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Cybersecurity
Proactively defending IT vulnerabilities
Specialization Description
Note: You may enroll in any of the courses listed below, however, we are not accepting applications to enroll in the Cybersecurity specialization at this time.
Questions? Please reach out to our Student Services team.
Your mission: To prevent unauthorized access
Given the increasing amount of data crime and online sabotage, it's going to take a dedicated legion of skilled cybersecurity experts to protect the 40 trillion gigabytes of data in the world from hackers. Forecasts estimate hundreds of thousands, even millions, of new positions in the coming years.
To start a career in cybersecurity
You'll need to identify the security challenges, know strategies that prevent unauthorized access of computers, networks, and data; and you'll need to be familiar with the technologies that help maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information.
The UCSC Silicon Valley Cybersecurity specialization will help you understand the dangers and acquire the knowledge, skills, and tools to adequately monitor and control the security of computer networks, web and e-commerce applications.
Cybersecurity specialization objectives
- Explain current security challenges
- Know security models
- Be familiar with technologies available to solve these problems
Specialization Courses
- Information Security Essentials
An interdisciplinary approach to modern information security, covering data, network, web services, end-point and cloud computing security. - Mobile e-Commerce, Fintech and Cryptocurrency
A study of advancements in e-commerce, security, payments, blockchains, and artificial intelligence—from magstripe to secure chip-card and mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. - Introduction to Blockchain and Smart Contracts
An introductory look at blockchains, smart contracts, and distributed identity management.
Estimated Cost: $2,125 (You pay only for courses you enroll in)
Required Credits: 3 courses (8 units). Complete the 3 core courses (8 units). End with Specialization completion review.
Duration: A full-time student can complete the certificate in approximately 6 months.
Courses
1. Required Courses
2. Required Specialization Completion Review
Specialization Inquiry Form
You can enroll in a specialization program at any time during your studies.
Once you create your student account, you can enroll in a specialization program. Note that the benefit of enrolling early is that it locks in your specialization requirements. This means that even if program requirements change, the requirements to complete your specialization will remain the same for you.
- You must enroll in the specialization program before enrolling in the Specialization Completion Review.
You have a total of three years to complete the courses for a specialization.
All the necessary units in a specialization must be completed within a three-year window. The clock begins on the first day of your first course in the program. For example, if you started a course on Sept. 5, 2019, you would have to complete all of the required units in this certificate by Sept. 4, 2022.
- Enrolling in a specialization program does not trigger the beginning of the three-year window. It begins the first day of the first course that applies to the program.
- The Completion Review process does not have to occur within the three-year timeframe.