Cybersecurity spells job security
For job security, pursue cybersecurity.
San Jacinto College is preparing students for this exploding technology field with its new Bachelor of Applied Technology in information technology with an emphasis in cybersecurity. The program combines the three top requirements for cybersecurity professionals — education, experience, and certification preparation — into one package.
“It remained a barrier for some of our students to promote or even get entry-level
positions with less than a bachelor’s degree, so it made sense,” said Kevin Morris,
South Campus business and technology dean.
Launched in fall 2024, the bachelor’s degree program includes …
- Face-to-face and online learning
- Daytime and evening courses (program-specific at the South Campus)
- A focus on network security, cryptography, and ethical hacking
- Extensive practical application
- Preparation for Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker, Network+, and PenTest+ certification exams
Students can complete the program in two years if they already have an Associate of Applied Science in cybersecurity. A related associate degree — like networking, cloud computing, or help desk — may require foundational cybersecurity courses.
The program’s biggest perk is its security operations center, funded partly by a $332,000 National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Program grant. In this lab setting, students can analyze live data alongside the College’s cybersecurity staff. While traditional cybersecurity training focuses on theory, students will practice monitoring, detecting, and responding to real cyberthreats.
The security operations center is an incredible resource in its current configuration and delivers an exceptional learning experience.
“Students will gain a working understanding of how cybersecurity enables a business to achieve success,” said Joshua Dray, San Jacinto College chief information security officer.
Not only will the security operations center ensure experienced graduates, but it will also create a training roadmap for other institutions. San Jacinto College is seeking designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, which will show its graduates are ready for this high-demand field.
High Demand, Big Skills Gaps
According to cyberseek.org, the U.S. employs 1.1 million cybersecurity professionals but needs almost 500,000 more. From 2023-2024, approximately 18% of cybersecurity jobs were unfilled.
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