Information Technology: Systems Security Certificate

The Systems Security certificate will prepare individuals to monitor, manage and mitigate the common cyber security risks that business systems face today. It uses a comprehensive approach that includes rigorous training in process documentation, incident response planning and drills, and security assessments. The certificate centers on best-practice system administration principles guided by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education framework.

Upon successful completion of this certificate, individuals will be able to develop security plans, responses, and assessments in accordance with industry standards in preparation for the CompTIA Security+, and the SSCP IT Administration Exam. This will establish a pathway to pursue certifications such as SSCP, CCSP, HCISPP, and CISSP once they gain work experience in the field.

Specific Requirements

Courses requiring a grade of "C" or better: CTI, NET, NOS, SEC

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
CTI-120		3
This course introduces students to the Network concepts, including networking terminology and protocols, local and wide area networks, and network standards. Emphasis is placed on securing information systems and the various implementation policies. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic tasks related to networking mathematics, terminology, media, and protocols. View course details for Network & Sec Foundation ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
SEC-110		3
This course introduces the concepts and issues related to securing information systems and the development of policies to implement information security controls. Topics include the historical view of networking and security, security issues, trends, security resources, and the role of policy, people, and processes in information security. Upon completion, students should be able to identify information security risks, create an information security policy, and identify processes to implement and enforce the policy. View course details for Security Concepts ‌‌
NET-125		3
This course introduces the networking field. Emphasis is placed on network terminology and protocols, local-area networks, wide-area networks, OSI model, cabling, router programming, Ethernet, IP addressing, and network standards. Upon completion, students should be able to perform tasks related to networking mathematics, terminology, and models, media, Ethernet, subnetting, and TCP/IP Protocols. This is the first course in the Cisco Networking Academy’s CCNA sequence. View course details for Introduction to Networks ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
SEC-160		3
This course provides an overview of security administration and fundamentals of designing security architectures. Topics include networking technologies, TCP/IP concepts, protocols, network traffic analysis, monitoring, and security best practices. Upon completion, students should be able to identify normal network traffic using network analysis tools and design basic security defenses. View course details for Security Administration I ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
CCT-121		4
This course introduces the fundamental principles of computer crime investigation processes. Topics include crime scene/incident processing, information gathering techniques, data retrieval, collection and preservation of evidence, preparation of reports and court presentations. Upon completion, students should be able to identify cyber crime activity and demonstrate proper investigative techniques to process the scene and assist in case prosecution. View course details for Computer Crime Invest ‌‌

Total Credit Hours Required:

Curriculum is based on the 2023-24 catalog.

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours are required in the following categories:

Six hours from Communication
Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

Communication	Humanities & Fine Arts	Social & Behavioral Science	Natural Science & Mathematics
COM-110	ART-111	ECO-251	BIO-161
COM-120	ART-114	ECO-252	BIO-163
COM-231	ART-115	HIS-111	BIO-168
ENG-110	HUM-110	HIS-112	MAT-110
ENG-111	HUM-115	HIS-131	MAT-121
ENG-112	MUS-110	HIS-132	MAT-143
ENG-114	MUS-112	POL-120	MAT-152
	PHI-215	PSY-150	MAT-171
	PHI-240	SOC-210	PHY-110/110A
		SOC-225	PHY-121

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

Six hours in English Composition
Six to nine hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Three to eight hours in Mathematics
Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

Six hours in English Composition
Six hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
12 hours in Mathematics
12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

Six hours in English Composition
Six hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Three to four hours in Mathematics
Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will
learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

Students will demonstrate information literacy.
Students will critique works of human expression.
Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

Students will identify processes.
Students will analyze problems.
Students will interpret the results.
Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.