Cybersecurity Certificate
Cybersecurity Professionals Are In Demand.
Our Cybersecurity Certificate helps position our graduates for select National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework career opportunities and pursuit of advanced degrees for even greater potential rewards in the Workforce Framework.
The Valley Forge Military College Cybersecurity Certificate has been recognized by the NSA and DHS as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense for two year colleges (CAE2Y)—making us the only two-year institution in Pennsylvania, and the only Junior Military College with this designation. The Certificate program prepares cadets and students for a high-demand career in information security. Upon completing the program, students receive extensive career guidance and employment counseling to help them find the best employment opportunities available.
Our Certificate program provides expertise in the rapidly changing Cybersecurity landscape by leveraging the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) through a series of four courses. These courses can be taken within any of our two-year programs, or as a standalone Certificate. If pursuing the Certificate only, students can complete the sequence of courses within one year.
This course is an introduction to computer information systems concepts, hardware, software applications, network communications, and security and privacy issues surrounding computers and information systems.
This course covers database terms & concepts, ethics & privacy, data security and security metadata, and organizational data management strategies.
This course focuses on fundamental principles of computer and communication networking with a specific emphasis on network security.
This course covers planning, development and implementation of a comprehensive information security program in an organization covering authentication and access control, integrity and confidentiality of information, and risk management and business continuity planning.
“It is a great honor to have my name on the Center that will help dedicated young men and women think about how to promote peace and advance security for our nation and all humanity.”
– LTG H.R. McMaster ’80, ‘17HC
The McMaster Center is truly a center of excellence. It provides non-partisan, research-driven academic programs to prepare future leaders in the fields of national security, criminal justice, intelligence, and cybersecurity. It develops training and education programs for VFMC cadets, as well as law enforcement agencies, business executives, national security professionals, policy makers, and others.
The McMaster Center produces the “blended” national security professional, one who can function across the full spectrum of private or public agencies—they are equally successful whether in the executive boardroom, on a network, at an analyst’s desk, or on the battlefield. Ultimately, The McMaster Center aims to be the preeminent, internationally recognized center of academic excellence in national security, criminal justice, intelligence, and cybersecurity. To accomplish this vision, it is divided into two focus areas – National Security and Cybersecurity – and has three core competencies:
The capability to seamlessly merge perspectives from scholars and practitioners into coherent training and educational programs.
The ability to leverage existing and developed strategic and tactical relationships to create and enhance the Center’s offerings and programs.
The ability to provide both subject matter specific and generalized expertise to stakeholders, constituents, and the general public to increase understanding and capabilities supporting common national security objectives.
The McMaster Center for Security Studies Cybersecurity Division merges the theory of information assurance with practical application. It supports innovative, comprehensive and multidisciplinary education in the Information Assurance (IA) / Computer Network Defense (CND) fields at VFMC. Additionally, it provides outreach with educational and professional resources for students, educators, and the community.
The National and Global Security Division coordinates the efforts of associated security professionals that are concerned with national and global security issues. We also seek to enhance the awareness of the public concerning security, provide commentary for media, and information to the military, government, and industry.
