What is Cybersecurity?
The Cybersecurity program (CYS) that will prepare students to design, develop, and maintain secure computer systems and provide security for the users they service. Students in this program will study cybersecurity as it relates to hardware, software, user, and data security. Tracks are available in Secure Coding, Network Defense, Cyber Forensics, Cyber Science.
Cybersecurity is a discipline that is needed in every aspect of our society. Organizations that do electronic business are required to keep the information that they handle secure from hackers and others. Many organizations are just identifying the need for Cybersecurity professionals. Data and networks have to be secured to do business in the world today. Businesses often hire consulting agencies or hire Cybersecurity specialists to secure networks.
Our curriculum introduces:
- Forensics
- Ethical Hacking
- Pentesting
- Secure Coding
- Cryptography
Then, as you get further along into your studies, you'll be able to specialize in one area. Check out our Specialty Tracks below.
Whether you have computer experience or are looking to refresh your computer skills, you need to be in CYS at BCTC.
Student Activities
The CIT Computer Club and Bluegrass Women in Technology are two student groups that meet outside of the classroom, and BCTC faculty, staff, and students are active in outreach activities that spread awareness and enjoyment of technology year-round.
Specialty Track Information
In addition to core courses, students take specialty courses for their selected track.
See a CIT advisor for more information about core classes and available tracks.
Specialty Tracks
Science to Success Scholarship
The Science to Success Scholarship awards $10,000 per year to eligible students for two years maximum.
To learn more about eligibility, requirements, and to apply, please visit the scholarship webpage (new window).
What are my career choices?
Every field needs employees with computer knowledge. Cybersecurity jobs are among the fastest growing in Kentucky and nationwide.
National Occupational Outlook
What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?
The catalog describes the course requirements for completing the credential. Students are required to schedule an appointment with their assigned academic advisor to ensure achievement of their academic goals.
- Secure Coding – Fundamentals certificate introduces programming concepts with secure coding principles and practices by focusing
on developing software that is free from security vulnerabilities. This certificate
provides a comprehensive study of secure software development. Emphasis will be placed
on skills required to design, develop, and analyze secure software. Presents concepts
which meet national standards in secure software development.
- Secure Coding – Advanced certificate provides students with a more in-depth study of secure programming, data structures,
modern programming languages, and secure web application development. Emphasis will
be placed on skills required to determine security issues and vulnerabilities and
mitigate such vulnerabilities. Presents concepts which meet national standards in
secure software development.
- Secure Coding – CIT Bridge certificate provides CIT students with cybersecurity secure coding principles and practices.
Presents concepts which meet national standards in secure software development focusing
primarily on developing secure code and not “how to program” which is taught in CIT
programming courses.
- Cyber Network and Forensics - Fundamentals certificate provides fundamental concepts related to defending computer resources, including
networks, and understanding the relationships between cyber defense and forensics
(responding to breaches).
- Network Defense - Advanced certificate will prepare students with knowledge of security and forensics using network and
cloud technologies. Students in this program will study network security, authentication,
and ethical hacking as it relates to network and cloud environments.
- Cyber Forensics - Advanced certificate presents a study of digital forensics principles and related laws, how to respond
to security breaches, how to secure data, devices, and networks for forensics investigations,
and how to write the conclusions of a forensics investigation (reporting). Presents
concepts on computer forensics, Mobile Device Forensics, network and cloud forensics
and ethical hacking from a forensics view.
- Cyber Defense - Fundamentals certificate presents fundamentals concepts for the field of cybersecurity. This certificate
is specifically designed to meet the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department
for Homeland (NSA/DHS) security criteria for schools who wish to apply to be a Center
of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) for two-year colleges.
- Cryptography - Fundamentals certificate presents a study of cryptography. Presents concepts related to historical and contemporary encryption techniques and algorithms, mathematical concepts used with cryptography, and software development for cryptographic algorithms.
Length of Program
Completion of the program should take two years, assuming that you maintain full-time enrollment status.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
