Network Defense Certificate of Achievement

This certificate provides graduates with the skills needed to defend networks and information systems against cyber-attacks. Students receive extensive hands-on experience and develop the knowledge and abilities necessary to succeed in protection of an organization’s data and operations. It is a rigorous program designed to help students master the fundamentals of cybersecurity by applying industry-accepted and emerging practices to solve real-world security problems. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to evaluate security trends, recognize best practices, and understand Information Technology security products and threats. This program also provides preparation for several nationally recognized, high demand certifications in the field of Cybersecurity.

5 students per year

This program prepares students for entry-level Cybersecurity positions in Network Defense across industry and government. Upon completion students will have gained or be ready to attain industry recognized and DOD approved (per DOD 8570) certifications from CompTIA including A+, Network+, Security+, and CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst+).

The following course sequences that must be followed:

1. CSC117 is a prerequisite for and must be taken before CSC118

While not requirements, this program is built as part of a series of stackable certificates of achievement offered/to be offered at Mendocino College. These include the existing "IT Specialist" certificate, this proposed Cybersecurity certificates for Digital Forensics culminating in the propose Associate of Science in Cybersecurity.