Cyber Security

Plan, Implement, and Monitor Appropriate Security Controls to Reduce Computer Network Vulnerabilities and Safeguard Information

The cyber security curriculum focuses on planning, implementing, and monitoring appropriate security controls to safeguard and protect computer networks and information. The program provides you with the skills required to implement effective and comprehensive information security controls. Our program is supported by academic partnerships with Cisco, Oracle, Microsoft, NDG, Palo Alto, Red Hat, and VMWare.

The IT: Cyber Security degree program is a designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. This designation indicates that Pitt Community College meets the rigorous requirements set forth by the National Security Agency (NSA). The NSA awards CAE designations to institutions that commit to producing cybersecurity professionals that will reduce vulnerabilities in our national infrastructure.

Cyber Security Educational Options

Cyber Security AAS Degree

Complete an Associate Degree in Cyber Security in 5 semesters.

Cyber Security Certificate

Our Cyber Security Certificate program typically takes 4 semesters and 18 credit hours to complete.

Career & College Promise High School Pathway

Pitt Community College allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll in community college courses tuition-free based on the Career and College Promise program.

What does a cybersecurity analyst do?

As a cybersecurity analyst, you may be responsible for protecting company data, ensuring the digital safety of end-users, and assisting senior management with on-boarding new employees securely. You’ll also interface with leadership to form guidelines around company policy and network use.

You may also work directly with collected data to spot suspicious activity in databases, servers, networks, or other proprietary software. Once a breach occurs, you’ll lead efforts to mitigate the damage and prevent future attacks.

Why Choose Pitt Community College for Your Cyber Security Degree?

• Flexibility — Earn your associate degree part- or full-time, online, on campus, or in a hybrid format.
• Experiential learning — You may choose to participate in a co-op work experience. This program is designed to help you integrate your classroom study with practical, real-world situations.
• Institutional accreditation — Pitt Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• Program accreditation — The IT Cyber Security degree program is a designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. The designation indicates that Pitt Community College meets the rigorous requirements set forth by the National Security Agency (NSA).
• State-of-the-art technology — As a cyber security degree major, you’ll have access to a remote lab environment that allows us to host real lab equipment, virtual machines, and lab content. Faculty and students can access the lab remotely 24×7, allowing students access to real lab equipment for hands-on learning that is industry-relevant and based on industry standards through academic partnerships with Cisco, Red Hat, CompTIA, Palo Alto, VMware, Oracle, and EC-Council.
• Academic partnerships — All of the courses we offer develop your technical skills using content that is industry-relevant and based on industry standards through academic partnerships with Cisco, Red Hat, CompTIA, Palo Alto, VMware, Apple, Oracle, and EC-Council.

Career Opportunities for Cyber Security Majors

Students are prepared for entry- and intermediate-level jobs in cybersecurity. The average salaries for entry- and intermediate-level jobs in cybersecurity range from $60,000–$80,000.

Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 32 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Cyberseek provides real-time data on the number of cybersecurity-related job openings, state by state.

Explore a career in cyber security at the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies.