Cybersecurity is the first line of defense against the threats to an organization's network, programs and data. It is designed to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. Cybersecurity remains to be one of the most critical issues affecting individuals and organizations today.
A degree in cybersecurity prepares students with skills to monitor, mitigate and prevent online threats. Students will learn the fundamentals of information security, networking, server fundamentals, operating systems such as Microsoft and Linux, programming skills, computer forensics, ethical hacking and analyzing network traffic.
This program gives students a good core foundation in cybersecurity, a field with immense career growth potential. The program provides extracurricular activities such as JJC Cyber Wolves Cybersecurity club and participating in the National Cyber League (NCL) competition. The NCL competition provides a virtual training environment for college students to develop, practice and validate their cybersecurity skills. Through NCL, JJC students get experience in areas such as:
• Open-source intelligence
• Cryptography
• Password cracking
• Log analysis
• Network traffic analysis
• Scanning & Reconnaissance
• Forensics
• Web application exploitation
• Enumeration
JJC students participated in the NCL Spring 2023 competition. JJC's Spring 2023 power rankings were 16th nationally from more than 500 colleges/universities, fifth in the central region and first in Illinois. Schools are ranked based on their top team performance, their top student's individual performance, and the combined individual performance of their students.
Did You Know...
JJC's cybersecurity program has a partnership with Lewis University, making it easier than ever for you to transfer! Take three years of coursework at JJC and one year of coursework at Lewis to earn your bachelor's degree. Take a look at our transfer guide below.
Transfer Guide to Lewis University
Degree
Certificates
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
“If you are interested in a career in cybersecurity and looking for a university-type program at the community college level, then this is the best program for you! Here in the program, I developed skills in security fundamentals, digital forensics, ethical hacking, and cyber defense that were necessary to jump-start my new career path. I have been fortunate enough to land my first Cyber Security job at a Fortune 100 company prior to graduation, with major credit coming from the program's Cyber Wolves Club and my participation in the club's capture-the-flag competitions at the seasonal National Cyber League. Professor Stan and his amazing staff of insightful instructors will assist you throughout your tenure here. You will not regret enrolling in this JJC Cybersecurity program. Let's go JJC Cyber Wolves! ”
- Emmanuel Pola, JJC Fall 2022 Graduate
Cybersecurity, AAS | Cyber Ops, Certificate | Network Security, Certificate
