Professional Certificate in Network and Cyber Defense Foundations

Network and Cyber Defense Certificate Program Overview

The Professional Certificate in Network and Cyber Defense program, taught in conjunction with Western Governors University, is designed for Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who are interested in becoming better enlisted leaders in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. This program helps you accomplish this by developing your skills in cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting.

This provides you a six-course program in the Cybersecurity concentration area. This professionally-relevant certificate that helps set you apart as an enlisted leader in information security, network security, web development, scripting, programming, and digital forensics.

Network and Cyber Defense Certificate Partner Institution

The Professional Certificate in Network and Cyber Defense is completed through Western Governors University, who is the degree grantor for this program. Western Governors University was selected for this program because of their military friendliness, quality education program, expertise in the field, established pathway to a four-year degree program with little to no loss of credit, and ability to provide a competency-based education program.

Western Governors University is a 100% online school founded by the governors of 19 states. It is a competency-based education program, which means the school measures skills and learning through mastery of the material instead of time in the classroom. The average active duty student at WGU completes a course in 37 days. WGU has been ranked the #1 Military Friendly online school for 2022-2023, and the school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency.

Network and Cyber Defense Certificate Program Description

This Network and Cyber Defense Certificate program is rigorous and offers a comprehensive coverage of fundamental technical and non-technical concepts, including cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting. The curriculum prepares learners to identify key business assets, associated threats and vulnerabilities, identify security controls and defense tools, methods, and components. Students are required to demonstrate the conceptual and practical aspects of cybersecurity.

Network and Cyber Defense Certificate Program Requirements

To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following criteria:

Active duty enlisted Sailor, Marine, Coast Guardsman or Coast Guard Reservist
High school diploma or equivalent

Network and Cyber Defense Certificate Program Plan

Network and Cyber Defense Foundations Certificate
D322	Introduction to IT	4 Credits
D430	Fundamentals of Information Security	3 Credits
D276	Web Development Foundations	3 Credits
D315	Network and Security — Foundations	3 Credits
D431	Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity	4 Credits
D278	Scripting and Programming Foundations	3 Credits

Total: 20 Credits

Network and Cyber Defense Certificate Math Intensity

Low

Network and Cyber Defense Certificate Learning Environment

All of the courses for the Professional Certificate in Network and Cyber Defense are offered online and asynchronously through Western Governors University. Additionally, the WGU uses a competency-based education model, which means you progress through the course as soon as you've proven you've mastered the material by passing an assessment. This means that, as long as you have access to the internet, you are able to take these courses on your schedule, wherever you are in the world. Whether you are stationed on a ship in Norfolk, conducting field exercises in Okinawa, patrolling in a cutter the coasts of Alaska, or providing security or logistical support out of Bahrain, you are able to use your off-duty hours to further your education through the USNCC. Since these courses are offered asynchronously, this means you will not be required to log on to specific meetings at specific times throughout the week.

Network and Cyber Defense Certificate Ideal Rating/MOS Candidates

While there is no requirement at this time to be a part of any rating or MOS community, this program was designed primarily with the following community in mind:

Navy
CTN IT ITS	The Professional Certificate in Network and Cyber Defense focuses on cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting.
Marine Corps
0631 0633 0699 0671 0673 0679 0681 0691 0699 1711 1721 1799	The Professional Certificate in Network and Cyber Defense focuses on cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting.
Coast Guard
IT	The Professional Certificate in Network and Cyber Defense focuses on cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting.

Network and Cyber Defense Certificate Education Pathways

The Professional Certificate in Network and Cyber Defense transfers seamlessly into the Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance program, which includes the following six CompTIA certificates:

A+
Network+
Security+
CySA+
Secure Infrastructure Specialist
Security Analytics Professional

The Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance transfers seamlessly into a Bachelor's of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at Western Governors University. In addition to the CompTIA certificates earned in the AS degree, the following certificates are built into the four-year degree:

CompTia
- Project+
- PenTest+
- Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional
- Network Security Professional
- IT Operations Specialist
AXELOS
- ITIL Foundation Certification
Certified Cloud Security Professional – Associate of (ISC)² designation
Systems Security Certified Practitioner – Associate of (ISC)² designation

Network and Cyber Defense Certificate Career Opportunities

In addition to improving your capabilities as an enlisted leader in the core career fields listed above, the Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance also sets you up for success in the following career fields after you finish your service in the military, whether it is after four years or 34 years: