Introduction to Cybersecurity (Security+)
Follow a new career path in Cybersecurity
What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is not just a buzzword – it’s one of the fastest growing tech occupations. It refers to keeping computer systems, networks and related data safe from data breaches and harm. Cybersecurity can refer to any technology, process or procedure related to keeping cyber attacks from succeeding.
What do Cybersecurity professionals do?
- Computer networking
- Test, deploy and maintain technology
- Monitor systems for breaches
- Develop and update security protocols
Important: Program prerequisite required for enrollment.
Cybersecurity Program Prerequisite:
Entry into this program requires one of the following:
- Completion of Calbright’s Network Technology program
- CompTIA A+ Network+ certification
- One year of related job experience in any of the following areas, verified and approved by the faculty review panel:
- Network Administrator
- Network Technician
- Network Engineer
- Security Analyst
- Cloud Engineer
- Systems Administrator
Other qualifications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you haven’t fulfilled one of these prerequisites, we encourage you to consider our Information Technology (IT) Support or Network Technology programs.
2
12 weeks
6-9 months
Start any time
TBD
Introductory
English
Key Outcomes
100% Free
Online
Flexibly Paced
Certificate in 1 Year
Overview
Jumpstart Your Cybersecurity Career
In-demand skills for a growing field
According to CompTIA, the projected growth rate for cybersecurity job roles over the next decade is 31%, the fastest rate among tech occupations. Some estimates are even higher. Businesses need trained specialists to combat the costly threat of data security breaches.
Learn the principles and best practices of information technology security and risk management on your way to CompTIA certification and job opportunities in this rapidly expanding field.
The program teaches the core skills necessary for careers in cybersecurity, including the training required to pass the industry-recognized CompTIA Security+ exam.
This program is currently free to California residents.
Important: Program prerequisite required for enrollment.
Cybersecurity Program Prerequisite:
Entry into this program requires one year of prior Information Technology (IT) experience or CompTIA A+ or Network+ certification.
Enrollees must have fulfilled one of the following:
- Completion of Calbright’s Information Technology (IT) Support or Network Technology program
- Proof of CompTIA A+, Network+, or equivalent coursework
- One year of related job experience in any of the following areas, verified and approved by the review panel:
- Helpdesk
- Desktop Technician
- IT/Software Engineering
- DevOps
- Site Reliability Engineer
- Networking
- Telecom Networks
- Outside Field Technician
Other qualifications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you haven’t fulfilled one of these prerequisites, we encourage you to consider our Information Technology (IT) Support program.
Skills you'll gain
Documentation Analysis
How to analyze documentation to offer problem-solving solutions.
Ethical Decision-Making
How to apply ethical behaviors to analytical and decision-making skills.
Risk Management Principles
How to apply principles of organizational information and risk management
InfoSec Issue Analysis
How to analyze a wide variety of technical issues in Information Security
Courses in this Program
Introduction to Cybersecurity (Security+)
This course helps students master a working knowledge of the fundamental principles and topics of information security and risk management, and to demonstrate appropriate diagnostic, risk management, and solution application at the organizational level. This includes hardware, software, processes, communications, applications, and policies and procedures with respect to organizational cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
This course is designed to prepare students for employment in the Information Security field. Students progress through the program by mastering competencies in fundamental principles of information security and risk management, including knowledge and skills required to detect and analyze indicators of malicious activity, implement policy, understand threat intelligence and threat management, respond to attacks and vulnerabilities, perform incident response, execute reporting, and communicate related activity.
Topics Covered
Calbright programs are designed to reflect labor market needs, and are built in collaboration with employers. You’ll build knowledge and skills in the key Cybersecurity areas that businesses need. The program covers these topics and more:
Note: While Calbright programs are flexibly paced, enrollment agreements are limited in duration. Students are enrolled in successive 6-month terms for a maximum program length of three years.
- Security Fundamentals
- Threats & Vulnerabilities
- Network Security
- Identity & Access Management
- Risk Management
- Compliance & Operational Security
- Cryptography / PKI
- IT Architecture
Careers and Outcomes
What can you do with a Cybersecurity certificate from Calbright?
The following entry-level roles are examples of attainable positions with the skill set and industry-recognized credential made possible via Calbright's Cybersecurity program.
Security Specialist
Also known as Cybersecurity Specialists, Security Specialists play an important role in protecting computer systems and data centers from breaches, threats or attacks. This is done by monitoring, scanning and updating systems.
Security Analyst
Security Analysts are depended upon to identify, assess and analyze possible risks as well as make recommendations and implement protective measures to keep digital assets safe.
Security Administrator
A Security Administrator oversees an organization’s entire system. They are ultimately responsible for maintenance as well as developing security policies and protocols that others will use to keep all digital assets protected.
We'll help you get there!
No one should have to be in college alone, and at Calbright you’ve got a team working with you, supporting your success. Whether it’s help with your classes, help with technology, or even someone to help connect you to services you need in your life, we are here to be part of your journey to a better career and help transition you into a job in tech.
Unfilled positions data via CISO MAG and EC-Council University (ECCU) joint study. Median salary and job growth figures via U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and CompTIA.
>$100k
Median starting salary in information security
3.5M
Unfilled positions in Cybersecurity
30%
Expected job growth through 2030
Faculty members
Your Success Team
Our most important job is your success. Our Student Success team connects you with academic counseling and support, tutoring, career services, accessibility services, and more.
“I’ve taken a lot of classes, I’m a lifelong learner, and what I like so much about Calbright is that it has such a holistic approach. That’s different from other self-paced courses I took. The support at Calbright is exceptional.”
“Calbright provided a lot of what I think of as connective tissue, the hands-on labs, the real experience, the support structures. That helped me stay the course. My success now was hard won, and I certainly didn’t do it alone. I had faculty at Calbright who were there to answer every question, not just about the technology but about the career.”
“I have quite a bit of experience with online learning and training, and Calbright’s classes are really good, really enjoyable, and the staff were all great. I really enjoyed being able to get in there and go at my own pace. I charged right into it. And when I graduated, Calbright’s career services helped me rewrite my resume to get a job.”
FAQs
Who can be a student at Calbright?
Calbright is open to all California residents aged 18 years or older who have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
All Californians — regardless of immigration status — are welcome to enroll.
Why should I attend Calbright?
First, our training programs prepare you to earn industry-recognized certifications (via exams offered by third-party providers like CompTIA and Salesforce), proof to employers that you’re ready to succeed in a new career on day one of employment.
Second, every student that completes a program also gets a dedicated team of professional experts that will coach you to be the best version of yourself during your job search.
Third, all of our courses are flexibly-paced and 100% online — designed around your own unique life circumstances so school never gets in the way of other priorities.
Plus, Calbright comes at no out-of-pocket cost to you. Even the cost of the exams to receive industry-recognized certifications (such as the CompTIA A+, Security+, and Salesforce Certified Administrator exams) in your program of choice are covered.
We also offer resources that include (but are not limited to) technology support through our Chromebook and WiFi hotspot lending library; career counseling; and mental health services. All this and more make Calbright a great choice if you’re looking to level up your skillset.
It is really free? How?
Yes! All of our programs are currently free thanks to public funding from the State of California. That includes program tuition, testing costs, and technology resources like laptops and WiFi devices from our lending library.
Because our programs are free, we don’t need to offer financial aid.
Is Calbright accredited?
Yes! Calbright was granted accreditation by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission in July 2023, more than a year ahead of the deadline provided in the College’s founding legislation. Accreditation is an important consumer protection that validates the integrity and quality of the College’s academic programs and operations.
How long does it take to enroll and start classes?
Starting an application is easy! If you’re ready to begin your journey with us, click here. If you still have questions or would like to get in contact another way, you’ve got plenty of options.
You can always reach out to success@calbright.org and someone from our team will get back with you via email ASAP.
You can also use the webchat function on our homepage, call us at 1-833-956-0225, or text us at (510) 330-1817.
How long will the Cybersecurity program take to complete?
What job training programs do you offer? What makes them unique?
We currently have seven online, flexibly-paced training programs: IT Support, Cybersecurity, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Platform Administration, Data Analysis, Project Management, Network Technology*, and Medical Coding**.
These programs are the first of many, with each fitting into wraparound services designed to prepare you for success in the job market.
*Please note that Network Technology is a pilot program and currently closed to new enrollees.
**Please note that we are currently not accepting new applications into the Medical Coding program.
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