- Enrollment Paused
Temporarily closed to new enrollees
Introduction to Cybersecurity (Security+)
Follow a new career path in cybersecurity
What is cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is not just a buzzword – it’s one of the fastest growing tech occupations. It refers to keeping computer systems, networks and related data safe from data breaches and harm. Cybersecurity can refer to any technology, process or procedure related to keeping cyber attacks from succeeding.
What do cybersecurity professionals do?
- Computer networking
- Test, deploy and maintain technology
- Monitor systems for breaches
- Develop and update security protocols
Important: Program prerequisite required for enrollment.
Cybersecurity Program Prerequisite:
Entry into this program requires one year of prior Information Technology (IT) experience or CompTIA A+ or Network+ certification.
Enrollees must have fulfilled one of the following:
- Completion of Calbright’s Information Technology (IT) Support or Network Technology program
- Proof of CompTIA A+, Network+, or equivalent coursework
- One year of related job experience in any of the following areas, verified and approved by the review panel:
- Helpdesk
- Desktop Technician
- IT/Software Engineering
- DevOps
- Site Reliability Engineer
- Networking
- Telecom Networks
- Outside Field Technician
Other qualifications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you haven’t fulfilled one of these prerequisites, we encourage you to consider our Information Technology (IT) Support program.
Enrollment in the Cybersecurity program is temporarily paused as we re-align to prepare students for the new CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) certification. The program will re-open for enrollment this summer. Please enter your information below to get updates.
100% Free
Online
Flexibly Paced
Certificate in 1 Year
Overview
Join Calbright's Cybersecurity Program
According to CompTIA, the projected growth rate for cybersecurity job roles over the next decade is 31%, the fastest rate among tech occupations. Some estimates are even higher. Businesses need trained specialists to combat the costly threat of data security breaches.
Learn the principles and best practices of information technology security and risk management on your way to CompTIA certification and job opportunities in this rapidly expanding field.
The program teaches the core skills necessary for careers in cybersecurity, including the training required to pass the industry-recognized CompTIA Security+ exam. This program is currently free to California residents.
Cybersecurity program prerequisite:
Entry into this program requires one year of prior Information Technology (IT) experience or CompTIA A+ certification. Enrollees must have fulfilled one of the following:
- Completion of Calbright’s Information Technology (IT) Support program
- Proof of CompTIA A+ or equivalent coursework
- One year of related job experience in any of the following areas, verified and approved by the review panel:
- Helpdesk
- Desktop Technician
- IT/Software Engineering
- DevOps
- Site Reliability Engineer
- Networking
- Telecom Networks
- Outside Field Technician
Other qualifications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you haven’t fulfilled one of these prerequisites, we encourage you to consider our Information Technology (IT) Support program.
What You'll Learn
- How to analyze documentation to offer problem-solving solutions.
- How to apply ethical behaviors to analytical and decision-making skills.
- How to apply principles of organizational information and risk management
- How to analyze a wide variety of technical issues in Information Security
Courses in this Program
Essential 21st Century Skills
This course supports your career development, preparing you to be a well-rounded job candidate. It supplements your technical coursework to prepare you to demonstrate to employers that in addition to your industry-specific knowledge, you also have the interpersonal skills and mindsets they look for. You’ll learn best practices for your job search and gain competency in communication, time management, resilience, and other soft skills.
Introduction to Cybersecurity
This course helps students master a working knowledge of the fundamental principles and topics of information security and risk management, and to demonstrate appropriate diagnostic, risk management, and solution application at the organizational level. This includes hardware, software, processes, communications, applications, and policies and procedures with respect to organizational cybersecurity.
Topics Covered
Build your knowledge and skills in the core Cybersecurity areas that help businesses operate safely. The program covers these topics and more:
- Security Fundamentals
- Threats & Vulnerabilities
- Network Security
- Identity & Access Management
- Risk Management
- Compliance & Operational Security
- Cryptography / PKI
- IT Architecture
- Disaster Recovery / Business Continuity
Note: While Calbright programs are flexibly paced, enrollment agreements are limited in duration.
Students are enrolled in successive 6-month terms for a maximum program length of three years.
Careers and Outcomes
What can you do with a Cybersecurity certificate from Calbright?
Security Specialist
Also known as Cybersecurity Specialists, Security Specialists play an important role in protecting computer systems and data centers from breaches, threats or attacks. This is done by monitoring, scanning and updating systems.
Security Analyst
Security Analysts are depended upon to identify, assess and analyze possible risks as well as make recommendations and implement protective measures to keep digital assets safe.
Security Administrator
A Security Administrator oversees an organization’s entire system. They are ultimately responsible for maintenance as well as developing security policies and protocols that others will use to keep all digital assets protected.
We'll help you get there!
No one should have to be in college alone, and at Calbright you’ve got a team working with you, supporting your success. Whether it’s help with your classes, help with technology, or even someone to help connect you to services you need in your life, we are here to be part of your journey to a better career. Together, we’ll transition you into a job in tech.
3.5M
Unfilled positions in cybersecurity
>$100k
Median starting salary in information security
>30%
Expected job growth through 2030
Unfilled positions data via CISO MAG and EC-Council University (ECCU) joint study. Median salary and job growth figures via U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and CompTIA.
“Calbright’s instructors and counselors were always available to provide valuable emotional and academic support. I wasn’t doing it alone, and now that I’ve got my cybersecurity certificate, I’m looking forward to finding a job where I will gain experience and use my knowledge. Calbright’s career coach and career services staff are helping with that, too. I feel blessed.”
“I’ve tried everything, and Calbright is up there with the best. The service and support is as good as a full university with degree programs, but it’s free and easy to use. Their courses are aimed towards getting you high-value certifications which are highly pertinent in the field of Information Technology.”
“Calbright has given me hope.
I survived covid but I struggled through the pandemic financially and had to switch gears from being a commercial public transportation driver to multiple hat wearing assistant at my employer. With Calbright I was able to transition into IT and now I am almost done with the Security + training. I longed for an opportunity like this for years, and now I finally get to take my test and advance my career in IT.
I am beyond grateful for the counselors and academic advisor.
I hope I can pay it forward here at Calbright in the near future. Thank you Calbright!”
Your Success Team
Our most important job is your success. Our Student Success team connects you with academic counseling and support, tutoring, career services, accessibility services, and more.
FAQs
Calbright is open to all California residents aged 18 years or older who have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
All Californians — regardless of immigration status — are welcome to enroll.
Yes! All of our programs are currently free thanks to public funding from the State of California. That includes program tuition, testing costs, and technology resources like laptops and WiFi devices from our lending library.
Because our programs are free, we don’t need to offer financial aid.
First, our training programs prepare you to earn industry-recognized certifications (via exams offered by third-party providers like CompTIA and Salesforce), proof to employers that you’re ready to succeed in a new career on day one of employment.
Second, every student that completes a program also gets a dedicated team of professional experts that will coach you to be the best version of yourself during your job search.
Third, all of our courses are flexibly-paced and 100% online — designed around your own unique life circumstances so school never gets in the way of other priorities.
Plus, Calbright comes at no out-of-pocket cost to you. Even the cost of the exams to receive industry-recognized certifications (such as the CompTIA A+, Security+, and Salesforce Certified Administrator exams) in your program of choice are covered.
We also offer resources that include (but are not limited to) technology support through our Chromebook and WiFi hotspot lending library; career counseling; and mental health services. All this and more make Calbright a great choice if you’re looking to level up your skillset.
We currently have five online, flexibly-paced training programs: IT Support, Medical Coding*, Cybersecurity, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Platform Administration, and Equitable Health Impacts: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
These programs are the first of many, with each fitting into wraparound services designed to prepare you for success in the job market.
*Please note that we are currently not accepting new applications into the Medical Coding program.
That depends on you and the pace you want to set, but all of our courses are designed to be completed in the shortest time possible — generally under a year. Your specific estimated time of completion will be determined when you meet with your Academic Success Counselor to develop your Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP).
You can expect complete a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) certificate in less than six months with an average weekly commitment of 6-12 hours.
For our IT and Cybersecurity programs, expect to complete your certificate in eight to ten months, assuming the same weekly commitment of 6-12 hours.
With consistent time and progress, you could complete the Equitable Health Impacts: DEI program in as little as 10 weeks.
Starting an application is easy! If you’re ready to begin your journey with us, click here. If you still have questions or would like to get in contact another way, you’ve got plenty of options.
You can always reach out to success@calbright.org and someone from our team will get back with you via email ASAP.
You can also use the webchat function on our homepage, call us at 1-833-956-0225, or even text HELLO to (510) 330-1817.
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