Other Certificate Options
The Pearson ITCC series can be offered as a part of a full degree program when integrated with general education course requirements. Schools also have the option of offering these courses as part of a cybersecurity certificate program or pathway, such as those described below.
This 3-course option provides foundational knowledge of computer hardware and operating systems, networking, and cybersecurity. There are three industry certifications that can be obtained after completion of these courses (CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+). Completion of this program qualifies students for the following cybersecurity job roles:
Security Specialist • Security Consultant • Security Engineer • Security Administrator
|
Course |
Track I—Standard Textbook Focus |
Track II—Certification Guide Focus |
1 |
IT Fundamentals |
Complete CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Hardware and Software |
CompTIA A+ |
2 |
Networking Fundamentals |
Networking Essentials |
CompTIA Network+ |
3 |
Cybersecurity Fundamentals |
Computer Security Fundamentals |
CompTIA Security+ |
This 5-course certificate assumes basic knowledge of computer hardware/operating systems and starts with networking and cybersecurity fundamentals. It then builds upon this foundation with a focus on ethical hacking and penetration testing. A course on Linux is offered, as most hacking tools run on Linux. The program wraps up with a course on network defense and countermeasures, teaching students how to plug the holes they found in the hacking course. Four industry certifications can be obtained after completion of the courses (CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Linux+, and EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker). Completion of the program qualifies students for the following cybersecurity job roles:
Ethical Hacker • Penetration Tester • Homeland Security Specialist
IT Security Consultant • IT Security Specialist
|
Course |
Track I—Standard Textbook Focus |
Track II—Certification Guide Focus |
1 |
Networking Essentials |
Networking Essentials |
CompTIA Network+ |
2 |
Cybersecurity Fundamentals |
Computer Security Fundamentals |
CompTIA Security+ |
OR |
CCNA Cyber Ops—SECFND |
|
3 |
Network Defense and Countermeasures |
Network Defense and Countermeasures |
N/A* |
4 |
Cybersecurity Operations—Incident Response & Digital Forensics |
A Practical Guide to Computer Forensics Investigations |
CompTIA CSA+ |
OR |
CCNA Cyber Ops—SECOPS |
|
5 |
Developing Cybersecurity Program and Policies |
Developing Cybersecurity Program and Policies |
N/A* |
* No parallel certification guide
This 5-course certificate also assumes basic knowledge of computer hardware/operating systems, and starts with the networking and cybersecurity fundamentals. From there, it builds towards the forensics focus by covering networking security, incident response/computer forensics, and cybersecurity programs and policies. There are 2-3 industry certifications that can be earned in this option, depending on whether schools focus on the CompTIA cybersecurity certifications or the Cisco CCNA CyberOps certification. Completion of the program qualifies students for the following cybersecurity job roles:
Security Analyst • Vulnerability Analyst • Cybersecurity Specialist • Cybersecurity Analyst
Security Engineer • Security Operations Center Analyst • Computer Forensics Technician
|
Course |
Track I—Standard Textbook Focus |
Track II—Certification Guide Focus |
1 |
Networking Fundamentals |
Networking Essentials |
CompTIA Network+ |
2 |
Cybersecurity Fundamentals |
Computer Security Fundamentals |
CompTIA Security+ |
OR |
CCNA Cyber Ops—SECFND |
|
3 |
Network Defense and Countermeasures |
Network Defense and Countermeasures |
N/A* |
4 |
Cybersecurity Operations—Incident Response & Digital Forensics |
A Practical Guide to Computer Forensics Investigations |
CompTIA CSA+ |
OR |
CCNA Cyber Ops—SECOPS |
|
5 |
Developing Cybersecurity Program and Policies |
Developing Cybersecurity Program and Policies |
N/A* |
* No parallel certification guide