Cybersecurity
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Cybersecurity is designed to focus on the necessary skills required to secure, protect and identify vulnerabilities in a network, including various operating systems and network devices. Emphasis is placed on developing the theoretical, legal, ethical and practical skills needed to maintain security on mission-critical networking and server systems. The program is designed to meet the training needs of government and industry employees. The program covers a variety of information security technologies and structured languages. The Cybersecurity program also focuses on the skills needed for internationally recognized IT certifications and high demands in business, industry, and government. Certificates of Completion (CCLs) are also available in the following areas: Cybersecurity Fundamentals, Cyber Operations, Linux System Administration, Microsoft, Cisco Networking CCNA Security, Cyber Engineering, and Critical Infrastructure. Some of these programs are available at select colleges. Please check with your local college for program availability.
Details
Field of Interest
Computer and Information Technology
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Cybersecurity (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3197
Total credits required
62-77
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Courses within any of the following prefixes must be taken within five (5) years prior to completion of the program to be applied toward this award: AIM, BPC, CIS, CLD, CNT, CSC, ITS, and MST.
What You'll Learn
- Explain the fundamental components, concepts, and application of cybersecurity principles. (BPC170, BPC270, BPC274, CIS105, CIS126DL, CIS126RH, CIS143, CIS156, CIS162++, CIS201, CIS202, CIS203, CIS227, CIS238DL, CIS238RH, CIS239DL, CIS240DL, CIS240RH, CIS250, CIS262++, CIS270, CIS271DL, CIS271RH, CIS275DL, ITS110, ITS291, ITS292, MST150++, MST160, CLD110 [FYC])
- Describe cyber defense tools, methods, and components. (CIS156, CIS190, CIS270, CNT140AB, CNT150AB, ITS110, ITS240, ITS291, ITS292, (COM), (CRE))
- Apply cyber defense methods to prepare a system to repel attacks. (CIS156, CIS201, CIS202, CIS203, CIS270, CIS290AC, CIS298AC, CNT150AB, CNT160AB, CNT202, CNT205, ITS110, ITS240, [SG], [SQ])
- Analyze common security failures and identify specific design principles that have been violated. (BPC274, CIS121AH, CIS201, CIS202, CIS203, CIS270, CNT202, CNT205, ITS110, MST260, CLD120)
- Describe the interaction between security and system usability and the importance for minimizing the effects of security mechanisms. (BPC274, CIS201, CIS202, CIS203, CIS270, CNT160AB, ITS110, MST260, CLD120)
- Apply appropriate protocols, tools, and techniques to maximize security in the network environment. (CIS119DO, CIS156, CIS162++, CIS190, CIS201, CIS202, CIS203, CIS227, CIS262++. CIS270, CIS276++, CIS290AC, CIS298AC, CNT140AB, CNT150AB, CNT160AB, CNT202, CNT205, ITS110, ITS240, ITS291, ITS292, [MA], [SG], [SQ])
- Describe the fundamental concepts, technologies, components, vulnerabilities, and issues related to networks. (BPC170, CIS105, CIS119DO, CIS143, CIS190, CIS201, CIS202, CIS238DL, CIS238RH, CIS270, CIS276++, CNT140AB, CNT150AB, CNT160AB, CNT202, CNT205, ITS110, (COM))
- Identify and describe basic security issues of operating systems. (BPC270, BPC274, CIS105, CIS121AH, CIS126DL, CIS126RH, CIS201, CIS238DL, CIS238RH, CIS239DL, CIS240DL, CIS240RH, CIS270, CIS271DL, CIS271RH, CIS275DL, ITS110, ITS240, MST150++, MST160, CLD110)
- Identify perpetrators, their resources, and their motivations in cyberspace. (BPC274, CIS111, CIS143, CIS203, CIS270, CIS290AC, CIS298AC, ITS110, ITS120, ITS240, MST160, CLD110)
- Compare and contrast offensive and defensive resources used in cybersecurity ecosystems/environment. (CIS201, CIS202, CIS203, CIS270, CIS290AC, CIS298AC, ITS110, ITS240, (COM), (CRE), [FYC])
- Delineate differences between the moral, behavioral, ethical, and legal ramifications found in the cybersecurity world. (CIS105, CIS111, CIS143, CIS156, ITS120, (CRE) [FYC], [HU], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
- Apply knowledge of regulatory and legal requirements to ensure compliance. (CIS111, CIS143, CIS202, CIS290AC, CIS298AC, ITS120, ITS240, (CRE), [FYC])
- Apply risk analysis methodologies to identify potential vulnerabilities, associated impacts, and recommend appropriate responses. (BPC274, CIS111, CIS143, CIS121AH, CIS201, CIS202, CIS203, CIS238DL, CIS238RH, CIS270, CIS290AC, CIS298AC, CNT150AB, CNT160AB, CNT202, CNT205, ITS110, ITS120, ITS240, ITS291, ITS292, MST160, MST260, CLD110, CLD120 [MA])
- Communicate professionally in formal and informal situations to diverse audiences. (BPC270, CIS105, CIS111, CIS143, CIS156, CIS201, CIS202, CIS203, CIS270, CIS271DL, CIS271RH, CIS275DL, CIS290AC, CIS298AC, ITS110, ITS120, ITS240, (COM), [FYC], [HU], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
- Collaborate with others to solve cybersecurity problems. (CIS105, CIS111, CIS143, CIS201, CIS202, CIS203, CIS270, CIS271DL, CIS271RH, CIS275DL, CIS290AC, CIS298AC, ITS110, ITS120, ITS240, ITS291, ITS292, (COM), [SG], [SQ])
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 25-28 | |
| BPC270 | A+ Exam Prep: Operating System Configuration and Support (3) OR | |
| MST150++ | Any Microsoft Windows course (3) | 3 |
| (MST150++ | required for Cloud System Administration specialization and Critical Infrastructure specialization) | |
| CIS105 | Survey of Computer Information Systems | 3 |
| CIS111 | Ethics in Information Technology (3) OR | |
| ITS120 | Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues (3) | 3 |
| CIS126DL | Linux Operating System (3) OR | |
| CIS126RH | Red Hat System Administration I (3) | 3 |
| CIS156 | Python Programming: Level I | 3 |
| CIS190 | Introduction to Networking (3) OR | |
| CNT140AB | Introduction to Networks (4) | 3-4 |
| (CNT140AB | required for Cisco Network Administration and Security specialization and Critical Infrastructure specialization) | |
| CIS270 | Essentials of Network and Information Security (3) OR | |
| ITS110 | Information Security Fundamentals (3) | 3 |
| (ITS110 | required for Cyber Operations specialization; CIS270 required for Critical Infrastructure specialization) | |
| FYE101 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR | |
| FYE103 | Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) | 1-3 |
| ITS240 | Ethical Hacking and Network Defense | 3 |
Course Sequence by Term
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 12-18 | |
| Students must complete 12-18 credits from the following list of courses. Courses that are required for a specialization in Cyber Operations, Linux System Administration, Cloud System Administration, Cisco Network Administration and Security, Cyber Engineering, and/or Critical Infrastructure are noted. Courses cannot be repeated for credit. | ||
| Specialization I: Cyber Operations | ||
| BPC170 | A+ Exam Prep: Computer Hardware Configuration and Support | 3 |
| CIS238DL | Linux System Administration (3) OR | |
| CIS238RH | Red Hat System Administration II (3) | 3 |
| CIS290AC | Computer Information Systems Internship (3) OR | |
| CIS298AC | Special Projects (3) | 3 |
| ITS291 | Computer Forensics Foundations | 4 |
| ITS292 | Advanced Computer Forensics | 4 |
| Specialization II: Linux System Administration | ||
| CIS238DL | Linux System Administration (3) OR | |
| CIS238RH | Red Hat System Administration II (3) | 3 |
| CIS239DL | Linux Shell Scripting | 3 |
| CIS240DL | Linux Network Administration (3) OR | |
| CIS240RH | Red Hat System Administration III (3) | 3 |
| CIS271DL | Linux Security (3) OR | |
| CIS271RH | Red Hat System Administration IV (3) | 3 |
| CIS275DL | Linux Capstone | 3 |
| Specialization III: Cloud System Administration | ||
| BPC274 | Advanced Server Computer Maintenance: Server+ Prep | 3 |
| CIS121AH | Microsoft PowerShell/Command Line Operations | 3 |
| CIS239DL | Linux Shell Scripting | 3 |
| MST160 | Azure Administrator (4), OR | |
| CLD110 | Amazon Web Services Cloud Foundations (3) | 3-4 |
| MST260 | Microsoft Azure Cloud Development and Operations (3), OR | |
| CLD120 | Amazon Web Services Cloud Architect Associate (3) | 3 |
| Specialization IV: Cisco Network Administration and Security | ||
| CNT150AB | Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials | 4 |
| CNT160AB | Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation | 4 |
| CNT202 | Cisco Secure Firewall Appliance Configuration (4) OR | |
| CNT205 | Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (4) | 4 |
| Specialization V: Cyber Engineering | ||
| CIS119DO | Introduction to Oracle: SQL (3) OR | |
| CIS276++ | Any SQL Database course (3) | 3 |
| CIS162++ | Any C Programming: Level I course | 3 |
| (Students intending to transfer to U of A South should take CIS162 C Programming) | ||
| CIS227 | Assembler Language | 3 |
| CIS238DL | Linux System Administration (3) OR | |
| CIS238RH | Red Hat System Administration II (3) | 3 |
| CIS250 | Management of Information Systems | 3 |
| CIS262++ | Any C Programming: Level II course | 3 |
| Specialization VI: Critical Infrastructure | ||
| CIS143 | Introduction to Critical Infrastructure Protection | 3 |
| CIS201 | Introduction to Operational Technology | 3 |
| CIS202 | Introduction to Smart Grid Security | 3 |
| CIS203 | Principles of the Risk Management Framework | 3 |
| CNT150AB | Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials | 4 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 0-3 | |
| Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree. It is recommended to select from the Restricted Elective options. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals. | ||
| General Education Requirement | Credits: 22-28 | |
| General Education Core | Credits: 12-18 | |
| First-Year Composition | Credits: 6 | |
| ENG101 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG107 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND | |
| ENG102 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG108 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) | 6 |
| Oral Communication | Credits: 3 | |
| COM100 | Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR | |
| COM110 | Interpersonal Communication (3) OR | |
| COM225 | Public Speaking (3) OR | |
| COM230 | Small Group Communication (3) | 3 |
| COM100 | required for students intending to transfer to ASU West to earn a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computing (Cybersecurity). | |
| Critical Reading | Credits: 0-3 | |
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR | |
| Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0) | 0-3 | |
| Mathematics | Credits: 3-6 | |
| Any approved general education course in the Mathematics area. | 3-6 | |
| General Education Distribution | Credits: 10 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | Credits: 3 | |
| Any approved general education course(s) in the Humanities, Arts and Design area. | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | Credits: 3 | |
| Any approved general education course(s) in the Social-Behavioral Sciences area. | ||
| Natural Sciences | Credits: 4 | |
| Any approved general education course(s) from the Natural Sciences area. | ||
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.