Cybersecurity
Information Assurance
Certificate II
Overview
The Certificate II in Information Assurance builds upon the knowledge and skills from Certificate I, providing advanced training in offensive and defensive cybersecurity techniques. Students gain experience in ethical hacking, penetration testing, and proactive security measures used to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Key areas of focus include:
- Ethical hacking and penetration testing methodologies
- Vulnerability assessment and exploitation techniques
- Scripting for automation and testing
- Advanced incident response and cyber defense strategies
This program aligns with industry certifications such as CompTIA PenTest+ and prepares students for careers in areas requiring more specialized skills in network defense and ethical hacking.
Graduates are prepared for positions such as Junior Penetration Tester, SOC Analyst, Cybersecurity Technician, or Vulnerability Assessment Specialist, with opportunities across industries including finance, law enforcement, defense, and private security firms.
Salaries vary depending on education, experience, and certifications. For more information on course sequencing, program outcomes, and admissions, visit the Information tab.
Information
The student seeking admission to the Information Assurance, Certificate II program must:
- Be admitted as an LC student
- A student must reapply if they last attended more than one year ago.
- Visit https://www.applytexas.org/ for more information.
- Ensure you have an LC Palomino ID and access to your LC student email before applying.
- Meet TSI Readiness Requirements
- Applicants must be TSI Ready in Reading, Writing, and Math to be eligible for program consideration.
- Sign the Code of Ethics Document
- All applicants must read, acknowledge, and sign the Information Assurance Code of Ethics form before submission.
- Program Interview
- Eligible applicants will participate in a program interview to assess their readiness, motivation, and alignment with program goals.
Plan of Study
| Recommended Course Sequence | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| ITNW 1325 - Foundamentals of Network Technologies | Fall | 3 |
| ITSY 1442 - Information Technology Security | Fall | 4 |
| ITSY 2401 - Firewalls and Network Security | Fall | 4 |
| ITSY 2441 - Security Management Practices | Fall | 4 |
| 15 Hours | ||
| Semester 2 | ||
| ITSY 2330 - Intrusion Detection | Spring | 3 |
| ITSY 2442 - Incident Response & Handling | Spring | 4 |
| ITSY 2445 - Network Defense and Countermeasures | Spring | 4 |
| ITSY 2459 - Security Assessment and Auditing | Spring | 4 |
| 15 Hours | ||
| Certificate leads to Information Assruance, Associate of Applied Science degree | ||
Note: All Cybersecurity courses require a grade of "C" or better.
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Cybersecurity - Information Assurance Pathway