Online Certificate in Cybersecurity 2:

Essential
System Forensics
and Defense

Defending an organization’s infrastructure and systems is critically important as cyberattacks can become financially disastrous. With ACU’s online undergraduate Certificate in Essential System Forensics and Defense, you will focus on strategies to effectively manage computer hardware, operating systems, and deflecting scams from external sources. Building off the Certificate in Fundamental System Security, you can earn an additional credential to propel you into the workforce.

Defending an organization’s infrastructure and systems is critically important as cyberattacks can become financially disastrous. With ACU’s online undergraduate Certificate in Essential System Forensics and Defense, you will focus on strategies to effectively manage computer hardware, operating systems, and deflecting scams from external sources. Building off the Certificate in Fundamental System Security, you can earn an additional credential to propel you into the workforce.

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Defend and Protect Your Company

As a companion to our Certificate in Fundamental System Security, this online undergraduate certificate in Essential System Forensics and Defense will equip you with a set of IT skills necessary to defend and protect your company’s enterprise. Following a comprehensive and modernized curriculum, you can achieve the latest techniques and knowledge to become an IT security expert, all hosted within our supportive and encouraging vibrant, virtual Christ-centered community.

Locked-In Tuition

Introducing
Locked-In Tuition.

Our Locked-In Tuition program guarantees you’ll pay the same price for your entire certificate program.

About the Program

ACU’s online undergraduate Certificate in Essential System Forensics and Defense gives you the opportunity to jump from our Certificate in Fundamental System Security and learn the basics of computer programming and system defenses in order to understand how to provide assistance to company’s undergoing cyberattacks. Honed in on teaching you necessary skills to manage databases, apply current tools and techniques to support client/server softwares, and re-establish communications infrastructure, you can be prepared to enter into the workforce and start your career in protecting and defending confidential information.

Program Structure

All the Details on Your Degree

Advance your IT understanding of basic security techniques by taking courses related to controlling data for computer softwares, understanding how to organize networks, defending systems, incident detection and providing additional protection for internal vulnerabilities across the board. Through your coursework, you’ll gain additional knowledge to prepare for the CompTia Security+ certification exam, a global certification that validates the baseline skills needed to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career.

Stackable Certificate

You’re one step closer to a bachelor’s degree.

Want to expand your skills in cybersecurity and information technology? This certificate’s credit hours are stackable toward ACU’s online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree. It’s a great option if you plan on applying for the undergraduate program at a later time. Simply complete the certificate program, and ACU will seamlessly apply your 15 credit hours toward your bachelor’s.

Required Hours

15 hours
6-12 months timeframe
Cost: $395/Hour with $600 resource fee per semester

Example Coursework

Introduction to Databases and Database Management Systems
Networks and Security Administration
System Forensics
Incident Detection, Prevention, and Response

Upcoming Start Dates

August 20, 2024
January 14, 2024

Common Job Titles

Information Security Analyst
Software Security Engineer
Penetration Tester
Security Consultant

Infosec Partnership

ACU + InfosecEmbark on a transformative cybersecurity education journey with ACU Online, powered by an innovative partnership with Infosec, the leader in cybersecurity training. This collaboration seamlessly integrates Infosec-backed training into our cutting-edge coursework, ensuring that you gain practical expertise during your academic program. This unique fusion of hands-on skills and academic rigor will position you as a leader in the dynamic field of cybersecurity, opening doors to exciting career opportunities.

Already have industry certifications from CompTIA? ACU will award you up to 4 hours of academic credit for your learning achievements, helping you fast-track your path to a cybersecurity certificate. Join us in shaping the future of cybersecurity education – where the best of Infosec meets the academic excellence of ACU Online.

Meet the Program Director

Dr. Joe Feliciano is the Program Director for the Certificate in Essential System Forensics and Defense, Certificate in Fundamental System Security, Certificate in Cybersecurity, Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Administration, and Master of Science in Information Technology programs. He received his doctorate from Pace University in New York. His master’s degree in Information Systems is from Long Island University, and his undergraduate work was completed at Hawaii Pacific University in Business Administration. 

After leaving the U.S. Air Force in 1995, he began to work on Windows Servers, PCs, and Mainframe Systems for manufacturing, health care, and telecom organizations. He has been teaching IT management, computer networking, database, and cybersecurity courses since 2007.

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate of information security analysts is projected to grow 15 percent within the next few years, faster than any other occupation. With close to 20,000 open positions projected every year across the country, the need for educated and trained professionals is at an all-time high. Opportunities exist in various types of settings and disciplines from small to large businesses, private to nonprofit, government entities, and a wide spectrum of companies and industries seeking to keep their networks secured and upgraded with the pace of new technology.

Fingerprint Scanning on blue technology Illustration, Certificate in Cybersecurity

To be considered for admission, students must: 

Students are not required to submit ACT or SAT test scores.

Graduation Requirements: Students must earn a 2.0 GPA or higher to meet graduation requirements and successfully complete all required courses.

SACSCOC Stamp Color

Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga. 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of ACU.

Abilene Christian University enjoys a strong national reputation as one of the leading private Christian universities in the west and southwest, indicated by various ratings (such as U.S. News and World Report and other reports).