Program Tips

Cybersecurity professionals are the first line of defense against the digital dangers that threaten business technology and systems. This rapidly growing field needs qualified, well-trained candidates. CVTC’s IT - Cybersecurity Analyst advanced technical certificate is designed to teach you the technical knowledge to address the evolving world of cybersecurity challenges.

WHAT IS AN ADVANCED TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE?

A new offering to CVTC, an advanced technical certificate, or ATC, is an extension or continuation of an associate or higher degree program. Students who have already completed an applicable degree and/or working experience in a designated industry and are looking for additional specialized education to support their career goals can apply to an ATC program. Courses in these certificates are designed to build upon the previous educational and work experience of students to advance them to the next level in their industry.

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic Advisors assist students with developing academic plans based on their degree evaluations.  Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing student's potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student.  Student Success Specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career.  Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals.  More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Technology Requirements

Students are expected to have access to a computer/device with reliable Wi-Fi at home/off-campus to complete their online course hours and homework. It is recommended that your home internet speeds meet or exceed 10 Mbs. Use of a VPN (virtual private network) is required for this program. The computer must meet the minimum requirements (see below) or better to be used for the duration of the program. Courses may also require the current version of the software utilized in class, along with the necessary hardware to support it. Check with the program instructors for more information.

Minimum Computer Specifications: Windows 10 PC or Laptop,  2 Ghz. Quad core CPU, 8 GB of RAM, 200 GB of available storage (Prefer SSD over HDD)

Academic Support

Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available on MyCVTC (Student Services & Support).

Computer Skills

Before beginning this program, experience with the basic use of current Windows operating systems, word processing, and presentation software is highly recommended. Students that are uncomfortable using the above-mentioned software should take 103-102 Microsoft Office Suite, 2 credits, before starting the program or during the first semester. Students should also be able to type at least 20 words per minute, accurately and without looking at the keyboard.

Age of IT Credit

Students are strongly encouraged to complete all their core IT courses within a 7 year timeframe from the time they start their first semester core IT courses. Students who do not complete IT core courses within this timeframe may be subject to further review to determine if course repeats are necessary to progress through and to complete the program. This is to ensure knowledge of current industry concepts in a continuously changing field.

Certifications

The cost of the following professional certification exams is included in the course fees for the corresponding courses:

Professional Certification Exam

Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) - 151-106 Cloud Security Essentials

EC-Council - Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) - 151-110 Threat Detection & Prevention

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) - 151-113 Cybersecurity Response Management 

CVTC is a Pearson VUE Test Center. Pearson VUE delivers exams through the world's most comprehensive and secure network of test centers in 175 countries. Scholarships may be available to help defray the cost of completing these additional certifications.

Certification Preparation Software

The IT-NS program utilizes CompTIA's certification preparation software to assist students' study and preparation for several CompTIA certification exams that students will take as they work toward their degree. The cost for each specific TestOut software subscription will be applied as a fee at registration to each applicable course. The TestOut subscription is valid for eighteen months from the time of purchase.

Access to Discounted and/or No-Cost Software

During the second week of the semester, all IT students will receive an invitation from Microsoft. This partnership between CVTC and Microsoft gives the student access to several software titles such as Visio, Windows 10, Windows Server, and Azure services. Students will be able to download most MS software with the exception of MS Office (see WISC below). The use of this software is free and students may continue to use the software after graduation for their personal use. CVTC also provides students access to popular virtualization software from VMware.

Students have access to discounted software using the WISC (Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog) from the following website: http://wiscsoftware.wisc.edu/wisc/. Please note that available software titles, as well as student discounts, change from time to time. Students can take advantage of the discounted software titles once they have received a CVTC email account.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Financial Aid Consideration

This program does not qualify for financial aid.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Postpartum

CVTC does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's medical provider, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students are encouraged to contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to set up an appointment as soon as the pregnancy is known.

Last Updated: March 8, 2024 @ 2:41 p.m.