Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
Cybersecurity is to protect computer systems networks, digital devices, and the IoT from cyberattacks. The courses in the Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Forensics provide students with the breadth and depth of knowledge, and hands-on practice in cybersecurity. The degree is intended to give students a firm foundation in what is needed to excel in the field.
Bachelors Degree
Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics provides students with the breadth and depth of knowledge in cybersecurity and reinforce the skills with hands-on labs. U.S.Bureau of Labor projects 31% growth in employment in the cybersecurity field between 2019 to 2029.
PDF Program Map
- Secure the commonly used operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Apple at the small office/home office (SOHO) level to the enterprise level.
- Securely install, configure, program and maintain routers, switches and hubs for the SOHO to enterprise level operation.
- Evaluate, plan and implement cloud security for the variation of cloud environments including public, private and hybrid.
- Evaluate, implement and maintain mobile security for SOHO to enterprise level operation.
- Securely install and maintain the popular database products – such as MySQL, MS SQL Server and Oracle – while being able to evaluate the appropriate operating system for the situation, perform security audits, and apply the knowledge to new technology such as big data installations and analytics.
- Design, install and maintain a secure database using one or more of the popular database products on various operating systems to industry standards.
- Evaluate, implement and use big data architectures such as Cloudera, Hortonworks, or Map-R to utilize Hadoop Distributed File Systems.
- Able to effectively perform the tasks related to penetration testing on various platforms, applications and network designs including pre-evaluation, setting of parameters, evaluate/report results, and give recommendations on remediation of findings.
- Plan, conduct and report on the digital analysis of networks, cloud deployments, desktop and mobile devices using proper forensics techniques and determining the appropriate legal parameters that should be adhered to.
- Design and conduct an e-discovery investigation, while applying the appropriate legalities such as litigation holds, HIPAA standards, etc.
- Apply knowledge of professional ethics when dealing with sensitive and confidential information or when making a decision on what path or methodology to use.
Career
A degree in Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Forensics enhances opportunities for employment and promotion in a variety of information technology-related positions, such as cybersecurity engineer, cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity administrator, cybersecurity consultant, network engineer, computer forensic specialist, incident response, penetration tester and software engineer.
Department/Program URL:
https://cis.highline.edu/programs/bas-cybersecurity/
GPA Requirement:
A minimum 2.5 cumulative college-level GPA
Number of Credits:
180
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
Top Transfer-To institutions
- University of Washington Tacoma
- Central Washington University
- Seattle Pacific University
- Seattle University
Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate
N/A
Key Advisors
Associate Degree
Global Cybersecurity Investigations gives students a firm foundation in conducting cyber investigations for devices including desktops, laptops, the IoTs, the cloud, mobile and other sensors. Students learn how to find digital footprints, deleted files, deleted emails, etc. Students gain an understanding of international privacy laws such as GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, and POPI compliance for cloud and IoT investigations.
PDF Program Map
Career
The Global Cybersecurity Investigations program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in data recovery services at businesses, government, and law enforcement agencies.
Department/Program URL:
https://cis.highline.edu/programs/professional-technical/digital-forensics-and-investigation/
GPA Requirement:
A minimum 2.5 cumulative college-level GPA
Number of Credits:
91
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
- Properly acquire digital data from a variety of sources including different hard drive types, cell phones, cloud and IoT
- Understand a variety of computer platforms and how data is stored in order to properly analyze the evidence or recover lost files.
- Determine and design an appropriate plan for identifying, securing and gathering evidence in a case.
- Apply ethics while conducting investigations and apply the principles in their professional and personal lives.
- Understand international privacy laws such as GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, and POPI compliance for cloud and IoT investigations
- Communicate effectively with other members of a team, corporation or clients in order to investigate the cybercrime or incident and provide a viable solution.
- Analyze electronic evidence and use cyber skills to identify a conclusion that can be confirmed using standard or accepted forensic science techniques.
- Research, analyze, and manage a cyber investigation that involves personal, corporate, cloud and IoT devices
- Communicate effectively with both technical and nontechnical stakeholders, both in speech and written documents, including serving as a technical/expert witness at a trial.
Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate
- This information does not substitute for meeting with a faculty adviser.
- Students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.0 in each core class.
- AAS degree programs emphasize preparation in specific job skills required for entry-level employment.
- Not all classes are offered every quarter or at night.