Online Undergraduate Cybersecurity Certificate Program
Cybersecurity Certificate: Protect Data from Hackers
In today’s world, where hackers pose increasing threats to critical data, companies rely on skilled cybersecurity professionals to safeguard their assets.1 The Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Foundations at Grand Canyon University supports aspiring information technology (IT) and cybersecurity professionals. The program is designed to equip you with essential knowledge and hands-on experience in cybersecurity tools, technologies and procedures, to help you prepare to combat and prevent cyber threats in your career.
Deepen Your Skills With Our Undergraduate Certificate
This certificate offers a strategic pathway for college students looking to enhance their talents. This program does not grant professional certification directly but provides essential tools and experiences to pursue opportunities in the cybersecurity field. The skills taught in this certificate program can help prepare you to work toward pursuing professional certification. It represents an opportunity to enhance your skills, deepen your expertise and strengthen your foundational understanding of cybersecurity principles.
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Gain Practical Skills Needed to Stop Cyber Threats
Cybersecurity involves protecting entities and individuals from cyber threats and attacks by safeguarding computers, networks, sensitive data, hardware and software programs, and developing essential defensive skills.1 In this program, you will be taught the following competencies:
- Identifying vulnerabilities
- Performing risk assessments
- Implementing security measures and best practices
- Preparing to respond to unauthorized access and cyberwarfare damages
- Developing a disaster recovery plan
You will have the opportunity to develop essential skills in investigating, combatting and mitigating global cyber threats and attacks. Our knowledgeable educators reinforce your understanding of network technologies and information security, to help you gain current strategies for enhancing the security of global network systems.
Program Coursework and Topics
This cybersecurity certificate program integrates practical, hands-on activities that go beyond theory. Courses will focus on the deployment of advanced techniques in exploitation, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, policy management, security program design and cyber defense activities. You will also have the opportunity to delve into the realm of professional communications and conduct skills associated with a career in technology.
Course topics include:
- LANs, WANs, service providers, protocols and more
- Cloud technologies
- Scalability planning
- Deployment of enterprise applications
- Relationship between cybersecurity and ethical hacking
- Incident management and data loss prevention
- Cyber technologies for forensic investigations
Program domain areas include:
- Network technologies and system administration
- Ethical hacking and forensic investigations
- Information systems technical skills
- Network technologies and information security platforms
- Cybersecurity foundations
Each course is designed to build upon the knowledge learned in the previous course in sequence and provide a networking and security foundation. This can equip you with the skills necessary for potential opportunities in cybersecurity following completion of the program.
Career Paths for Cybersecurity Certificate Holders
Along with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, this certificate program may help prepare you for various cybersecurity careers. Career possibilities include:
- Computer and information systems manager
- Information security analyst
- Computer network support specialist
- Database administrator
- Computer network architect
- Database architect
- Network and computer systems administrator
You may find working in a cybersecurity career to be a rewarding and challenging path within the technology field. This is also a field with a growing need for qualified professionals; as the job growth for information security analysts is projected to grow by an estimated 32% from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).2 For those who wish to develop deeper skills in the field of cyber defense, GCU also offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity.
Earn Your Certificate From an Accredited University
Since 1968, GCU has maintained institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring the quality and rigor of its educational programs. The College of Engineering and Technology shares the university’s commitment to providing students with a reputable and respected academic experience across various disciplines.
Cybersecurity Certificate Program FAQs
Whether you're considering advancing your IT skills or entering the cybersecurity field, answers to these frequently asked questions can help provide clarity on what our program offers and how it can benefit you.
We offer an undergraduate online cybersecurity certificate, providing you with an education in a format that is convenient and flexible. Resources and support are available to help you navigate our online learning system while you pursue your information security education.
Before deciding which one is best, it’s important to note the differences between a certificate and certification. Certificates such as this Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Foundations will focus on specific skills and advancing your knowledge in the area. Certifications typically involve passing an exam to validate broader expertise in cybersecurity and often result in receiving a credential or certificate.
The best certificate depends on your career goals and current skill level. Professional certificates and certifications like CompTIA Security+, Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)® and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are highly regarded in the industry.4 It's essential to research each certificate's requirements, content and relevance to your career path before choosing the one that best aligns with your goals.
As global organizations face growing threats, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly vital. A significant majority of small and medium sized businesses recognize the urgency of addressing cybersecurity concerns, with many planning to bolster their investment in this critical area over the next year.5
Pursuing an education in cybersecurity, along with obtaining a bachelor’s degree, may be worthwhile, equipping you with essential skills to tackle evolving cyber threats and contribute effectively to organizational security measures. Additionally, the median annual wage for information security analysts is $120,360 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.3
The speed at which you can learn cybersecurity depends on various factors such as your prior knowledge of IT and security concepts, your dedication to learning and the intensity of the program or courses you undertake. With focused effort and commitment, you can make significant progress in mastering cybersecurity skills. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor to determine how long it takes to earn a certificate in cybersecurity.
If you’re interested in helping others stay safe online, this certificate may be right for you!
1 Kaspersky. (n.d.). What is Cyber Security? Retrieved on Aug. 4, 2023.
2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, retrieved on July 19, 2024.
3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Information Security Analysts, as of May 2023, retrieved on July 19, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as information security analysts, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
4 Seiter, C. (2024, Feb. 19). Check Out the 10 Best Cybersecurity Certifications. Forbes. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
5 Griffiths, C. (2024, Jan. 7). The Latest 2024 Cyber Crime Statistics. AAG. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the role of computing technology within business and corporate environments. Introductions to concepts, terminologies, and a wide use of relevant daily software and tools relevant to any career in the information technology field. Topics include: Technology-integrated academics, digital networking concepts, systems administration and maintenance, information security, database and transactional systems, cloud technologies, scripting, and project management.
Course Description
This course exposes students to the fundamentals of networks and networking in IT. It then builds deeper understanding of how networks work, including the topics of LANs, WANs, service providers, packets, hubs, routers, switches, and internet protocols. The laboratory reinforces and expands learning of principles introduced in the lecture. Hands-on activities focus on setting up and configuring local and enterprise networks, experimenting with various topologies, and scalability planning with routers and switches.
Course Description
This course introduces students to system administration and maintenance as well as platform technologies. The course surveys operating systems, applications, administrative activities and domains, computer architecture and organization, and computing infrastructures. The laboratory reinforces and expands learning of principles introduced in the lecture. Hands-on activities focus on developing practical skills in configuring computer systems, deploying enterprise applications, managing user permissions, and remote administration. Prerequisite: ITT-116.
Course Description
This course builds upon knowledge already acquired in the areas of system architecture and operating systems and focuses on the core issues of information security. Students learn fundamental concepts of information security including data encryption, security awareness, legal and ethical issues, operational issues, security policies, and attack types; while expanding on the coverage to include security domains, forensics, security services, threat analysis, and vulnerabilities assessments. Prerequisite: ITT-120, or ITT-121 or CST-125 or CST-126 or CST-220 or CST-221.
Course Description
This course covers mathematical models for computer security. It analyzes and compares the properties of various models for hardware, software, and database security. The course examines how system designs, network protocols, and software engineering practices can result in vulnerabilities. Students learn to design, evaluate, ethically hack, and implement adequate security measures that can safeguard sensitive information. Prerequisite: ITT-307.
Course Description
This course covers the processes and goals of cyber forensics investigations. Hands-on activities include using multiple reporting systems to initiate and provide on-going support for information security investigations relating to data privacy, incident management, data loss prevention, and digital forensics. Prerequisite: ITT-307.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.