Cyber Security Center

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The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Program of Study Validation, in partnership with the National Security Agency, validated the Palo Alto College Cyber Defense and Operations Associate of Applied Science on November 21, 2022. See attached letter. Palo Alto College has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2028. See attached letter.

The Associate of Applied Science in Cyber Defense and Operations will prepare students to design, implement and secure computer networks. Students with this degree will be able to install security software, monitor networks for security breaches, respond to cyber-attacks, and in some cases, gather data and evidence to prosecute cybercrime. Students will prepare for the CompTIA Security+ and PenTest+. Students can obtain entry-level cybersecurity employment after graduation or transfer to Texas A & M San Antonio, Our Lady of the Lake University, or Western Governors University.

This degree includes two semesters of Python Programming, two semesters of PenTesting, and many other courses to prepare you for entry-level employment. The full degree plan is available here.

Faculty work collaboratively with industry to identify workplace competencies expected for entry-level employment. Based on these workplace competencies, faculty translate to Program Learning Outcomes mapped throughout the curriculum to introduce, reinforce, and assess each student's proficiency in cybersecurity-related outcomes. The Program Learning Outcomes include:

  1. Analyze common security failures in operating systems, networks, and software to identify specific design principles that have been violated
  2. Perform appropriate cybersecurity measures to be taken should a system compromise occur
  3. Describe the role of cybersecurity in supporting and encouraging ethics, as well as where cybersecurity practices can cause ethical conflicts
  4. Detect, identify, resolve, and document host or network intrusions

 


 

PAC News

Cyber Security News

The Hacker News

Wired

Threatpost

Student Cyber Activities

The National Cyber League

OverTheWire

 


 

    • Sean Attwood – VIP Staffing
    • Michael Burvato – Disney Media and Distribution
    • Chris Vogan – IBM
    • Jaime Contreras – Gonzaba Medical Group
    • William Dean – FM2SI Associates/PAC Adjunct
    • Jeff Fair – San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
    • John Guzman – Coal Fire
    • Frank Montes – Amazon
    • Paul Patillo – Education Service Region 20
    • Paul Rodriguez – Greater San Antonio
    • Judy Trevino – Zachry Group/PAC adjunct
    • Roxanne Ramirez – CNF Technologies
    • Any Pilato – CNF Technologies

Contact

Information

Brian McDaniel
Point of Contact
Cyber Defense and Operations Center Director
bmcdaniel@alamo.edu

Phone:
210-486-3319 

 

       
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National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense