Cybersecurity defense teams with unique skills in preventing security breaches are in demand, and Lone Star College-Westway Park Technology Center is where cybersecurity professionals are being trained.
Come learn about the program and how to register at the Cybersecurity Open House from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Oct. 19. Attendees will have an opportunity to talk with industry experts and faculty about this exciting field. There will be an open discussion at 10:30 a.m. with guest speakers from various organizations, followed by a tour of the facility, which includes a view of the 2,300-square-foot, fully-functional data center training lab and cybersecurity classroom training labs.
“What makes our cybersecurity program unique is that it’s a two-year degree program in which students can also earn certifications (in just a few weeks) in CCNA, CEH, and CCNA cyber ops,” said Cisco Academy Program Director Donna Ivey. “And we have expert faculty who work in the field as well as industry standard equipment for hands-on learning.”
LSC-Westway Park Technology Center’s adjunct instructor Reynaldo Gonzalez also works for United Airlines as a Principle Cybersecurity Architect, a senior level position interfacing with many different cybersecurity groups within the Information Technology Security organization.
He believes the LSC classroom’s hands-on experience and achievement of cybersecurity certifications or degrees, will help graduates get ahead of the curve and noticed faster for entry level jobs in this constantly changing industry.
“Security is only as strong as the weakest link, which is people. Processes are needed to help organizations follow and implement security standards and policies when security events occur or before they occur. Technologies are needed to stop, reduce, mitigate, or change how threats are handled,” said Gonzalez. “So skills in any of these areas make employees valuable when they pursue ways to improve on and understand cybersecurity.”
With a 32% employment growth rate from 2018 to 2028, the demand for information security analysts who can provide innovative solutions to stop hacking of critical information in computer networks is very high, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. The median average salary for such cybersecurity employees is $98,350.
For information on LSC-Westway Park Technology Center’s open house or the Cybersecurity degree program, contact Ivey at Donna.B.Ivey@LoneStar.edu or call 346.275.6026.