Cybersecurity Career and Technology Education

CERTIFIED CYBER ANALYST/OPERATOR CERTIFICATE 

Graduates of the Certified Cyber Analyst/Operator program who complete the program in good academic standing and score a comprehensive grade of 80% or higher will receive the Certified Cyber Analyst/Operator Certificate by UMBC Training Centers.

COLLEGE CREDIT RECOMMENDATION 

For students pursuing a degree, this program has been approved by the American Council on Education’s (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service for 15 semester hours in Information Systems or Computer Science at the baccalaureate level.

HANDS-ON HOURS 

UMBC Training Centers follows the practitioner-scholar model. Up to 50% of classroom hours are hands-on interactive labs and projects. 

CAREER RESOURCES

While the core focus of this program is to prepare students with the technical skills and credentials required to begin a career in information technology or cybersecurity, throughout the program there are also career resources made available to students, such as:

1. Career Workshops 
2. Career Resource Days 
3. Connections with regional employers and recruiters 
4. Invitations to local career events put on by program partners 

Candidates who already have experience in the information technology field or have a technical degree may be eligible for our Cyber Apprenticeship Program.

EXPERIENCE

The Certified Cyber Analyst/Operator program is designed for candidates with a variety of professional experiences, including both those with and without any technical experience. Students include those who want a foothold in a growing industry and those with IT experience who want to accelerate their career in a meaningful way. 70% of our students are employed within 6 months of graduating from the program and others continue on to advanced industry degrees. Our students come from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of professional experiences. 

This program prepares candidates for the following cybersecurity job roles, as defined by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE):

1. Incident Analyst/Responder
2. Cybersecurity Specialist/Technician
3. Cybersecurity Analyst
4. Penetration & Vulnerability Tester

INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS

The content areas in the Certified Cyber Analyst/Operator program align with industry recognized certifications. The program will help prepare students to sit for the following exams: :

1. CompTIA A+ : Computer Basics
2. CompTIA Network+ : TCP/IP and Networking Fundamentals
3. CompTIA Security+ : Information Assurance Fundamentals

Professional Development

1. PRE-ETS
2. Introduction To Cyber Security I
3. Introduction To Cyber Security II
4. Introduction To Cyber Security III

Workforce Development

Students are always enrolled in workforce development programming throughout the duration of all courses. Workforce development topics include

1. Life Skills I
2. Life Skills II
3. Life Skills III

Academic Development

KP Believes that the best place to build KSA for students eligible for K12 public education is the optimal resource for academic development. KP collaborates with school districts across the country in partnership to support the mission of college and career ready youth. KP offers supplemental education aligned to the national Common Core state standards to provide support to struggling as well as exceptional students in distance learning, hybrid and online modalities

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for the Certified Cyber Analyst/Operator program, please follow the steps below.

Am I guaranteed a job after completing this program? No. While periodically throughout the program there are career resources made available to students, the core focus of this program is to provide students with the technical skills and credentials required to begin a career in information technology or cybersecurity. We continuously work to build the network of employers interested in hiring our graduates and facilitate connections to those employers, however, employment is not guaranteed and it should be expected that students will need to put in their own effort in their pursuit of new career opportunities.

Do I need a degree to get a job in cybersecurity? While many roles in cybersecurity currently do require a technical degree, employers are unable to fill the vast demand for cybersecurity talent by recruiting college graduates alone. Increasingly, employers are looking for cyber talent from non-traditional sources such as applied training programs like this.

What’s the difference between certifications and a degree? Certifications are earned by passing exams through industry organizations such as CompTIA and vendor-specific companies like Cisco. Passing these exams indicates to potential employers that you have the abilities associated with the skill set you are tested on. These certifications can be earned in a shorter period of time than to a degree program. Degree programs focus more on the theoretical aspect of cybersecurity, with less skills-based application of how to perform various operational and analytical tasks.

How much do cybersecurity professionals make? Cybersecurity professionals are paid salaries commensurate with their education and experience – salary ranges for entry level positions can start at $40,000 up to $70,000, while after several years of experience this figure is closer to $80,000, increasing from that point with additional experience and expertise. For more information on the pay-scale for various roles in cybersecurity, please refer to https://www.cyberseek.org

Do I need a clearance? You do not need a clearance to obtain a job in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity professionals work across all industries, with many not requiring clearances. However, if you do have a clearance, it can help open up more opportunities with government and contract positions.

What are the requirements for admission? There are two different pathways for students to be accepted into the CCA/O program. Applicants are either evaluated on previous educational and professional experience or on the results of a technical assessment administered to those without an IT background. We provide resources for test prep are provided, and the assessment is focused on computational logic and problem solving rather than specific IT knowledge. Additionally, an interview may be required for some applicants based on the criteria above.

How much does the program cost? What funding options are available? The total cost of the program is $19,995 in addition to a $25 application fee and $75 reservation fee. There are multiple financing options available, including SallieMae Smart Option Student Loans, in-house payment plans, and state grants awarded to qualified candidates. We are also approved to accept VA funding for retired and transitioning service members.