Campus News

New program to fulfill in-demand jobs

Kirkwood Community College recently announced a new degree program in Cybersecurity and Compliance, which began this fall and the first students in the program are now beginning to make their way through it.  

The new program is intended to fulfill the rapidly growing need for cybersecurity professionals in the region and throughout the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment of information security analysts is set to grow 33% from 2023 to 2033.  

While information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree, Cybersecurity and Compliance Program Coordinator Paul Ruffalo said students should earn an associates degree through the program first because it takes “less time, less overall investment.” 

He added starting with a two-year degree also allows students to determine if they want to pursue a four-year degree.  

Ruffalo stated graduates can get jobs in IT support and as security analysts. He additionally stated he is working on a transfer agreement with Western Governors University (WGU), so students can earn a bachelor’s degree. 

The program trains students in how to defend organizations from computer-related threats. According to the Kirkwood 2024–2025 catalog, students will learn how to “install security software, monitor for security breaches, respond to cyber attacks, observe policies” and document “for long-term compliance.”  

The courses cover basic networking and network security concepts as well as skills in computer programming. One course allows students to gain the Network+ certification offered by CompTIA. This certification is described by CompTIA as a validation of “the core skills necessary to establish, maintain, troubleshoot and secure networks in any environment, preparing you for a rewarding career in networking and cybersecurity.” 

Students in the program also gain experience in the field through an internship. According to Ruffalo, while the internship component of the program has not yet started, he will go to his advisory board to seek internships for students. He said companies that have already expressed interest in student internships include Collins Community Credit Union, GreenState Credit Union and security advisory company ProCircular. 

More information on the program can be found online at www.kirkwood.edu/cybersecurity.