Cybersecurity is one of today’s fastest-growing fields, offering strong job demand, ​competitive earning potential​​​ and long-term career growth opportunities.

This online program prepares you for the CompTIA Security+ certification while providing industry-aligned training and hands-on experience in real-world cybersecurity scenarios. Through practical projects and applied learning, you’ll build job-ready skills that prepare you for entry- and mid-level cybersecurity roles.

Designed for IT professionals looking to advance their careers or transition into cybersecurity, the program covers cybersecurity fundamentals, threat landscapes, cryptography and security best practices. You’ll learn techniques for threat detection, incident response and documentation, as well as how to apply regulatory standards and governance ​practices to ​support​​ compliance​, ​data privacy​, security testing ​​​and auditing.

By the end of the program, you’ll have specialized cybersecurity knowledge and practical experience that can help position you for advanced opportunities in the field. Upon successful completion, you’ll earn a digital badge that can be shared with employers and added to professional profiles.

Who Should Enroll

• IT professionals, including help desk technicians, network administrators and systems analysts, looking to advance their careers or transition into cybersecurity roles
• Mid-level IT professionals such as network engineers, IT managers and systems engineers who want to expand their skill sets and increase earning potential
• Career pivoters with IT backgrounds who want to enter cybersecurity without starting from scratch

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze and respond to cybersecurity threats using networking and operating systems fundamentals
• Implement security controls and risk mitigation strategies through training and incident ​​response​​​​​​ planning
• Use industry-standard cybersecurity tools and risk assessment frameworks to identify threats and indicators of compromise
• Plan, design​​ and present cybersecurity solutions
• Demonstrate readiness for CompTIA Security+ certification 

Skills You Will Gain

• Network security and system hardening 
• Threat detection and incident response 
• Risk assessment and compliance 
• Ethical hacking techniques 
• Use of tools such as Wireshark, Splunk and Metasploit 
• Secure coding and vulnerability assessment 
• Communication and reporting skills 

Course Format and Pacing
This fully online course is delivered through Canvas, UC Davis CPE’s learning management system and includes Coursera-integrated learning materials and project-based experiences facilitated through Riipen, an experiential learning platform connecting learners with real-world business and organizational challenges.

Course content includes instructor-led video lectures, guided learning activities, interactive discussions, peer collaboration and hands-on exercises, along with mandatory live Zoom sessions with the instructor.

The program runs approximately four months and requires about 10 hours of work per week, including evening sessions designed for working professionals.