Southwestern Community College's criminal justice program (@swcciowacj) is one the educational institutions piloting the National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center (NICERC) & The Department of Homeland Security Cyber-Infrastructure Security Agency Cybersecurity Fundamentals Curriculum.
This curriculum includes teaching the basics of protecting internet-connected systems from passive vulnerabilities as well as cyber attacks. Southwestern's request to pilot the program was approved by NICERC. Students in the criminal justice program, specifically the overview of cybercrime course are piloting the following lessons: introduction to cybersecurity, hacking, cryptography, social engineering, ethical hacking and penetration testing, and vulnerability assessment.
This pilot will help solidify what the DHS & NICERC are using to educate students of all ages about cybersecurity.
“Cybersecurity knowledge is pivotal for a career in criminal justice” stated Diogenes Ayala, instructor and director of SWCC's criminal justice program. “Numerous crimes occur on a daily basis using a computer. Students in the program will benefit from the material that has been provided by DHS & NICERC.”
The pilot runs from August to December.