Cybersecurity and IT Certificates
The Cybersecurity Boot Camp is your gateway to this rapidly growing field!
Cybersecurity Modules and Core IT Modules to fit your starting point.
Net+, Sec+ (IT): Jan. 13 - Feb. 22, 2025
Sec+, PenTest+ (Cybersecurity): March 3 - April 12, 2025
- CompTIA Partnership: Get a head start on certification test preparation.
- Student Success: Stay on track with personalized academic support and workshops you need to achieve your career goals.
- Career Support: Free career advising available to help you plan your next steps. Find out about internship opportunities to help you gain real-world experience.
- Network with instructors, mentors, and like-minded individuals passionate about cybersecurity.
- Program flexibility: Program design offers flexibility you need to balance your work-life schedule while providing the structure and support.
- Innovative instruction: Our online cybersecurity course offers live interactive virtual classes led by skilled instructors.
- Real-world projects: Our industry-driven curriculum teaches you the most in-demand skills through real-world examples. Everything you will learn is immediately applicable to a professional environment.
With the ever-increasing threat of cybercrime, cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand global fields today. The economic impact of cybercrime is growing, and organizations need cybersecurity specialists with the specialized technical skills needed to defend mission-critical computer systems, networks, and cloud applications against cyberattacks. In 2020, the average cost to businesses affected by a data breach in the United States was $8.64 million, up 32% from 2015, and nearly double the global average.1
You can help protect organizations and populations from the growing threat of cyberattacks. As the world grows more connected and automated, the demand for cybersecurity specialists is on the rise.
Information security is a fast-growing field:
$403 billion
|
600,000 |
$103k/$119k |
|
Projected value of the cybersecurity market through 2027 Source: Forbes |
Number of unfilled cybersecurity positions in the US in 2022 Source: Bloomberg |
Information Security Analyst median yearly salary, US/NM Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
By the time you've completed the boot camps, you will have mastered in-demand skills, built an impressive portfolio of projects applying your new skills in practical scenarios, and earned valuable Industry Certifications. With the support of our engaged instructors, TAs, peers, and graduates, you'll be well on your way to a successful career in cybersecurity.
Sign-up for the Cybersecurity Boot Camps and start your journey towards a rewarding career and make a real difference in the world of digital defense.
IT Core Certificates - recommended for those new to IT/Computer Science
A+ Certificate (6 weeks) - $1,500
Date: Self-paced
REGISTER HERE
The A+ Core Series requires candidates to pass two CompTIA exams: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102) covering the following new content, emphasizing the technologies and skills IT pros need to support a hybrid workforce:
- Increased reliance on SaaS applications for remote work.
- How to remotely diagnose and correct common software, hardware, or connectivity problems.
- Evolving core technologies from cloud virtualization and IoT device security to data management and scripting.
- Multiple operating systems, when to use them, and how to keep them running properly.
- Reflects the changing nature of the job, including how to assess if it’s best to fix something on site, or send it to a specialized provider.
You will learn:
- Hardware - Identifying, using, and connecting hardware components and devices, when to use them, and how to keep them running properly.
- Operating Systems - Install and support Windows OS.
- Software Troubleshooting - PC and mobile device issues including common OS, malware, and security issues.
- Network types and Connections - TCP/IP, WIFI and SOHO.
- Troubleshoot - real-world device and network issues quickly and efficiently.
- Security Vulnerability - identification and protection for devices and network.
- Install and Configure - laptops and other mobile devices and support applications.
- Cloud Computing - concepts and set up client-side virtualization.
Please contact audreysinclair@unm.edu for more information.
Network+ Certificate (6 weeks) - $1,500
Date: Jan. 13-Feb. 22, 2025
REGISTER HERE
This certificate requires you to pass the CompTIA N10-008 exam. In this module, you will be prepared to support networks on any platform. You will develop the knowledge and skills required to design, troubleshoot, and implement functional networks on the job.
You will learn:
- Network Fundamentals - services, physical connections, topologies and architecture, and cloud connectivity.
- Network Implementations - routing technologies and networking devices.
- Network Operations - monitor and optimize, traffic analysis, Wireshark.
- Network Security - harden networks against threats, cryptography and encryption.
- Network Troubleshooting - common cable, connectivity, and software issues.
Jobs in Network+:
- Solution Architect
- Tier II IT Support Technician
- IT Support Manager
- Network Administrator
- Server Administrator
- Business Analyst
- Systems Engineer, Network Engineer
Please contact audreysinclair@unm.edu if you have any questions!
Cybersecurity Certificates
Security Fundamentals, Security+ Certificate (6 weeks) - $1,500
Date: Jan. 13-Feb. 22, 2025
REGISTER HERE
This certificate requires successful pass of two CompTIA exams: SY0-601 & SY0-701. In this module, you will learn to think like a cybersecurity professional by assessing threats and mitigating risks. You will also look at security from an organizational perspective as you dive into Governance, Risk, and Compliance. You will study cryptography, network and cloud security, and virtualization. You will learn how security controls impact an organization and its employees. This will enable you to communicate with non-security professionals, work with stakeholders outside of the security space, and understand how teams interact in an organization.
You will learn:
- Attacks, Threats and Vulnerabilities - monitor and secure hybrid environments, including cloud, mobile, IoT, DDOS, and social engineering. Learn XXS vulnerability and Zenmap
- Architecture and Design - enterprise environments and reliance on the cloud and hybrid networks. Network Architecture, cloud virtualization, Kerberos, and operations.
- Implementation - identity, access management, PKI, cryptography, wireless, Email and end-to-end security.
- Operations and Incidence Response - basic threat detection, risk mitigation techniques, security controls and basic digital forensics.
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance - operate with an awareness of applicable laws and policies, including principles of governance, risk, and compliance.
Jobs in Security+:
- Cybersecurity Manager
- Tier II IT Support Technician
- IT Support Manager
- Systems Administrator
- Business Analyst
Please contact audreysinclair@unm.edu for more information.
Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Management, PenTest+ Certificate (6 weeks) - $1,500
Date: March 3-April 12, 2025
REGISTER HERE!
This certificate requires successful pass the CompTIA exam: PT0-002. You will develop the skills necessary for cybersecurity professionals tasked with penetration testing and vulnerability management. This module covers hands-on vulnerability assessment, scanning and analysis, as well as planning, scoping, and managing weaknesses. You will gain a thorough understanding of web applications, databases, and the vulnerabilities and hardening associated with them.
You will learn:
- Planning and Scoping - techniques emphasizing governance, risk and compliance concepts, vulnerability and port scanning, and organizational requirements.
- Attacks and Exploits – ethical hacking, social engineering techniques, Burpsuite, Searchsploit and Metasploit attacks on network, wireless, application-based, and on cloud technologies.
- Reporting and Communication - analyzing findings and recommending appropriate remediation within a report.
- Tools and Code Analysis - script or code sample and cases of various tools used during the phases of a penetration test.
Jobs in PenTest+:
- Vulnerability Analyst
- Security Consultant
- Cloud/Penetration Tester
- Web App Penetration Tester
- Cloud Security Specialist
- Network Security Specialist/Operations
- Threat Intelligence Analyst
Please contact audreysinclair@unm.edu if you have any questions!
Cybersecurity Analyst, CySA+ Certificate (6 weeks) - $1,500
Date: TBD
This certificate requires successful pass of two CompTIA exams: CS0-002 & CS0-003. You will develop the skills necessary for cybersecurity professionals tasked with incident detection, prevention and response through SIEMs and continuous network security monitoring. This module covers skills in detecting and analyzing indicators of malicious activity with incident response and vulnerability management processing tools. You will cover the Incident Response framework and practice responding to different breaches and attacks.
You will learn:
- Security Operations - leverage intelligence, threat detection, Splunk
- monitoring and logging, and threat management techniques.
- Vulnerability Management - analyze and interpret data, identify, and address vulnerabilities.
- Incidence Response and Management - effectively respond to and recover from incidents, forensics, data extraction and recovery.
- Reporting and Communication of related activity and preparing evidence for a legal case.
Jobs in CySA+:
- Vulnerability Analyst
- Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
- Applications Security Analyst
- Threat Hunter
- Threat Intelligence Analyst
- Security Architect
- Cybersecurity Engineer
Advanced Security Practitioner, CASP+ Certificate (6 weeks) - $2,000
Date: TBD
This certificate requires successful pass of the CompTIA exam: CAS-004. You will develop the skills necessary for advanced cybersecurity architects and senior security engineers tasked with leading and improving an enterprise’s cybersecurity readiness. This module covers skills to assess cyber readiness within an enterprise, and design and implement the proper solutions to ensure the organization is ready for the next attack.
You will learn:
- Security Architecture - develop enterprise-wide, zero trust security architecture with advanced secure cloud networks and virtualization solutions.
- Security Operations - advanced threat management, vulnerability management, risk mitigation, incident response tactics and digital forensics analysis.
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance - cybersecurity resiliency metric and compliance to regulations, such as CMMC, PCI-DSS, SOX, HIPAA, GDPR, FISMA, NIST and CCPA.
- Security Engineering and Cryptography - endpoint security controls, enterprise mobility, cloud/hybrid environments, and enterprise-wide PKI and cryptographic solutions.
Jobs in CASP+:
- SOC Manager
- Cyber Risk Analyst
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Security Architect
- Cybersecurity Engineer
For more information, please contact our Community and Workforce Partnerships Manager, audreysinclair@unm.edu.