for more information regarding related occupations and compensation.

Credentials

Learn about common threats, system hardening, network and intrusion security tools, access control methods, authentication, encryption, redundancy, disaster response, and organizational security while working in the high-growth field of information security. Complete the required 32-33 credit hours for this Vocational Specialist Certificate.

At ECC, you'll earn industry-recognized credentials that local employers highly value:

Courses at Elgin Community College in Cybersecurity

Here are a few sample classes:

• Cyberlaw and Ethics
• Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures
• Principles of Cybersecurity

Getting a Job in Cybersecurity

This position presents excellent prospects, with job growth expected to outpace the average for all occupations. Over 27% of cybersecurity positions are open to candidates with some college education or an associate degree. Pursuing an Associate Degree and progressing to a Bachelor's degree further enhances the outlook, as employment is projected to increase by 35% over the next eight years. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, on the Internet (accessed May 6, 2023).

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital ransomware attacks. These data breaches usually involve illegally accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive data such as credit cards and private information or interrupting normal business processes. Implementing effective endpoint security measures is particularly challenging because increasing devices control every aspect of our lives, including mobile devices, computers, and networks the organization intends to keep safe. In an organization, people, processes, and technology must complement one another to create an effective defense against cyber attacks. Everyone benefits from advanced cyber defense programs. At an individual level, a cybersecurity attack can result in everything from identity theft to extortion attempts to the loss of important data. Everyone relies on critical infrastructure to keep society functioning.

Why should I pursue Cybersecurity?

A cybersecurity professional ensures the data remains safe. Cybersecurity career paths vary depending on interests, including incident response, operational tasks for security services, application cybersecurity, digital threat assessments, and implementing digital risk programs with business teams. Depending on your experience, consider the following cybersecurity jobs:

• Entry-level: Systems Administrator, Network Engineer, Network Administrator, or Security Administrator
• Mid-level: Cybersecurity Analyst, Penetration Tester, Security Technician, IT Auditor
• Senior-level: Cybersecurity Manager, Cybersecurity Engineer, Chief Information Security Officer

Many professionals are involved in Cybersecurity, including consulting, research, IT technology, programming, and engineering.

Should I get a degree in CIS?

At ECC, you'll have an academic advisor on day one to work with you on everything career-related. You'll work together to design an educational plan tailored to your goal of entering the workforce or starting at a community college and then transferring to finish a bachelor's degree. Your advisor will help you with a clear pathway to follow and help you get all the necessary information to make a well-informed decision about your future.