Central Arizona College Offering New Cyber Operations Degree

By Angela Askey, Executive Director of Public Relations & Marketing

Beginning this fall, Central Arizona College will offer a new Cyber Operations Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

To obtain the new AAS degree, students will need to complete twelve Computer Information Systems courses, combined with general education in English, math and economics. CIS courses will include Computer information Systems, Microcomputer Operating System, Networking Essentials, Computer Forensics and Investigation, Windows Server, Network Infrastructure, Network Security, Python Programming, Linus Server, and Practical Applications in Cyber-Security. A majority of the aforementioned classes provide strong hands-on experience within network administration and cyber security fields. Classes are offered at multiple CAC campuses and online.

Students will actively prepare for the Security+ Certification from CompTIA as they complete the Cyber Operations AAS degree at CAC.

Upon completion of this new AAS degree at CAC, students can further their education with transfer directly to the University of Arizona South to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations.

Cyber security employers demand a highly educated, highly experienced workforce. According to https://www.azcybertalent.com, there is a significant gap between the number of open cyber security positions and the number of available, qualified people to fill them. There are more than 6,800 unfilled cyber security jobs in Arizona and 285,681 unfilled positions nationwide in this field. By 2019, it is expected there will be 1,500,000 unfilled positions.

Job opportunities for those who earn a Cyber Operations degree could include Cyber Security Analyst, Vulnerability Analyst/Penetration, Cyber Security Manager/Administration, Systems Administrator, IT Auditor, Cyber Security Engineer, Network Engineer/Architect, and Software Developer/Engineer.

For more information about the New Cyber Operations AAS degree, please contact Michael Bogner, Professor of CIS-Programming at 520-494-5467 or via email at michael.bogner@centralaz.edu; or Carl Tidwell, Professor of Business/CIS at carl.tidwell@centralaz.edu.