Information Security Degree
Austin Community College offers a two-year network degree plan in Information Security. The overall curriculum includes instruction in network fundamentals, operating system fundamentals (including UNIX, Linux, Microsoft, & VMware), and information security fundamentals.

Students gain personal experience in the various curriculum areas by applying their knowledge in hands-on-labs. In the labs, students setup Cisco switches, Cisco firewalls, and Cisco Routers to create a fully functioning network. The network is set up with Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Demilitarized Zones (DMZs), proxy servers, Access Control Lists (ACLs), etc.

In the area of Information Security, the curriculum includes data encryption, steganography, computer forensics, data recovery, malware, spyware, rainbow tables, etc. Through hands-on labs, students learn how to protect networks from reconnaissance, port scanning, operating system fingerprinting, vulnerability exploitation, pen testing, hijacking, and password cracking attacks.

Students who have successfully completed our Network Security program are presently employed by the following organizations: