Applied Cybersecurity

Our mission is to bridge the digital divide in Southwest Florida by providing high-tier, professional-grade IT education to a diverse workforce. We are currently implementing a multi-year technology transformation plan designed to ensure our students have access to the same enterprise-level infrastructure and high-performance computing resources found in the nation's leading tech hubs.

The Applied Cybersecurity program at iTECH prepares the next generation of digital defenders by integrating industry-standard security frameworks with emerging AI-driven defense strategies. Students move beyond tool-based learning to master automated workflows, predictive threat hunting, and the ethical implementation of AI in security operations.

Students practice hands-on skills in computer & network security, security vulnerabilities, attack mechanisms & techniques, intrusion detection & prevention, cryptographic systems, system hardening, risk identification, incidence response, penetration testing, key management, access control, & recovery. New students must have previous career experience with computer systems, have passed an industry certification exam, or completed a PSAV course in Computer Systems.

Specialized courses focus on database security, planning and analysis, software, and web security.

AREA OF FOCUS

• Computer and Network Security
• AI Literacy
• Systems Thinking
• Workforce Transformation and Automation
• Attack Mechanisms and Techniques
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention
• Cryptographic Systems
• System Hardening
• Risk Identification
• Predictive Analysis
• Incidence Response
• Penetration Testing
• Key Management
• Access Control and Recovery
• Specialized courses focus on Database Security, Planning and Analysis, Software and Web Security

PORTFOLIO AND COURSE PROJECTS

Applied Cybersecurity students prepare a portfolio that highlights the skills they learned, in order to prepare them for a challenging career, and a showcase of certifications earned. Students also create a professional resume and letter of application.

There are a variety of projects within the four Occupational Completion Points. Students will need to complete all of the projects in order to satisfy the curriculum requirements for this course.

Industry Simulation Environment

Students execute real-world security protocols in a simulated Security Operations Center (SOC) environment.

Students use industry-standard tools (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow for threat modeling) and AI-integrated SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) platforms," and "Virtual SOC (Security Operations Center) simulations.

Dedicated Computing Lab for Red Team/Blue Team exercises.

Graduate with Career- Ready Skills!

ENTRY & EXIT REQUIREMENTS

• Specific Admissions Requirements: Successful completion of Computer Systems & Information Technology or prior industry certification(s), and/or experience with computer systems technology.

• DOE Basic Skills Exit Requirements: Communications 9, Computation 9 (unless exempt).

• CASAS Exit Requirements: Communications 239+, Computation 236+ (unless exempt). 

PREP FOR EMPLOYMENT

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and cybersecurity related careers in the Information Technology career cluster. It also provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of cybersecurity.

• Internships
  Various professional organizations are partners with iTECH, working to provide internship opportunities for our students.
   
• Workforce Education Internship Program
  Students participate in work-based learning experiences in their field of study outside of the classroom. ITECH has a Workforce Internship Program for those students who need work experience, but do not have an out-of-school job.
   
• Job Placement
  Our competent counseling staff provides job postings on a daily basis, with help in resume writing and the interviewing process.

CERTIFICATE

A certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete the program’s competencies and satisfy basic skill requirements in accordance with state guidelines. Students will also have the opportunity to test and earn additional industry and national credentials through the training program.

Aligning with the broader Technology Industry, curriculum is ever evolving to include:

• AI for Threat Detection: Using machine learning models to identify anomalies in network traffic.

• Automated Incident Response: Understanding how SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) tools streamline the defense pipeline.

• Ethics of Trustworthy AI: Navigating the security implications of generative AI and large language models (LLMs).

• Infrastructure Equity: Special emphasis is put upon securing Industrial systems given the close relationship iTECH has with the agricultural communities in Immokalee and surrounding areas.