Online Undergraduate Cybersecurity Certificate Program

indian woman in orange sweater has computer code reflecting on glasses
Start your GCU
journey today.
Step 1: Educational Interests
This helps us connect you with the right enrollment counselor to help you through the process.
Find Your Purpose
Start your GCU journey today.
Request Info
Overview

Cybersecurity Certificate: Protect Data From Hackers

In today’s world, where hackers pose increasing threats to critical data, companies rely on skilled cybersecurity professionals to safeguard their assets.1 The Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Foundations at Grand Canyon University supports aspiring information technology (IT) and cybersecurity professionals. The program is designed to equip you with essential knowledge and hands-on experience in cybersecurity tools, technologies and procedures, to help you prepare to combat and prevent cyber threats in your career.

Female cybersecurity certificate student working on laptop
Why GCU

Deepen Your Skills With Our Undergraduate Certificate

This certificate offers a strategic pathway for college students looking to enhance their talents. This program does not grant professional certification directly but provides essential tools and experiences to pursue opportunities in the cybersecurity field. The skills taught in this certificate program can help prepare you to work toward pursuing professional certification. It represents an opportunity to enhance your skills, deepen your expertise and strengthen your foundational understanding of cybersecurity principles.

Male cybersecurity certificate student presenting to peers by using whiteboard
Coursework

Program Coursework and Topics

This cybersecurity certificate program integrates practical, hands-on activities that go beyond theory. Courses will focus on the deployment of advanced techniques in exploitation, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, policy management, security program design and cyber defense activities. You will also have the opportunity to delve into the realm of professional communications and conduct skills associated with a career in technology.

Course topics include:

LANs, WANs, service providers, protocols and more

Cloud technologies

Scalability planning

Deployment of enterprise applications

Relationship between cybersecurity and ethical hacking

Incident management and data loss prevention

Cyber technologies for forensic investigations

Program Domains and Requirements

Each course is designed to build upon the knowledge learned in the previous course in sequence and provide a networking and security foundation. This can equip you with the skills necessary for potential opportunities in cybersecurity following completion of the program.

Program domain areas include:

  • Network technologies and system administration
  • Ethical hacking and forensic investigations
  • Information systems technical skills
  • Network technologies and information security platforms
  • Cybersecurity foundations

Gain Practical Skills Needed to Stop Cyber Threats

Cybersecurity involves protecting entities and individuals from cyber threats and attacks by safeguarding computers, networks, sensitive data, hardware and software programs, and developing essential defensive skills.1 

In this program, you will be taught the following competencies:

  • Identifying vulnerabilities
  • Performing risk assessments
  • Implementing security measures and best practices
  • Preparing to respond to unauthorized access and cyberwarfare damages
  • Developing a disaster recovery plan

You will have the opportunity to develop essential skills in investigating, combatting and mitigating global cyber threats and attacks. Our knowledgeable educators reinforce your understanding of network technologies and information security, to help you gain current strategies for enhancing the security of global network systems.

Careers

Career Paths for Cybersecurity Certificate Holders

Along with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, this certificate program may help prepare you for various cybersecurity careers. For those who wish to develop deeper skills in the field of cyber defense, GCU also offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity.

Career possibilities include:

Computer and information systems manager

Information security analyst

Computer network support specialist

Database administrator

Computer network architect

Database architect

Network and computer systems administrator

32%

Estimated job growth for information security analysts from 2022-20322

$120,360

Median annual wage for information security analysts as of May 20233

Accreditation

Earn Your Certificate From an Accredited University

Since 1968, GCU has maintained institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring the quality and rigor of its educational programs. The College of Engineering and Technology shares the university’s commitment to providing students with a reputable and respected academic experience across various disciplines.

FAQ

Cybersecurity Certificate Program FAQs

Whether you're considering advancing your IT skills or entering the cybersecurity field, answers to these frequently asked questions can help provide clarity on what our program offers and how it can benefit you.

Male cybersecurity certificate student working on computer

Stop Hackers in Their Tracks

If you’re interested in helping others stay safe online, this certificate may be right for you!

Apply Now

1 Kaspersky. (n.d.). What Is Cyber Security? Retrieved Aug. 4, 2023.

2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, retrieved July 19, 2024.

3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Information Security Analysts, as of May 2023, retrieved July 19, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as information security analysts, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

4 Seiter, C. (2024, Feb. 19). Check Out the 10 Best Cybersecurity Certifications. Forbes. Retrieved July 19, 2024.

5 Griffiths, C. (2024, Jan. 7). The Latest 2024 Cyber Crime Statistics. AAG. Retrieved July 19, 2024.

We're here to help.

I'm Ready to Apply