Entry level Cyber Security professionals will often begin their careers understanding and then supporting their company’s networks before moving on to playing a vital role in protecting their company’s IT infrastructure and data.  In this dynamic, constantly evolving field, employees must be committed to staying abreast of new developments and threats in order to defend their environments. The work also includes the responsibility of tracking perpetrators after an attack has occurred. This is a career that will constantly evolve.

1. Cyber Security is a fast growing profession as more companies realize the need to protect their operations and data in order to avoid negative business, social and legal repercussions.
2. Attacks and theft of data can be devastating to any company’s ability to do business. A rewarding career in Cyber Security is one where professionals anticipate these threats and react accordingly.
3. Our program combines a substantial amount of network training in addition to the main cyber security related topics.

Students will:

• develop basic networking and computer skills, specifically as they relate to industry environments and practices
• demonstrate knowledge of Operating Systems fundamentals and configure and utilize software packages
• demonstrate an understanding of network security and forensics and perform computer forensic analysis
• develop an understanding of the social, institutional, and legal issues associated with cybersecurity and document appropriate procedures for handling case evidence

Because IT operations can dramatically vary in hardware, software and network configurations, many large companies will provide their own Cyber Security training to those that have already obtained the basic foundation.

It is important that students stay in close touch with their advisors and remain in sequence with the course of study because some of the classes are only offered once per academic year.

All of our networking teachers are Cisco Academy certified instructors.

The industry respected EnCase software is used to teach the Computer and Network Forensic courses.

While the intent is to prepare the graduate for entry level employment, some students do transfer to a 4-year school to earn a higher degree in Cyber Security.

Admission to this program requires that students be high school graduates or have high school equivalency diplomas (HSEs). If students are not high school graduates, they may be eligible for admission to the College's 24 Credit Hour Program. If students are home schooled, they may be eligible for admission.

Hudson Valley Educational Consortium students from Sullivan County Community College or Ulster Community College who plan to register for Cyber Security courses must apply to and be accepted into the program by the following dates: August 15 for a Fall semester; and December 15 for a Spring semester.

SUNY Orange has special relationships with upper-level colleges and universities for transfer.These transfer institutions include:

• St. John’s University

Entry level career opportunities exist in the following areas:

• network administrator
• network security specialist
• computer crime investigation

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The Cyber Security program is available during the daytime at the Middletown campus. Most of the required courses have daytime and evening sections from which to choose, but of the five required “cyber security courses, only one of them is offered in the evening each semester (on a rotating basis).