The Moorpark College Computer Network System Engineering Program utilizes various Academy's such as Amazon Web Services Academy offering Cloud Technology courses, Vmware Academy, Microsoft Academy, Palo Alto Academy, Redhat Academy, and a Cisco Academy.  The CNSE program offers simulation technology using Testout.com, and all students get a Safari Oreilly online technical library subscription.  Most CNSE courses prepare students to pass industry certification to help students prepare for employment. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Industry demands seem to change almost daily in this growing field. To keep pace with this growing educational need, Moorpark College continually updates, revises and develops its CNSE courses. To see the most accurate listing of the courses available, consult the current semester’s Schedule of Classes www.moorparkcollege.edu/schedule. Full-time faculty members, Edmond Garcia and Kevin Rickard are able to provide up-to-date information. They can be reached at egarcia@vcccd.edu or krickard@vcccd.edu. Students can also make an appointment with a counselor at (805) 378-1428 to learn more.

Cloud Courses are now being offered along with our new Cyber Security A.S. degree. The CNSE program also has Cyber Security Team members training and competing in National Cyber League competitions. Many opportunities exist for Penetration Testers, and Cyber Security related careers.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Industry demands seem to change almost daily in this growing field. To keep pace with this growing educational need, Moorpark College continually updates, revises and develops its CNSE courses. To see the most accurate listing of the courses available, consult the current semester’s Schedule of Classes www.moorparkcollege.edu/schedule. Full-time faculty members, Edmond Garcia and Kevin Rickard are able to provide up-to-date information. They can be reached at egarcia@vcccd.edu or krickard@vcccd.edu. Students can also make an appointment with a counselor at (805) 378-1428 to learn more

Basic Network Proficiency Award
Basic Networking
13.5 - 16 Units

Cisco Proficiency Award
Cisco CCNA
8 Units

Technical Specialist Certificate of Achievement
Troubleshooting focus – Help Desk
17 - 21 Units

Advanced Network Specialist Certificate of Achievement
Most rigorous certificate
32 – 33.5 Units

Windows Proficiency Award
Basic Microsoft Windows
14.5 Units

Windows Engineering Certificate of Achievement
Advanced Microsoft Windows
16 - 19 Units

Cyber Security Penetration Tester Proficiency Award
Penetration Testing focus
11 Units

Cyber Security Advanced Penetration Tester Proficiency Award
Advanced Penetration Testing focus
12 Units

Cyber Security Administration Certificate of Achievement
Cyber Security Advanced Administration
22-24 Units

Cyber Security Administration Proficiency Award
Cyber Security Administration
12 Units

Cyber Security Cloud Administration
Cloud focus
9 Units

Associate in Science: Computer Network Systems Engineering

The Computer Network Systems Engineering program prepares students with a strong foundation in networking and have courses aligned with Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA. Students will have intermediate-level skills for help desk or technical support employment.

Required Courses for Computer Network Systems Engineering – AS Degree

Block 1 foundational courses and can be taken concurrently – Complete all courses in Block 1. 

Recommended Sequence:

M06 PC Management A+ (4 Units) Online
CompTIA A+ Pro Exam 220-1001+1002
Certification Available

M05 Lan/Wan + Security (4 Units) Online
Reviews Lan and Wan Networking,  + Security Intro

M01 Network+ Foundations (4 Units) Online
CompTIA Network+ Pro Exam, N10-007
Certification Available

Block 2 – After completion of Block 1 courses, complete all Block 2 courses

M13 TCP/IP Protocols (4 Units) Online
Internet Protocols + Wireshark, Labs

M18 Cisco 1&2 (4 Units) Hybrid
ICND1 Prep Exam 100-105
Certification Available

M30 Windows Admin (3 Units) Hybrid
Microsoft Windows 10 Exam 70-697/8
Certification Available

M31 Windows Server (3 Units) Hybrid
Microsoft Server Exam 70-740 series
Certification Available

M82 Security+ Foundations (3 Units) Hybrid
CompTIA Security+ Exam SY0-501
Certification Available

M80 Internship (1 Unit) Class
Complete near end of Education Plan

Block 3 – Complete 2 additional courses for CNSE AS Degree 
(Select 2 courses from Block 3)

Block 3 courses are electives. Complete 2 courses based on interest:

M19 Cisco 3&4 (4 Units) Hybrid
ICND2 Prep Exam 200-105
Certification Available

M55 Linux+ Admin (3 Units) Hybrid
CompTIA Exam XKO-004
Certification Available

M57 Linux Scripting (2 Units) Class
Python Scripting

M58 Cloud Databases (2 Units) Online
AWS RDS and DynamoDB
Certification Available

M67 VMware (3 Units) Class
VMware Exam VCP-DCV 2019
Certification Available

M84 Cert Ethical Hacker (3 Units) Class
EC-Council CEH Exam 312-50
Certification Available

M86 Palo Alto Firewalls (3 Units) Class
Firewall Admin PCCSA Exam
Certification Available

M100 Cert Sec Analyst (3 Units) Online
CompTIA CySA+ Exam CS0-001
Certification Available

M105 Cloud Practitioner (3 Units) Online
AWS Cloud Practitioner
Certification Available

M106 Cloud Architect (3 Units) Online
AWS cloud Architect
Certification Available

Additional Notes

Students begin program with Block 1 courses, then complete Block 2 courses. Students can continue with any Block 2 courses once Block 1 foundational courses are completed.

Disclaimer: Students should seek advisement for Education Plan from Moorpark College Counseling to ensure Degree Credits, Graduation Timelines, and approvals of needed Course Substitution Petitions.

Associate in Science: Cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity program prepares students for careers as security analysts. Students who complete the program will be able to secure networks by performing penetration testing, security audits, digital forensics and investigations, developing security policies, and providing overall security guidance to organizations.

The Moorpark College Cybersecurity A.S. degree is recognized by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a National Center of Execellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD).  This is a rigorous designation that ensures graduates are well prepared for cutting edge Cybersecurity jobs.  Click to learn more about the NCAE-CD designation.

Topics include network security, Windows and Linux security, intruder detection systems and firewalls, web security and protocols, virtualization and cloud security, and security policies and procedures.

Required courses Recommended Sequence

Block 1 -Complete all Block 1 courses which establish a foundation.
Can be taken concurrently

M01 Networking Fundamentals (4 Units) Online
CompTIA Network+ Plus Exam# N10-008
Certification Available

M06 Fundamentals of IT Essentials: PC Hardware & Software 
(4 Units) Online
CompTIA A+, Exam#'s 220-1101 & 1102
Certification Available

M18 Cisco Systems Computer Networking A (4 Units) Hyflex
Cisco CCNA Sem 1 + 2
Certification Available

M30 Windows Admin (3 Units) Hybrid
Microsoft Windows 10 Exam 70-697/8
Certification Available

M55 Linux+ Admin (3 Units) Online
CompTIA Exam, Exam# XKO-004
Certification Available

M57 Scripting for Security Management (3 Units) Online
BASH and Python

M82 Introduction to Network Security (3 Units) Hybrid
CompTIA Security+, Exam# SY0-601
Certification Available

M80 Internship in Computer Network Systems Engineering/Cybersecurity
(1 Unit) Remote
Contact Dept for Details, Internship Prep, etc

3-4 Units from Group A, and 5 Units from Group B
Total Major Units: 33 - 37

Block 2 – After completion of Block 1 courses, select any 5 courses

Restrictive Electives Group A:

M13 Internetworking & TCP/IP (4 Units) Online
Wireshark + Protocols

M19 Cisco 2 + 3 (4 Units) Hyflex
CCNA Prep
Certification Available

M31 Windows Server (3 Units) Hybrid
Microsoft Server Exam
Certification Available

Restrictive Electives Group B: Students begin program with Group A courses, then complete Group B courses. Students can continue with any Group B courses once Group A foundational courses are completed.

M56 Adv Linux Admin (3 Units) Online
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner
Comptia CASP Exam
Certification Available

M67 VMware (3 Units) Class
Vmware Exam VCP Exam
Certification Available

M83 Digital Forensics (3 Units) Class
EX-Council Exam
Certification Available

M84 Cert Ethical Hacker (3 Units) Class
EC-Council CEH Exam 312-50
Certification Available

M86 Palo Alto Firewalls (3 Units) Class
Firewall Admin PCCSA Exam
Certification Available

M100 Cert Sec Analyst (3 Units) Online
CompTIA CySA+ Exam CS0-001
Certification Available

M105 Cloud Practitioner (3 Units) Online
AWS Cloud Practitioner
Certification Available

M106 Cloud Architect (3 Units) Online
AWS cloud Architect
Certification Available

M111 Azure Cloud Fundamentals (3 Units) Online
Azure Fundamentals Certification
Certification Available

M170 Cert Cloud Security  (3 Units) Online
(ISC)2 Cloud Security Exam
Certification Available

Proposed B.S. Applied Cybersecurity & Network Operations

The Applied Cybersecurity Network Operations Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Program will develop the skills, abilities, and knowledge students need to provide support and guidance to organizations dealing with security policy compliance, security procedures, and providing security-related technical support. The B.S. will prepare students for employment in Technical and Cybersecurity support positions in the Information Technology sector. Students will gain knowledge in Cybersecurity principles, security risk, threats and countermeasures for mitigation, social engineering, penetration testing principles, digital forensic investigations, security controls, and network equipment configurations such as workstations, servers, switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless devices where the configuration of security controls and "Best Practices" are tested and validated. The proposed program curriculum also includes simulation software that allows students to learn from home and attend campus labs where "Hands-On" activities can be performed on live equipment. 

This program is pending final approval from the California Board of Governors. For more information contact MCbdp@vcccd.edu. 

CyberSecurity Video (2 min)

Certificates offered (See Pdf List)

What is Cybersecurity?

What Is Cybersecurity? - Cisco

What questions should I be asking about Cybersecurity?

7 Pressing Cybersecurity Questions Boards Need to Ask (hbr.org)

What can I do to better prepare to prevent a Cyber breach?

4 Things You Can Do To Keep Yourself Cyber Safe | CISA

Community Cybersecurity Resources

The Moorpark College Cybersecurity and Network Systems Engineering (CNSE) Cybersecurity Resource Center provides Cybersecurity resources for the Community, Educators, and Students.

Infographics for Cybersecurity Education:
Infographics at the NCSC - NCSC.GOV.UK

For Educators and Students:

Request NSA activities, partners, and STEM fair judges for your K-12 classroom

AFA CyberPatriot Website (uscyberpatriot.org)

National Cyber League

Cybersecurity for Teachers | NICCS (cisa.gov)

National Centers of Academic Excellence (nsa.gov)

Cybersecurity News:

Krebs on Security – In-depth security news and investigation

The Hacker News - Most Trusted Cyber Security and Computer Security Analysis

CSO | Security news, features and analysis about prevention, protection and business innovation. (csoonline.com)

News from CISA.gov - Live RSS Feed

Main Points of Contact

Kevin Rickard - Assistant Professor: krickard@vcccd.edu

Alternate Point of Contact - Edmond Garcia - Professor:  egarcia@vcccd.edu

CNSE Faculty Members

Edmond Garcia - Professor
Kevin Rickard - Assistant Professor
Curtis Guffee - Adjunct Professor
Paul Guggenheimer - Adjunct Professor
Nathaniel Orlina - Adjunct Professor
Wayne Snyder - Adjunct Professor
Michael Wylie - Adjunct Professor

Moorpark College CNSE Industry Advisory Board

The Moorpark College CNSE Industry Advisory Board meets annually each Spring.  The Industry Advisory Board is comprised regional Business, Industry, Organizational, Education, and Federal leaders and advises us on their current needs related to Cybersecurity and job needs.  With a continued rapidly changing Cybersecurity landscape their input is vital to our constantly evolving educational student offerings.  If you would like further information or like to participate on our board of advisors, please contact Kevin Rickard: krickard@vcccd.edu.

• Advisory Board Meeting April 5th, 2024 Agenda posted soon
• April 2023 - Agenda and Minutes

Moorpark College Cybersecurity Program of Study

The Moorpark College A.S. Cybersecurity Program of Study has been validated by the National Security Agency CAE Program Office.  Further information on our Program of Study can be found here:  Cybersecurity | Moorpark College

Moorpark College Information Security Website

Information Security | Ventura County Community College District (vcccd.edu)

Open configuration option