Cyber security classes for college student

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. I don't want to go the NOVA route as I don't want to take classes in this is a word processor, this is a spreadsheet, etc.

I'm a computer science major at the University of Mary Washington and my courses are interesting but there's nothing like a Cisco course.

I don't want to be a tech but I think I need to take some tech courses to see if I even like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice. I don't want to go the NOVA route as I don't want to take classes in this is a word processor, this is a spreadsheet, etc.

I'm a computer science major at the University of Mary Washington and my courses are interesting but there's nothing like a Cisco course.

I don't want to be a tech but I think I need to take some tech courses to see if I even like this.

1. Your school probably have network related courses for CS electives
2. Look into the free/cheap online courses - Udemy, Coursea, EdX
3. Look into some certificaiton options on the side such as ComTia or Cisco, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice. I don't want to go the NOVA route as I don't want to take classes in this is a word processor, this is a spreadsheet, etc.

I'm a computer science major at the University of Mary Washington and my courses are interesting but there's nothing like a Cisco course.

I don't want to be a tech but I think I need to take some tech courses to see if I even like this.

1. Your school probably have network related courses for CS electives
2. Look into the free/cheap online courses - Udemy, Coursea, EdX
3. Look into some certificaiton options on the side such as ComTia or Cisco, etc.

Thank you. We don't start electives until after the deadline to declare our major. I was thinking it would be good to get exposed to the electives before the signing deadline, in case I don't like it as I would have time to switch my major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with taking a hacking class.

Do you need a compTia security + certification You also need to learn Cisco so I would either get the Cisco certification or the Cisco security certification.

The thing is you can’t just take one class and be a cyber security specialist. You’re not gonna be able to just take a class over the Summer, and all of a sudden the cyber security certified.

Oh please plenty of companies higher people with. no degrees but excellent coding skills.

OP you can absolutely do this.

Knowlege learning always a good thing ignore the trolls.

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but what do those in the IT/cyber/comsci world think of getting certified in

COMPTIA A+ and/or CCNA as a starting point? What is the starting point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with taking a hacking class.

Do you need a compTia security + certification You also need to learn Cisco so I would either get the Cisco certification or the Cisco security certification.

The thing is you can’t just take one class and be a cyber security specialist. You’re not gonna be able to just take a class over the Summer, and all of a sudden the cyber security certified.

Oh please plenty of companies higher people with. no degrees but excellent coding skills.

OP you can absolutely do this.

Knowlege learning always a good thing ignore the trolls.

Agree both of you. I am the one who suggested White Hat Hacking.
This White Hat Hacking is a FUN learning exercise that gives the depth of understanding needed
on "what FUTURE courses" a freshman would need to take to become professional in Cyber Security or for that matter in Network Engineering(Computer Science).

Any thing you learn in a fun way, instead of reading theory books , goes a long way. White Hat Hacking provides that fun and satisfaction while you learn Cyber Security foundational elements.

I don't minimize the importance of CCNA kind of CISCO certificates or paths. CISCO - CCNA is very valuable and opens up opportunities for highly paid JOBS.

The White Hat Hacking is just the beginning course/certificate, but definitely not the last one for a freshman.
While learning, he can show off and impress his friends too, on Cyber Security / Hacking.
BTW, High Schoolers are doing this now a days.
US Airforce has a program to encourage Elementary and High Schoolers to learn Cyber Security. See the link below.

https://www.uscyberpatriot.org/

Cyber Security knowledge and experience is very valuable for any professional dealing with IT Industry, including Computer Science graduates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with taking a hacking class.

Do you need a compTia security + certification You also need to learn Cisco so I would either get the Cisco certification or the Cisco security certification.

The thing is you can’t just take one class and be a cyber security specialist. You’re not gonna be able to just take a class over the Summer, and all of a sudden the cyber security certified.

Oh please plenty of companies higher people with. no degrees but excellent coding skills.

OP you can absolutely do this.

Knowlege learning always a good thing ignore the trolls.

NOPE, get a degree first.

[Anonymous]

Look at Community college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice. I don't want to go the NOVA route as I don't want to take classes in this is a word processor, this is a spreadsheet, etc.

I'm a computer science major at the University of Mary Washington and my courses are interesting but there's nothing like a Cisco course.

I don't want to be a tech but I think I need to take some tech courses to see if I even like this.

Why would the NOVA classes be that simplistic? I don’t think that’s the case. I was just looking at some summer program options they have for my HS student and they have several cybersecurity options as well as other things.

[Anonymous]

George Mason has a very successful program. You would apply as a non degree candidate to take summer courses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with taking a hacking class.

Do you need a compTia security + certification You also need to learn Cisco so I would either get the Cisco certification or the Cisco security certification.

The thing is you can’t just take one class and be a cyber security specialist. You’re not gonna be able to just take a class over the Summer, and all of a sudden the cyber security certified.

Oh please plenty of companies higher people with. no degrees but excellent coding skills.

OP you can absolutely do this.

Knowlege learning always a good thing ignore the trolls.

Those people did not code taking 1 class over the summer. Those people learned coding over many, many, many years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with taking a hacking class.

Do you need a compTia security + certification You also need to learn Cisco so I would either get the Cisco certification or the Cisco security certification.

The thing is you can’t just take one class and be a cyber security specialist. You’re not gonna be able to just take a class over the Summer, and all of a sudden the cyber security certified.

Oh please plenty of companies higher people with. no degrees but excellent coding skills.

OP you can absolutely do this.

Knowlege learning always a good thing ignore the trolls.

Agree both of you. I am the one who suggested White Hat Hacking.
This White Hat Hacking is a FUN learning exercise that gives the depth of understanding needed
on "what FUTURE courses" a freshman would need to take to become professional in Cyber Security or for that matter in Network Engineering(Computer Science).

Any thing you learn in a fun way, instead of reading theory books , goes a long way. White Hat Hacking provides that fun and satisfaction while you learn Cyber Security foundational elements.

I don't minimize the importance of CCNA kind of CISCO certificates or paths. CISCO - CCNA is very valuable and opens up opportunities for highly paid JOBS.

The White Hat Hacking is just the beginning course/certificate, but definitely not the last one for a freshman.
While learning, he can show off and impress his friends too, on Cyber Security / Hacking.
BTW, High Schoolers are doing this now a days.
US Airforce has a program to encourage Elementary and High Schoolers to learn Cyber Security. See the link below.

https://www.uscyberpatriot.org/

Cyber Security knowledge and experience is very valuable for any professional dealing with IT Industry, including Computer Science graduates.

I agree with everything you said but the OP said in his 1st post he wanted to get a certification.

Our HS ha a path for Cisco certification. So yes, HS students can do it, but it doesn't happen with 1 class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice. I don't want to go the NOVA route as I don't want to take classes in this is a word processor, this is a spreadsheet, etc.

I'm a computer science major at the University of Mary Washington and my courses are interesting but there's nothing like a Cisco course.

I don't want to be a tech but I think I need to take some tech courses to see if I even like this.

I think you really need to adjust your attitude and perspective about NOVA classes, specifically the non credit ones. They can absolutely be more in depth than word processing.

I mean your a freshman in CS so you think you know everything but you don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice. I don't want to go the NOVA route as I don't want to take classes in this is a word processor, this is a spreadsheet, etc.

I'm a computer science major at the University of Mary Washington and my courses are interesting but there's nothing like a Cisco course.

I don't want to be a tech but I think I need to take some tech courses to see if I even like this.

I think you really need to adjust your attitude and perspective about NOVA classes, specifically the non credit ones. They can absolutely be more in depth than word processing.

I mean your a freshman in CS so you think you know everything but you don't.

A freshman in CS who might not even stay in the major. Definitely in no position to be dismissive.

[Anonymous]

Is OP a troll? UMW very clearly has a Cybersecurity major as well as CISSP certification.

https://cas.umw.edu/computerscience/requirements/cybersecurity-major/

https://www.umw.edu/cps/career-advancement/cissp/