Miami Dade College’s cybersecurity training is the most comprehensive and affordable in the region. The College is meeting the workforce demands of the fastest-growing industry in the digital world, aligning training with local, national and global needs. Cybersecurity students receive top-of-the-line classroom education and intense hands-on training mirroring techniques used by military and intelligence agencies.
“The vision for cybersecurity at MDC is to provide the talent that is needed for the workforce,” said Antonio Delgado, MDC’s vice president of Innovation and Technology Partnerships. “For the last four years, we have been building our programs in ways that really connect students with the right skills, hands-on learning, and learning by doing.”
MDC’s training is for everyone, from novices eager to join the field to seasoned professionals looking to upskill. They train at the College’s Cyberbit Range, participating in ever-evolving, real-world cyberattack simulations. In addition to offering associate and bachelor’s degrees, certificates, and digital badge training, MDC students benefit from other programs and activities, including Cybersecurity Clubs and competitions.
The College’s cybersecurity profile is further bolstered by a 19-member advisory committee comprised of leaders in the industry. An invaluable asset, the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee advises MDC leadership on curriculum and facilitates master classes, internship opportunities and more.
A Leader in Cybersecurity Training
There is a huge demand for skilled professionals to fill gaps in the growing cybersecurity industry – and MDC is staying ahead of the curve.
The College’s investment has paid off with a prestigious accreditation from the National Security Agency (NSA) in the works. It will make MDC part of the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program – the highest cybersecurity accreditation in academia.
“We are at the forefront of cybersecurity as a college,” Delgado said. “We are following the right approach, and we are giving our students the right skills.”
Cybersecurity, Information Systems Tech Make Top 10 List
Data breaches and data security attacks are at an all-time high, with no signs of slowing down. That’s alarming news, but it’s a good trend for anyone interested in joining in the fight against cybercrime. MDC’s bachelor’s degrees in Cybersecurity and Information Systems Technology rank in the Top 10 most affordable programs in the country, according to University HQ, an online source on colleges.
“MDC’s bachelor’s degree program is an incredible opportunity for students looking to start a career in cybersecurity,” said Jorge Ortega, director of the Cybersecurity Center of the Americas at MDC. “The program provides the unique opportunity to use some of the latest technology available, including a state-of-the-art cyber range, to acquire the skills that are in such high demand.”
In addition, in an ongoing effort to expand post-graduate opportunities for students, MDC and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) established a new “4+1” articulation agreement that allows MDC graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity to seamlessly transfer to a master’s degree at NSU with a special tuition discount.
A Hands-On Approach
“One of the cybersecurity professors gave a presentation when I was studying Information Systems Technology,” said student Alberto Niebla. “He spoke at length on digital forensics and security, and that really caught my eye.”
Wowed by the opportunities in the field, Niebla switched pathways and earned CCCs in Network Security and Digital Forensics, as well as an associate degree with a pathway to a major in Cybersecurity. He is currently enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program.
“One of the advantages is that we get hands-on training,” he said. “It’s one thing to read about an attack, and another to experience one in real life.”
Students, seasoned professionals and entire security teams from various industries have trained at the Center’s Cyberbit Range.
Planting Seeds Early
MDC’s program is also a great option for high school graduates looking to minimize their higher education expenses by staying local.
To facilitate the transition, MDC was awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to strengthen the pipeline from high school to college to cybersecurity employer.
“Our partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, ‘Advancing Strategies in Cybersecurity Education and Career Development (ASCEND),’ will mentor teachers on how to teach cybersecurity at the high school level,” said Manny Perez, dean of MDC’s School of Engineering and Technology (EnTec). “Once those students graduate, they can come straight into our program through that established pipeline.”
Get more information at MDC’s Cybersecurity Center of the Americas
– AF