Cybersecurity Fundamentals

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Cybersecurity Fundamentals is designed to focus on the necessary skills required to secure, protect and identify vulnerabilities in a network, including various operating systems and network devices. Emphasis is placed on developing the theoretical, legal, ethical and practical skills needed to maintain security on mission-critical networking and server systems. The program is designed to provide applied skills necessary for government and industry employees. The program covers a variety of information security technologies and structured languages. The Cybersecurity program also focuses on the skills needed for internationally recognized IT certifications and high demands in business, industry, and government. The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Cybersecurity is also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Computer and Information Technology
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Cybersecurity Fundamentals (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5154
Total credits required
24-25
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Admissions criteria

Only required courses taken within eight (8) years of completion of the program may be applied towards this degree. Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Courses within any of the following prefixes must be taken within five (5) years prior to completion of the program to be applied toward this award: AIM, BPC, CIS, CLD, CNT, CSC, ITS, and MST.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Explain the fundamental components, concepts, and application of cybersecurity principles.
  2. Describe cyber defense tools, methods, and components.
  3. Apply cyber defense methods to prepare a system to repel attacks.
  4. Analyze common security failures and identify specific design principles that have been violated.
  5. Describe the interaction between security and system usability and the importance for minimizing the effects of security mechanisms.
  6. Apply appropriate protocols, tools, and techniques to maximize security in the network environment.
  7. Describe the fundamental concepts, technologies, components, vulnerabilities, and issues related to networks.
  8. Identify and describe basic security issues of operating systems.
  9. Identify perpetrators, their resources, and their motivations in cyberspace.
  10. Compare and contrast offensive and defensive resources used in cybersecurity ecosystems/environment.
  11. Delineate differences between the moral, behavioral, ethical, and legal ramifications found in the cybersecurity world.
  12. Apply knowledge of regulatory and legal requirements to ensure compliance.
  13. Apply risk analysis methodologies to identify potential vulnerabilities, associated impacts, and recommend appropriate responses.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Computer and Information Systems Managers

$141,802

Computer Network Architects

$110,088

Computer Network Support Specialists

$54,778

Information Security Analysts

$100,345

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

$81,969

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems CS 3
CIS126DL or
CIS126RH		 Linux Operating System or Red Hat System Administration I 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CIS156 Python Programming: Level I 3
CIS190 or
CNT140AB		 Introduction to Networking or Introduction to Networks 3–4
BPC270 or
MST150++		 A+ Exam Prep: Operating System Configuration and Support or Any Microsoft Windows Course 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CIS111 or
ITS120		 Ethics in Information Technology or Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues 3
ITS240 Ethical Hacking and Network Defense 3
CIS270 or
ITS110		 Essentials of Network and Information Security or Information Security Fundamentals 3
Course Area Key
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=183072).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.