Information Technology – Systems Security (Cybersecurity)
The IT Systems Security program at ACC prepares individuals for employment in the exciting field of cybersecurity and networking. Students will learn about Windows® and Linux system administration, Cisco® Routing & Switching, cyber exploits and methods of mitigation, and technology crimes and law. Concrete skills such as router and switch configuration, device hardening, cybercrime investigation techniques, and security policy design are emphasized.
Alamance Community College is an authorized Cisco Networking Academy institution. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Networking Academy students worldwide gain the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills needed to build, design, and maintain secure and reliable networks. These students are both improving their career trajectories and also filling the global demand for ICT professionals. The IT Systems Security degree combines NetAcad courseware with Linux and Cyber Crime curricula to prepare students for today’s security challenges.
Course work includes design, installation, configuration, and management of network infrastructure technologies and network operating systems. Emphasis is placed on the implementation and management of network software and the implementation and management of hardware such as switches and routers.
Students completing this program will be prepared for multiple industry certification exams including:
- Cisco CCNA
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Linux+
- LPIC
- ITS-Information Technology Specialist (e.g. Cybersecurity, Database, Networking, Python)*
- MOS (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)*
*MOS and ITS exams are free for ACC students
The MTA exam program has been discontinued by Certiport.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Develop an information technology security policy for an organization
- Use a network simulation tool (e.g. PacketTracer) to prototype and troubleshoot a network topology
- Develop and execute a Linux shell script to automate an administrative task
- Review system logs after a documented event in order to determine the compromised host and identify any malicious or corrupted files
- Give a professional, technical presentation pertaining to cybersecurity
Articulation Agreements
To learn more about universities we have partnered with to allow ACC IT course credit to seamlessly be applied towards a Bachelors degree, visit our Articulation Agreements page.
Suggested Course Sequence - Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
First Fall Semester
| Course# | Course Name | Contact Hours | Credit Hours |
| WBL-110 | World of Work | 1 | 1 |
| MAT-121 or higher | Algebra/Trigonometry | 4 | 3 |
| CIS-110 | Introduction to Computers | 4 | 3 |
| CTI-110 | Web, Programming, and Database Foundation | 4 | 3 |
| CTI-120 | Network and Security Foundation | 4 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 17 | 13 | |
First Spring Semester
| Course# | Course Name | Contact Hours | Credit Hours |
| CCT-231 | Technology Crimes & Law | 3 | 3 |
| CIS-115 | Introduction to Programming & Logic | 5 | 3 |
| NET-125 | Introduction to Networks | 5 | 3 |
| NOS-120 | Linux/UNIX Single User | 4 | 3 |
| NOS-130 | Windows Single User | 4 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 21 | 15 | |
First Summer Semester
| Course# | Course Name | Contact Hours | Credit Hours |
| ENG-111 | Writing & Inquiry | 3 | 3 |
| NET-126 | Routing & Switching | 5 | 3 |
| SEC-110 | Security Concepts | 4 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 6 | 6 | |
Second Fall Semester
| Course# | Course Name | Contact Hours | Credit Hours |
| CTS-115 | Information Systems Business Concepts | 3 | 3 |
| NOS-220 | Linux/Unix Admin I | 4 | 3 |
| NOS-230 | Windows Administration I | 4 | 3 |
| NET-225 | Enterprise Networking | 5 | 3 |
| See Catalog | Social/Behavioral Science Elective | 3 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 19 | 15 | |
Second Spring Semester
| Course# | Course Name | Contact Hours | Credit Hours |
| CCT-289 or WBL-XXX |
Cybersecurity Capstone Project Work Based Learning |
7 60 |
3 |
| ENG-115 or ENG-114 or |
Oral Communications Professional Research & Reporting |
3 | 3 |
| COM-231 | Public Speaking | 5 | 3 |
| SEC-160 | Security Administration I | 4 | 3 |
| See Catalog | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 22 | 15 | |
| Grand Total | 64 | |||
Suggested Course Sequence - Diploma
First Fall Semester
| Course# | Course Name | Contact Hours | Credit Hours |
| WBL-110 | World of Work | 1 | 1 |
| CIS-110 | Introduction to Computers | 4 | 3 |
| CTI-110 | Web, Programming, and Database Foundation | 4 | 3 |
| CTI-120 | Network and Security Foundation | 4 | 3 |
| MAT-121 or higher | Algebra/Trigonometry | 4 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 17 | 13 | |
First Spring Semester
| Course# | Course Name | Contact Hours | Credit Hours |
| CIS-115 | Intro to Programming & Logic | 5 | 3 |
| NET-125 | Introduction to Networks | 5 | 3 |
| NOS-120 | Linux/UNIX Single User | 4 | 3 |
| CCT-231 | Technology Crimes & Law | 3 | 3 |
| NOS-130 | Windows Single User | 4 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 21 | 15 | |
First Summer Semester
| Course# | Course Name | Contact Hours | Credit Hours |
| ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | 3 |
| NET-126 | Routing & Switching | 5 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 8 | 6 | |
Second Fall Semester
| Course# | Course Name | Contact Hours | Credit Hours |
| NOS-220 | Linux/Unix Admin I | 4 | 3 |
| NET-225 | Enterprise Networking | 5 | 3 |
| SEC-110 | Security Concepts | 4 | 3 |
| SEC-160 | Security Admin I | 4 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 17 | 12 | |
| Grand Total | 46 | |||
Career Options
Graduates may find employment in entry-level jobs as,
Security Analysts
Cyber Threat Responders
Local Area Network Managers
Network Operators
Network Analysts
Network Technicians