By Doc Anderson
Managing Editor
Northeast Texas Community College developed a 9-week cohort class for a cybersecurity program funded by the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling for Education grant, TRUE initiative grant. The TRUE grant allocates funds for the training of individuals for occupations needed to aid in the relief of the COVID-19 pandemic recovery.
The course is for an entry level certification in cyber security. Students do not need to be computer experts but moderate computer literacy is recommended.
The need for cybersecurity is increasing as scams and threats from rogue nations become more prevalent. The recent conflict between Russia and the Ukraine has exhibited the need for solid cybersecurity.
According to a recent article on Forbes.com , ¡°Immediately after the conflict broke out, suspected Russian-sourced cyber-attacks were observed over a 48-hour period at an increase of over 800%.¡±
Jimmy Smith, workforce developer for the NTCC continuing education and corporate training department, said the students enrolled in the cybersecurity courses have a faster path towards licenser and potentially a college degree.
¡°The State is wanting for us to offer credit classes that also lead towards industry credentials, or industry related exams in a shorter pace,¡± Smith said.
Smith said the students who complete the three class cohort will be ready to take the industry exam.
¡°They get nine credit hours, that¡¯s how one side of the equation works. But the knowledge and skill base that they get gives them the opportunity to be able to take an industry exam,¡± Smith said.
NTCC is an academic partner with the EC council. The partnership allows students to both test and apply for positions in the cybersecurity career field. EC-Council is an online cybersecurity certification program.
Dr. Kevin Rose, vice president for Instruction, said he is excited to bring this ¡°high-demand field¡± to NTCC.
¡°We are very excited to offer a new micro credential in cybersecurity,¡± Rose said. ¡°The program will give students the entry level skills to work in the industry as well as prepare them with a foundation upon which to build even further.¡±
Rose said there has been great interest in the program. The first cohort registered 20 students with more students in line for the summer session.
For more information about the new cybersecurity program on the Northeast campus, contact Jimmy Smith at jsmith@ntcc.edu or call 903-434-8330.