About This Program
CSU’s CyberSkills2Work, known as the Cybersecurity Nexus program, is Columbus State University’s unique and effective response to help rapidly solve the world’s shortage of trained, work-ready cybersecurity professionals. Through the Nexus program, our students gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills that help them become ready for a career in cybersecurity in as little as 12 months! Our Certificate is a 30-hour “Rapid Workforce Development” program that Nexus students complete in 12 months. The Certificate consists of ten 3-hour classes for a total of 30 hours. The program is cohort-based, so Nexus students stay with their “team” the entire duration of the program. This allows rich community and collaboration to develop within each cohort and between cohorts. The intent is to simulate a work team environment collaborating with other work teams as much as possible in an academic setting. The Certificate is delivered in a boot-camp style with classes meeting 3 hours per day 5 days per week.
About This Pathway
The Exploitation Analyst Pathway is designed to prepare participants for an exploitation analyst work role where they can collaborate to identify access and collection gaps that can be satisfied through cyber collection and/or preparation activities. Leverages all authorized resources and analytic techniques to penetrate targeted networks. Pathway graduates might also perform job duties as a computer cybersecurity analyst; network defense technician; security analyst; threat analyst; or vulnerability analyst.
Eligibility
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Must be a veteran, transitioning service member, first responder, woman, military spouse, underrepresented minority, or government personnel.
- Must have at least a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. (School transcripts of the highest level education completed are required.)
Prerequisites
No prerequisite knowledge required. Must become accepted as a student at CSU to participate in the Cybersecurity Nexus program.
Cost
Columbus State University's Tuition and Fees are Required. Please contact CSU for more information. (Aiken_Laurie@columbusstate.edu)
Target Work Role(s)
Delivery Format
In-Person (On Campus)
Level
Entry Level
Industry Certifications Included
-
No industry certifications are offered in this pathway.
Start And End Dates
- 2023-08-14 -- 2025-05-25
Duration (In Weeks)
85
Pathway Courses
- Information Technology Fundamentals
- Fundamentals of Computer Networks
- Fundamentals of Information Security
- Infrastructure Security
- Professionalism in the Cybersecurity Workforce
- Network Defense Professional
- Cybersecurity Apprenticeship I
- Penetration Testing Student
- Advanced Penetration Testing
- Cybersecurity Apprenticeship II
Digital Badges Awarded
Participants will be presented with digital badges upon the completion of each course and the successful passing of industry certification exams, contingent on the inclusion of a certification exam prep course in the pathway. Additionally, graduates of the pathway will be awarded with a pathway badge.
