Are you fascinated by the ins and outs of cybersecurity? Would you like to learn how to prevent and detect threats and vulnerabilities, and how to respond to the ones that slip through?
Both seasoned information technology students and newcomers to the field can get started through AACC’s Department of Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics. AACC is the first community college in the country to be certified by the National Security Administration.
AACC offers the following Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees. The state of Maryland refers to the A.A.S. as a career degree, because it's intended to provide you with skills to enter the workforce. In some cases, AACC has entered into transfer agreements that allow these degrees to transfer to select colleges. A list of active agreements may be found on this website. You can also learn more about transferring from AACC to continue your education.
The Digital Forensics concentration is designed to provide students with skills to enter the workforce. The program emphasizes the proper handling of digital evidence; tools and techniques utilized in forensics analysis, importance of proper documentation and report generation; the laws and ethics governing evidence handling; the retrieval of evidence from multiple environments and devices; the use of commercial forensics and open source tools; manual recovery techniques; the analysis of collected information; and proper documentation and reporting. The program fully maps to the eight knowledge domains currently specified by the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3) and fully prepares students for the Magnet Certified Forensic Examiner (MCFE) exam. Upon completion of the Digital Forensics area of concentration degree, students are awarded the Digital Media Collector and Digital Media Examiner certificates sponsored by the DC3 National Centers of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence program. In addition, the program objectives support the CompTIA Network + and CompTIA Security+ certifications (exam not provided).
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year institution, AACC has the following agreements to ensure a direct transfer for this degree:
Note: Fast Track option available for those already holding a college degree.
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The Networking Concentration prepares students for careers installing, repairing and administering local and wide area networks. The program incorporates a study of data communication fundamentals together with an in-depth study of current networking architectures and protocols. Client/server and peer networks are studied together with hands-on laboratory time working with Microsoft, UNIX/LINUX and Cisco systems. The program objectives support the CCNA (Certified Cisco Network Administrator), CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+ certifications, but does not provide certification exam training or certification testing.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year institution, AACC has the following agreements to ensure a direct transfer for this degree:
Note: Fast Track option available for those already holding a college degree.
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The Security concentration prepares students for entry-level careers in information assurance and cybersecurity. Computer security and information assurance concepts are augmented with current industry practices and tools. The program fully maps to National Security Telecommunications and System Security Instruction (NSTISSI) 4011 and 4013 standards. The program objectives support the CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications, but does not provide certification exam training or certification testing.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year institution, AACC has the following agreements to ensure a direct transfer for this degree:
Note: Fast Track option available for those already holding a college degree.
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The department also offers the following certificates.
This certificate program provides students the knowledge and skills necessary to execute computer forensic investigations including the use of standard computer forensics and evidence handling techniques to collect, process, review, analyze and produce electronic evidence. Upon completion of the Digital Forensics Advanced Certificate, students are awarded the Digital Media Collector and Digital Media Examiner certificates sponsored by the DC3 National Centers of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence program. Prior technical training or experience is recommended for this program.
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Students in this program receive the hands-on skills and knowledge to protect computer networks including the design and implementation of firewalls, IDS, wireless security, cryptography, Linux security and Windows security. In addition to network security fundamentals, students learn valuable defense and countermeasures.
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Students learn to install, configure, operate and troubleshoot medium-size router and switched networks. Principles include basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts and hands-on, performance-based skills. The certificate objectives support the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification but does not provide certification exam training or certification testing.
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Plan, implement, verify and troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks. In this certificate program, students learn advanced IP addressing and routing in implementing scalable and highly secure Cisco routers that are connected to LANs, WANs, and IPv6. Plan, configure, and verify the implementation of complex enterprise switching solutions that use the Cisco Enterprise Campus Architecture. Plan and perform regular maintenance on complex enterprise routed and switched networks. Use technology-based practices and a systematic ITIL-compliant approach to perform network troubleshooting.
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This certificate prepares students to manage a typical UNIX/LINUX system installation including managing networks, users, security and scripting.
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Students in this program learn to perform basic troubleshooting of computer systems and networks, acquire in-depth knowledge of TCP/IP, Cisco ISO and experience configuring Cisco routers. The program objectives support the CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, and CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician) certifications, but does not provide certification exam training or certification testing. Interested students should contact the certificate coordinator at 410-777-2442.
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This certificate program is intended for students with previous technical training or experience. The student will learn the skills necessary to execute computer forensic investigations including the use of standard computer forensics and evidence handling techniques to collect, process, review, analyze and produce electronic evidence.
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Students gain the skills and knowledge required to configure LAN and WAN networks and to understand the basics of network cybersecurity theory and operation.
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Students in this certificate program learn how to support and maintain the integrity of systems, software, network, storage devices and data directly related to Windows and Linux server operations. Students acquire systems and network administration functions such as installing, integrating, documenting and maintaining software, firmware, computer, networks and storage systems, development and user environments, assisting system users and managing user accounts, and performing technical documentation and process engineering functions.
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If you're interested in earning a four-year degree and want to study this subject, Transfer Studies may be your solution. This distinctive degree is designed to let you choose an area of concentration (or major), while completing your state of Maryland general education requirements.
The Transfer Studies, A.A. allows you to explore different subjects or concentrate on a specific course plan that will best meet your in-state (and even some out-of-state) transfer goals. If you hope to transfer to a specific program or school, one of our advisors can help structure your AACC studies specifically for that purpose. The result? You get a well-rounded associate degree preparing you for further studies and successful career.
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Graduates of AACC’s degree and certificate programs may continue to 4-year programs or enter the workforce. Career options include:
For outlook information about specific careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
AACC is a designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the NSA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The purpose of CAE-CD is to encourage two-year colleges to grow and strengthen their cybersecurity programs.
AACC was the first institution in the nation to be designated a National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) by the Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3). CDFAE is the academic component of a partnership with government to create standards and best practices for digital forensics practitioners, educators and researchers. The goal of the program is to increase the number of qualified digital forensics professionals.
The Information Assurance and Cybersecurity (Associate of Applied Science) program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET. ABET accreditation provides assurance that our degree program meets the quality standards for preparing graduates in the cybersecurity profession.
Graduates in the Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program are expected to achieve the following shortly after graduation:
Enrollment
| Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, Associate Degrees: | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Forensics | 92 | 93 | 102 | 83 |
| Networking | 88 | 93 | 83 | 80 |
| Security | 249 | 235 | 207 | 195 |
Graduates
| Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, Associate Degrees: | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Forensics | 8 | 14 | 17 | 38 |
| Networking | 20 | 17 | 34 | 20 |
| Security | 22 | 58 | 47 | 56 |
Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics department representatives meet biannually with industry partners and agencies, such as DC3, Collins Aerospace (ARINC), Broadcom and PowerTrain Inc., as well as AACC’s director of Information Security. The advisory board examines and improves degree and certificate programs to ensure they are current and relevant to fulfill the growing demands of the cybersecurity and IT related industry sectors. The board members bring an array of technical and management skills and backgrounds that contribute to the development of programs, courses and competencies that lead students into successful careers upon graduation.
If Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics sounds appealing, but you'd like to compare it to other AACC offerings, check out one of these related studies!
By the time Devin Valko graduated from high school, he was halfway through completing an associate degree in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at AACC.
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