IT – Cybersecurity Specialist | Gateway Technical College

Gain hands-on experience troubleshooting and problem-solving by learning outside-the-box network and data security from professional instructors.
Cutting-edge technology, NetLab and virtual lab systems give you convenient 24/7 online access to practice the skills you’ll need to succeed on the job.
Gain proven career skills with a curriculum designed to meet criteria set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and needs identified by area employers and professionals.
Flexible course scheduling includes convenient evening options for core courses offered at the Racine and Elkhorn campuses and many general education and elective courses offered mostly online, so you can accomplish your learning and career goals without having to make major adjustments to your schedule.

Program Credits

64

LOCATION

Elkhorn Campus, Online, Racine Campus

Financial Aid Eligible

Yes

ESTIMATED PROGRAM COST

Tuition & Fees: $10,745
Books and Supplies: $4,964

Start Dates

Fall

Salary Outlook

$85,384

Career Opportunities:

Cybersecurity Specialist, Access Control Specialist, Cybersecurity Analyst, Information Security Analyst, Information Systems Security Manager

IT – Cybersecurity Specialist Career Pathway

Career Pathways are designed to help you reach your educational goals and explore college and career options. Pathways are made up of related certificates, diplomas and degrees that build on common skills and knowledge. You can begin at any point on the Career Pathway and customize your pathway to fit your goals. View the pathway for your area of interest.

There are many opportunities, both in high school and through previous college, work, and/or military experience, to earn credit for prior learning at Gateway.

Associate degrees are typically completed in two years by full-time students and combine hands-on technical skills with general education. Associate degree opportunities in this pathway include:

IT – Cybersecurity Specialist

Prepare to enter your exciting new career, or choose to continue your education with another Gateway program or by transferring your credits to a four-year college or university.

Curriculum Sheet:

10-151-2 IT-Cybersecurity Specialist Full-Time 2024-2025 Curriculum Sheet.pdf

Part Time Curriculum:

10-151-2 IT-Cybersecurity Specialist Part-Time 2024-2025 Curriculum Sheet.pdf

Course Number: 890-155Credits: 1.00

In this course, students explore the Gateway Technical College community. They examine college resources and services, investigate skills that lead to academic success, and identify strategies for achieving educational and personal goals.

Course Number: 150-182Credits: 3.00

In this course, learners are introduced to the interconnection of data, people, processes and things that forms the Internet of Things (IoT). Learners will differentiate among smart devices, connected devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-to-people (M2P), and people-to-people (P2P) connections in an IoT solution will be examined. Security concerns that must be considered when implementing IoT solutions will be investigated. Upon completion of the course, learners will be able communicate with data over networks to IoT frameworks.

Course Number: 150-114Credits: 3.00

This course will provide you with more in depth networking concepts. Topics will include the Internet, OSI model, wireless, security, logical and physical topologies, instant messaging, basic router setup and switch configuration, network connectivity, and hardware and software configurations. You will also learn how to create local area networks and wide area networks. Individuals will learn real-world skills related to employment.

Course Number: 150-194Credits: 3.00

Students will learn how to maintain security in the workplace. Security plans will be created based on, but not limited to, ten key security technologies: access control, network security, management security procedures, systems development security, cryptography, security models, operations security, disaster recovery, laws and ethics, and physical security.

Course Number: 809-198Credits: 3.00

This course introduces students to some of the major theories and topics of psychology, including the physiological basis of behavior, personality and learning theories, memory, states of consciousness, stress, research methods, intelligence, human development, psychopathology, and social behavior.

Course Number: 804-135Credits: 3.00

This course is intended to develop analytic reasoning and the ability to solve quantitative problems. Topics to be covered may include: construction & interpretation of graphs; descriptive statistics; geometry & spatial visualizations; math of finance; functions and modeling; probability; and logic. Appropriate use of units and dimensions, estimates, mathematical notation, and available technology will be emphasized throughout the course.

Course Number: 151-123Credits: 3.00

In this course, students develop ethical offensive and defensive strategies to protect various network configurations. They select tools and technologies to use during simulated attacks. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to analyze and secure network systems.

Course Number: 801-136Credits: 3.00

This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research, and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

Course Number: 150-106Credits: 3.00

Learn the basic concepts and techniques of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and other network related defense strategies. Students will setup, configure, and monitor an Intrusion Detection System utilizing different leading edge products. Current network defense strategies will be discussed and popular tools will be used. Students will be able to apply the correct IDS and defense strategies for different business? goals.

Course Number: 150-119Credits: 3.00

In this Microsoft Official Academic Course (MOAC) students examine installation, configuration, and storage options in the Windows Server 2019 environment. Students explore processes to maintain, secure, and monitor server performance. Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) Windows Server 2019 exam.

Course Number: 150-115Credits: 3.00

In this course, students continue working with IoT devices. Students connect devices and analyze firmware and software for weaknesses. Students research and perform upgrades to IoT devices. After upgrading the IoT devices, the students secure these devices by applying industry best practices. This may include changing firewall settings or remote access settings. Upon completion of this course, students can recognize, update and secure IoT devices.

Course Number: 150-145Credits: 3.00

This course is designed to provide an overview of modern scripting languages commonly used to build and extend network administration and security tools. The course will introduce the student to scripting on both the Microsoft and Linux platforms. Students will explore the uses of scripting languages and third party modules for accomplishing tasks including scanning, enumeration and automation of network tasks.

Course Number: 150-124Credits: 3.00

In this course, students investigate switching, routing, and wireless essentials. They configure, troubleshoot, and secure routers and switches in a small network. They explore wireless local area networks (WLANs), dynamic addressing, switch security, and first-hope redundancy protocols. Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired the knowledge, skills, and practical hands-on experience needed to take the CCNA certification exam.

Course Number: 809-196Credits: 3.00

This course examines interpersonal relationships of humans and groups and the consequent structure of society. It details the various social processes and concepts which shape human behavior, analyzing such phenomena as organizations, deviance, race and ethnic relations, population, urbanization, social change, and social movements. Religion, education, and the family are studied.

Course Number: 151-130Credits: 3.00

The CCNA Cybersecurity Operations curriculum provides an introduction to the knowledge and skills needed for a Network Security Specialist working with a Security Operations Center (SOC) team. Students learn core security skills needed for monitoring, detecting, investigating, analyzing and responding to security events, thus protecting systems and organizations from cybersecurity risks, threats and vulnerabilities. Upon completion of this course, students can prepare for the Implementing Cisco Cybersecurity Operations (SECOPS) Certification Exam.

Course Number: 151-131Credits: 3.00

In this class, students will gain an in-depth knowledge of how to install, configure, and manage firewalls for the defense of the enterprise network archeticture. Students will also learn the theory, as well as configuration steps for the security, networking, threat prevention, logging, and reporting features of next-generation firewalls. Upon completion of this course, students can install, configure and update next-generation firewalls.

Course Number: 150-150Credits: 3.00

In this course, learners explore key command line concepts and enterprise-level tools. They investigate foundational Linux skills and core tasks such as file management; file systems and storage; and the update, install, and configuration of software packages. Learners administer users and groups. Upon successful completion of this course and the second course in this series (Red Hat SystemAdministration II), learners will be prepared to take the Red Hat Certified SystemAdministrator (RHCSA) exam.

Course Number: 801-197Credits: 3.00

The student will prepare and present oral and written technical reports. Types of reports may include lab and field reports, proposals, technical letters and memos, technical research reports, and case studies. This course is designed as an advanced communication course for students who have completed at least the prerequisite introductory writing course.

Course Number: 151-121Credits: 3.00

In this course, students examine key considerations in migrating to cloud computing. They investigate cloud deployment, service models, and cloud infrastructure. Students analyze technologies required to build classic (traditional), virtualized, and cloud data center environments. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to make informed decisions about migrating to the cloud infrastructure and choosing the best deployment model for an organization.

Course Number: 151-122Credits: 3.00

In this course, students examine network security topics through real-world examples. They explore how and why people attack computers and networks. Students investigate and apply tools and techniques commonly used for penetration testing. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to recognize areas of vulnerabilities in a network environment and provide security solutions for the organization.

Course Number: 150-151Credits: 3.00

In this course, learners explore key tasks needed to become a Linux administrator. They build on foundational Linux skills as they learn to manage security and system access; execute shell scripts; automate repetitive tasks; manage storage devices, logical volumes, and file systems; and install Red Hat Enterprise Linux using scalable methods. Upon successful completion of this course learners will be prepared to take the Red Hat Certified SystemAdministrator (RHCSA) exam.

Course Number: 151-132Credits: 3.00

Learners will monitor, administer, manage, and control one or more networks. The overall function is to maintain optimal network operations across a variety of platforms, mediums and communications channels. Problems will be introduced into the networks and students will be required to work as a team to troubleshoot and fix the systems in a timely manner. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to recognize and troubleshoot network issues while maintaining availability.

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Application for Admission & Application Fee
Students must meet one of the following multiple measures: earned a technical diploma or higher,* earned a minimum high school GPA of 2.6, earned a minimum college GPA of 2.0 or submit ACT or Accuplacer test scores. Submit any needed transcripts or test scores. *Please note short term technical diplomas do not fulfill Multiple Measures. These programs include Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced EMT, and Truck Driving.