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Program Facts 
Prepare for a career in the emerging field of cybersecurity with this 45-credit-hour
professional certificate program. You will learn the principles of cybersecurity and
gain experience implementing cybersecurity systems and processes. Take classes in
Computer Networking, Digital Forensics, Server Administration, and more.
Cybersecurity jobs are in high demand across the country, and this is a rapidly growing field that touches every industry, including information technology, business, banking, and healthcare. Upon graduation from the program, you will qualify for advanced-level positions such as a source analyst, mission assessment specialist, target developer, and threat/warning analyst.
Pending HLC approval. This 45 credit-hour certificate program provides students with experience implementing cybersecurity systems and processes, lead administrative task and investigation data collection. These courses will help students prepare for the CompTIA ITF+, Network+, Linux+, Security+, Cloud+, PenTest+, Project+, Microsoft Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure, ISACA CISM, EC-Council CHFI, Microsoft 365 Administrator, and ISC2 SSCP certification exams and qualify for advanced-level jobs as a source analyst, mission assessment specialist, exploitation analyst, target developer, target network analyst, and threat/warning analyst.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS 106 | Computer Logic and Programming Technology 1 | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with a comprehensive introduction to computer programming using a currently popular programming language. Includes program logic, program structure, subroutines/functions/methods, variables, conditions, loops, arrays, files/data access, and object-oriented programming. A variety of programs are created throughout the course. Prerequisite: Math placement into MTH 101 or higher. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| CIS 211 | IT Project Management | 3 |
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Description: Provides students with a comprehensive introduction to Information Technology project management. Includes project selection, initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closure. Students gain practical project management skills and competencies related to Information Technology project management. Activities are performed using a currently popular project management software package. Aligns to the CompTIA Project+ certification. Prerequisite: CAS 105, CAS 115 and CAS 125 with grades of C or better, OR CAS 160 OR CIS 101 OR WEB 110 OR NET 105, with a grade of C or better; AND math placement into MTH 101 or higher. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| CIS 226 | Programming for Cybersecurity | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with hands-on experience to build upon foundational programming skills to develop Python scripts and programs for modern security professionals to monitor, protect against, contain, respond to and recover from cyber attacks. Includes Python concepts used to facilitate cybersecurity initiatives. Prerequisite: CIS 106 or CSC 121 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 101 | Orientation to Cybersecurity Careers | 1 |
|
Description: Provides an overview of the cybersecurity industry and the different careers and work roles in the field. Learn the major skills and knowledge required for cybersecurity professions and associate employment skills and knowledge sets to specific classes in the Harper College Cybersecurity AAS Degree and certificate programs. Covers issues facing the cybersecurity industry, cybersecurity professional organizations, and industry credentials. Includes cybersecurity workforce competencies, review of academic degrees, certificates, and credentials. Covers navigating the college environment, learning and academic strategies, and career development. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 105 | Information Technology Fundamentals | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with the skills required to identify and explain the basics of computing, IT, infrastructure, application and software, software development, database fundamentals and security. Contains basic computer maintenance and support principles. Includes computer science related topics including programming concepts and principles of software development and database design. Aligns to the CompTIA IT (ITF+) Fundamentals certification. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 121 | Computer Networking | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with hands-on experience implementing and maintaining computer networks. Includes networking standards, architecture, models, protocols, operations, security and troubleshooting using current network operating systems. Introduces IP addressing and Ethernet fundamentals. Course prepares students to build simple local area networks (LANs) that integrate IP addressing schemes and foundational network security. Aligns to the CompTIA Network+ certification. Prerequisite: CIS 101, NET 105, or WEB 110 with a grade of C or better. NET 105 can be taken concurrently with NET 121. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 240 | Linux Server Administration | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with a comprehensive introduction to Linux Server administration. Includes installation, configuration, and administration of a Linux Server environment. Covers user management, hardware and software configuration, and security as well as network services configuration. Includes creating simple shell scripts, booting into different run levels, controlling services, identifying processes, and virtual machines. Aligns to the CompTIA Linux+ Certification. Prerequisite: NET 121 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 260 | Windows Server Administration | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with a comprehensive introduction to Windows Server Administration. Includes installation, configuration, administration, and security of a Windows Server environment. Learn to configure network services including DNS, DHCP, ADS, printing, and network routing. Implement and manage Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) in on-premises and hybrid networking infrastructure and manage storage and file services. Aligns to the Microsoft Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Certification. Prerequisite: NET 121 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 262 | Windows 365 Administration | 3 |
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Description: Provides students with the skills necessary to deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant. Implement and manage identity and access systems. Administer, manage and monitor security, threats and compliance in Microsoft 365 and hybrid environments. Includes identity synchronization, and security and compliance. Aligns to the Microsoft 365 Administrator Certification. Prerequisite: NET 121 with grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 280 | Cybersecurity Fundamentals | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with a hands-on foundation of essential cybersecurity concepts, principles, trends, practices, technologies, and compliance. Includes topics related to threats, attacks, vulnerabilities, risk, emerging technologies, security architecture and design, identity, and access management, risk management, cryptography, and secure communications. Aligns to the CompTIA Security+ Certification. Prerequisite: NET 121 or NET 122 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 281 | Enterprise and Network Security | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with basic network security protocols and advanced enterprise security strategies with an emphasis on practical, real-world applications. Includes security concepts, principles, and practices. Covers host, end devices, servers, networks, wireless and mobile devices, virtual systems, and cloud-based systems. Prepares students with the skills to identify, prevent, and mitigate security threats in network environments and enterprise settings. Aligns to the ISC2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner Certification. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in NET280 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 282 | Cybersecurity Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with an overview of the critical aspects of cybersecurity governance, risk management, and compliance. Equips students with knowledge of current cybersecurity laws, regulations, and best practices. Explores various frameworks and standards used in information security management. Covers regulatory acts. Includes active monitoring techniques and security auditing, compliance, and network monitoring tools. Aligns to the ISACA Certified Information Security Manager Certification. Prerequisite: NET280 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 283 | Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | 3 |
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Description: Provides students with hands-on skills required of an ethical hacker using a variety of penetration testing tools. Focuses on hacking techniques and technology from an offensive perspective. Covers advanced security concepts, hacking techniques, exploits, automated programs, and defensive recommendations. Includes both passive and active reconnaissance techniques, identifying vulnerabilities across networks, systems, and applications. Explore ethical and legal considerations as well as implications. Aligns to the CompTIA PenTest+ Certifications. Prerequisite: NET 240 and NET 280 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 284 | Digital Forensics | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with hands-on experience preserving, identifying, extracting, documenting and interpreting computer data. Examine computer data for evidence of a crime or violations of corporate policy. Includes performing forensic investigation on Windows, Unix and Linux file systems. Covers evidence handling, chain of custody, collection, and recovery of computer data using forensic software and methods. Align to the EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) Certification. PrerequisiteNET 240: LINUX SERVER ADMINISTRATION with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 290 | Cloud Computing | 3 |
|
Description: Provides students with hands-on experience in cloud computing. Examines cloud applications, security protocols as well as associated services and deployment models. Reviews system virtualization and its relation to cloud-based computing. Covers managing cloud resources, from planning, provisioning, implementing and deploying cloud based applications. Introduces cloud system disaster recovery. Includes best practices for cloud migration, governance, and networking. Aligns to the CompTIA Cloud+ Certification. Prerequisite: Prior or Concurrent enrollment in NET 240 or NET 260 or NET 280 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NET 298 | Cybersecurity Capstone | 2 |
|
Description: Provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of cybersecurity theory, principles, best industry practices, methodologies, tools, and technologies. Expects students to use scholarly research methods and leverage their investigative, problem solving, and research skills to study and design a cybersecurity project that addresses a real-world issue or challenge. Guidance and support are provided along with graded evaluation and feedback from their faculty throughout the semester. Prerequisite: CIS 226, NET 280, NET 282, NET 283, NET 284 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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1 - The prerequisite for CIS 106 is placement into MTH 101 or higher. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/mathplacement.php
● Cybersecurity Foundations: Understand and apply essential cybersecurity concepts, principles, trends, practices,
technologies, and compliance.
● Server Administration: Demonstrate effective installation, configuration, and management of server environments
for Windows and Linux operating
systems.
● Programming: Develop Python scripts and programs for modern security professionals to monitor,
protect against, contain, respond to, and recover from cyber attacks.
● Project Management: Ability to effectively oversee IT projects through all stages of project development,
from project selection and planning to
monitoring and closure.
● Industry Best Practices: Understand and apply standard methodologies, tools, and technologies in real-world
environments.
Students interested in cybersecurity may also be interested in:
● Cybersecurity AAS Degree
● Forensics Technician Certificate
● Support Specialist Certificate
● Request information
● Attend an information session
● Apply
For more information about cybersecurity courses at Harper College, contact Admission
Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.