Cybersecurity

Security is an essential component that affects every aspect of how we use information technology. Successful protection of our data and electronic resources results from the integration of proper human actions, policies, procedures, computer software and hardware. As our dependency on technology increases, so does the importance of security for this infrastructure. Therefore, the need for well-trained cybersecurity professionals will exist for the foreseeable future.

Oakland Community College is proud to be recertified by the Committee on National Security Systems and the National Security Agency (NSA) until June 2018 for the delivery of a core set of skills and courses in our Cybersecurity program.  These certified courses may be applied toward either our Associate Degree in Cybersecurity or Certificate in Cybersecurity.

Our CIS program successfully matches a nationally adopted set of best practices in information security. You will gain skills necessary to perform in daily tasks in information security within the government or industry positions.

credentials - cis.cys.aas

The design of cybersecurity programs and related courses at OCC has been heavily influenced by national standards and high quality educational guidelines. Two of the most influential programs are:

The CAE-CD program is sponsored by The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while the NICE program is a partnership between government, academia, and the private sector led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The goal of both programs is to ensure the production of high quality cybersecurity professionals through improved education.

Currently, in the state of Michigan, Davenport University, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, University of Detroit Mercy, and Walsh College have obtained the NSA CAE designation. To achieve this designation, each school must be certified against the requirements of the CAE program and re-certify every few years to retain this designation. By using guidelines set forth by this program, the OCC cybersecurity programs serve as an excellent platform for transfer to one of these five schools. Completion of a bachelor's degree from an NSA CAE program will be a highly prized credential in any sector of the cybersecurity job market. Alternatively, an associate degree or certificate from OCC based on national standards for cybersecurity education would also be a very valuable credential for entry-level computer support job applications.

CAREER INFORMATION

Cybersecurity employment may be found in three different employment sectors:

  • Federal or State Government;
  • Commercial Businesses; and
  • Law Enforcement

In the commercial business sector, cloud service companies generate a strong demand for cybersecurity workers due to the fact that they manage very large quantities of computer infrastructure shared by many clients. In the federal government sector, various intelligence agencies and defense department programs create some of the highest numbers of openings in the entire country. In law enforcement, one of the most popular positions used by state and local law enforcement is computer forensics.

Computer Security and Information Assurance

The wide use of electronic commerce and the increasing  adoption of mobile technologies mean that more establishments will use the Internet to conduct business online. As a result, employment of  Computer Security Specialists is expected to increase more than 18% for the years 2014-2024, which is much faster than the average for many other occupations.

The demand for computer security specialists will grow as businesses and government continue to invest heavily in cybersecurity, protecting vital computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. The information security field is expected to generate many new computer security jobs over the next decade as firms across all industries place a higher priority on safeguarding their data and systems.

Industry and Job Information

OCC education programs in computer and information security provide a strong foundation that can lead to a variety of high paying jobs such as:

  • Chief Security Officer
  • Computer Security Specialist
  • Forensics Investigator
  • Information Security Specialist
  • Internet Security Specialist
  • IT Security Manager
  • Network Security Administrator
  • Network Security Manager
  • Network Security Specialist
  • Security Analyst
  • Security Architect
  • Security Engineer
  • Security Technician

Other jobs that include a significant amount of security-related duties are: Systems Administrator or Engineer; and Network Administrator or Engineer.

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Contact Information

Auburn Hills Campus
Faculty Secretary - (248) 232-4235
CIS Lab - (248) 232-4475

Highland Lakes Campus
Faculty Secretary - (248) 942-3150
CIS Lab - (248) 942-3164

Tom Hendricks
Dean of Business and Information Technologies
Phone - (248) 233-2814

Orchard Ridge Campus
Faculty Secretary - (248) 522-3576
CIS Lab - (248) 522-3435

Royal Oak Campus
Faculty Secretary - (248) 246-2652
CIS Lab - (248) 246-2642