Cybersecurity Center
Cosumnes River College's Security Program is the oldest one in the State of California. Our certificate and degree are designed to give students currently employed as an Information Technology (IT) professional or those currently working on their Networking degree the additional skill sets necessary to work in this rapidly growing field.
Program Information
- Cybersecurity, Certificate of Achievement Degree Map
- Cybersecurity and Information Assurance A.S. Degree Map
- Sample CISN and CISS schedules
- ICT – Cybersecurity Regional Advisory (March 2022)
View CIS Degrees and Certificates
Highlights
- Hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art computer center.
- Opportunities to work on specialized projects.
- Study in a field that has great employment opportunities and encompasses many careers.
Career Opportunities
- Cybersecurity Specialist/Analyst
- Information Technology Technician
- Network/Systems Administrator
Contact Information
Director: Professor Lance Parks, parksl@crc.losrios.edu
Instructional Assistant: Norbert Meroux, merouxn@crc.losrios.edu
Security Awareness Training Videos
Online training videos are offered to those who handle secure information or deal with private student data, personal identity information, research data, social security numbers, or financial aid data as part of their job functions.
Anyone with a California Community College email address can sign up for a free account at CCC Information Security Center.
Cybrary.it also provides free IT security training.
Memberships and Designations
Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) Designation
Cosumnes River College is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).
This award was established by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and CyberWatch.
The goal of this program is to proactively increase the understanding of Information Assurance (IA) and Cyber Defense (CD) technology, policy and practices that will enable our nation to effectively prevent and respond to a catastrophic cyber event. This program will contribute significantly to the advancement of state-of-the-art IA/CD knowledge and practice.
Students can learn more about this program at the National Security Agency website.
NCyTE Membership
Cosumnes River College is a member of the NCyTE Center. Located on the Whatcom Community College campus, the NCyTE Center is supported by an NSF Advanced Technological Education Grant and comprised of four founding regional institutions and additional educational members and industry partners.
Learn more at the NCyTE Center website.
View the CyberWatch West Memorandum of Understanding (PDF).
CSUS Collaboration
Cosumnes River College has a Memorandum of Understanding with California State University, Sacramento between their two Cybersecurity Programs. Students may be able to waive some courses at CSUS as part of this agreement. Contact Professor Parks at parksl@crc.losrios.edu for more details.
Ask a Question About the Program
"I’ve never shut the door to education, because there is still so much that I do not know. If you’re not learning, you’re not growing."
Cory Lantay
Alum / 2014 / Computer Information Systems Security / Cosumnes River College
1. How did you choose CRC?
I graduated from CRC with my Associates of Science in May 2014.
I began attending CRC in spring of 2011 knowing that there was a lot I wanted to achieve. Professionally, I didn’t have very much going for me, and I needed to change that.
I always had a love for computers, particularly information security, so I began by taking some general requirement classes as well as some CIS classes to get myself back into education.
My major was Computer Information Systems Security, in which I attained my Associates of Science. It was always something I had a huge passion for, and with the growing field of Information Security/Cybersecurity being needed by nearly any organization conducting business over the internet, it was also a lucrative degree in which to invest my time.
2. In what ways are instructor(s) at CRC different?
When I was taking my CISS 310 class, I chose to go with the hybrid course, which was more of an online class than on-grounds. I was surprised by the abundance of engagement the professor of this course, Lance Parks, had with the students (including myself). He was always there to answer questions about topics or concepts, and always made sure to follow-up with me so that I understood them.
There were times where I would meet with him during office hours to discuss things that didn’t make sense to me, and every time I would walk away having a much better understanding. Even after I completed CISS 310, I would continue to take my other required CIS classes with him. Over the years, he has become my mentor while navigating my educational and professional career.
Since then, we have become good friends and communicate often. It is this level of commitment professors of CRC and the Los Rios Community College District possess regarding the success of their students.
3. Were there any surprises/struggles along the way, and what did you learn from them?
At one point, I began getting frustrated with the educational path I was on to the point that I made the decision to stop attending college and focus on gaining professional experience.
This is something that I still struggle with, but I have learned that continuing your education leads to pathways previously unknown. There have been topics and areas of study that have fascinated me and led me to pursue more knowledge about them. I’ve never shut the door to education, because there is still so much that I do not know. If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. That has been my take-away with regard to higher education.