By reading this, you’re likely using a device and accessing data needing care and protection. Would you like to learn how to prevent and detect threats and vulnerabilities, and how to respond to the ones that slip through the cracks?
AACC’s Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics programs teach students about threats and vulnerabilities, prevention, detection, response and security management surrounding information technology. Both seasoned information technology students and newcomers to the field can get started through AACC’s Department of Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics.
AACC holds the reputation of being the first community college in the country to be certified by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense. For more information, contact Mary Wallingsford, AACC's CAE point of contact, at mewallingsford@aacc.edu.
We're proud to be recognized as a leader in cybersecurity education. As such, the department offers an associate degree with three concentrations and eight certificates. Courses, events and clubs provide students with hands-on experience using current tools and techniques, all guided by faculty with experience in the field.
Learn more about our area of study.
Associate Professor Adrian Pringle, Program Chair for Networking and Cloud
410-777-2492
CALT 348
alpringle@aacc.edu
Associate Professor Dawn Ryan, Program Chair for Digital Forensics
410-777-7055
CALT 256
drblanche@aacc.edu
Assistant Professor William Seabrook, Program Chair for Cybersecurity
410-777-2170
CALT 338
wdseabrook@aacc.edu
Assistant Dean Angelo Thalassinidis, Ph.D. (Interim Academic Chair)
410-777-2328
aethalassinidis@aacc.edu
CALT-242
Assistant Professor Bryan Deehring
410-777-2133
CALT 266
brdeehring@aacc.edu
Professor Carrie Leary
410-777-7088
CALT 338
csleary@aacc.edu
Associate Professor Joseph "Max" McQuighan
410-777-7242
CALT 348
jmmcquighan@aacc.edu
Associate Professor Adrian Pringle
410-777-2492
CALT 348
alpringle@aacc.edu
Associate Professor Dawn Ryan
410-777-7055
CALT 256
drblanche@aacc.edu
Assistant Professor William Seabrook
410-777-2170
CALT 338
wdseabrook@aacc.edu
Professor Kasia Taylor
410-777-7096
CALT 250
ktaylor2@aacc.edu
Associate Professor Mary Wallingsford
410-777-7173
CALT 248
mewallingsford@aacc.edu
Siamak Salmasi, office manager
410-777-7151
skhalilzadehsal@aacc.edu
CALT 234
Assistance is available for current technology students in the open lab in CALT 204. Be sure to review the schedule posted in the doorway for the current hours of operation.
Enhance your computer science knowledge and skills, have fun, and experiment with current and emerging technologies in the Computer Science Club. Technical demonstrations, hands-on experiences and guest speaker events are a few of the activities the club offers. Raspberry Pi and Arduino units are just a couple of examples of the technology that our club, which is supported by the Computer Science department faculty, is exploring.
This club meets to discuss topics in cybersecurity and practice skills. All students are welcome! Club members also compete in regional and national cyber challenges. This club is supported by Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics department faculty.
Cybersafe at AACC provides resources to keep you in the know about protecting your digital lives. Whether that's learning how to report a scam or how to avoid having your identity stolen, we offer events like Data Privacy Day and Cybersecurity Awareness Month to ensure you have the resources you need to remain safe online.
High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA) student chapters foster, promote and encourage the study of criminal investigations involving advanced technologies and security by the academic community. Membership is limited to students majoring in computer science; forensics, criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, accounting, auditing or similar program of study with a minimum grade point average established by the International Executive Committee (IEC).
Consider expanding your learning beyond the classroom by becoming an intern. Whether you are looking to apply learning to a career or transfer to a four-year program, internships provide valuable experience and industry contacts.
Want to get paid while completing your four-year degree? NSA has a coop program for students majoring in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science or cybersecurity. In this program, you alternate between one term working at NSA with full pay and one term in college. Applicants must be full-time students and either second term freshmen or sophomores. For a complete list of internships and coop opportunities at NSA, Defense Intelligence Agency and National Geospatial-Intel Agency, visit U.S. Intelligence Careers.
For information about technology internships or the NSA coop, contact our Internship Program Coordinator. To schedule an appointment with the Internship Coordinator, please visit:
Current technology students can seek job search assistance, including résumé writing and interview preparation by visiting our Career and Community Services page.
The Cybersecurity, Networking & Digital Forensics department is excited to share the following grant and scholarship opportunities with our students.
Are you a veteran or have you already earned a bachelor's degree? Or do you know someone who might be interested in a scholarship for learning cybersecurity? A grant recently awarded to Anne Arundel Community College by the National Science Foundation (NSF) covers tuition, book costs and an annual stipend for students interested in studying cybersecurity. The CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) grant is designed to increase and strengthen the information assurance workforce that protects the government's critical information infrastructure. A limited number of scholarships are available to AACC students, which will be offered on a competitive basis. AACC CyberCorps® scholars will complete an associate degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or other approved cybersecurity related program.
If you are interested in starting your cybersecurity career with the U.S. government, this might be the opportunity for you! Scholarship For Service (SFS) is a unique program designed to recruit and train the next generation of information technology professionals, industrial control system security professionals, and security managers to meet the needs of the cybersecurity mission for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments. This program provides scholarships for up to three years of support for cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate (MS or PhD) education. The scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation. In return for their scholarships, recipients must agree to work after graduation for the U.S. Government, in a position related to cybersecurity, for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.
University of Maryland University College offers eligible Maryland community college graduates the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree at a significantly reduced cost with the Completion Scholarship. Award recipients can complete a bachelor's degree program for $12,000 or less, well below the typical tuition cost for in-state students. If you've earned an associate's degree from a Maryland community college, you are guaranteed admission to UMUC, as long as your conferral date is listed on your transcript.
Learn about the Completion Scholarship for MD Community College Graduates. >>
By the time Devin Valko graduated from high school, he was halfway through completing an associate degree in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at AACC.
Read His Story