Cyber security and computer forensics technology

Stark State’s cyber security and computer forensics technology program is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which means we meet rigorous national standards for cybersecurity education. This designation requires us to maintain curriculum alignment with the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Knowledge Units and continuously demonstrate program quality.

Stark State College’s Cyber Security Center was established to promote cyber awareness, cyber security and workforce development by providing information, training and education to students, staff and the public.

Start with Stark State’s low tuition, small class sizes, convenient locations and industry-experienced professors. Then pursue a bachelor’s degree by transferring your associate degree to one of our university partners. We maintain formal transfer agreements with multiple four-year universities, including:

• Champlain College
• Kent State University
• The University of Akron
• University of Mount Union

If you’re interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree after Stark State, talk to your academic advisor before enrolling in the program.

When you graduate, you’ll be prepared for entry-level positions in information security, IT and digital investigation. Common job titles include:

• Cyber threat intelligence analyst
• Digital forensic analyst
• GRC analyst
• Incident responder
• IT security specialist
• Network security administrator
• Security analyst/SOC analyst (tier 1)

Yes. Many of our students balance full-time or part-time employment while completing coursework. We offer a mix of online and in-person classes, giving you flexibility to design a schedule that fits your lifestyle and preference. Nearly all our courses are available via online options.

Not at all! First-year courses introduce foundational computer, networking and security concepts. Students from all backgrounds can succeed with dedication and support.

Yes. Financial assistance options include:

• Choose Ohio First Scholarship: Our cyber security and computer forensics program is supported by the Choose Ohio First (COF) scholarship program, a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen Ohio’s competitiveness in STEM fields. This scholarship provides significant financial support to eligible students pursuing degrees in high-demand areas like cyber security.
• SCC3 (Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant): Through our Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant, we provide direct support to students by helping cover the cost of essential class resources and CompTIA certification exam vouchers. This grant reduces the financial burden of certification exams, which are critical credentials for launching your cybersecurity career, and ensures you have access to the materials you need to succeed.

Absolutely. Hands-on experience is central to our program to better prepare you for the workforce.

Most courses include custom-built cyber security labs, forensic imaging exercises and attack/defense environments. You gain practical exposure through integration with the TryHackMe platform, giving you the ability to work with real tools in an isolated cloud environment.

At the culmination of the program, you’ll take the practicum course, where you’ll focus on obtaining an internship. This will help in your job search for a full-time position in the security field.

For most courses, there are no significant additional costs beyond tuition, books and standard college fees. A few upper-level or lab-intensive classes may have additional lab fees, but most tools/labs used in our program are free and open-source.

There are many areas at Stark State that can help you excel in this program:

• Career services provides resume, internship and interview support.
• The Cybersecurity Club (HTCIA Student Chapter) offers hands-on workshops and competitions.
• We have dedicated faculty office hours for personalized help, tutoring or academic advising.
• Funds from the Strengthening Community Colleges (SCC3) grant funds may help to cover costs of CompTIA certification exam vouchers

Our curriculum aligns with the following industry certifications:

• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Security+
• CompTIA CySA+
• CompTIA Linux+

While you’re an enrolled student, we offer support through our Strengthening Community Colleges (SCC3) Grant to cover the cost of the vouchers for you to take these exams.

Yes. The High Technology Cyber Investigation Association (HTCIA) club hosts monthly meetings, workshops, guest speakers and Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions. It’s a great way to build experience, network with peers and strengthen your resume.

The cyber security field evolves rapidly, and our curriculum is designed to evolve with it. At its core, our program is built on industry-standard best practices and frameworks that ensure you’re learning skills employers need.

Our program is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which means we meet rigorous national standards for cybersecurity education. This designation requires us to maintain curriculum alignment with the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Knowledge Units and continuously demonstrate program quality.

We also align our courses with CompTIA certification exam objectives (Security+, CySA+, and others), ensuring that our curriculum prepares you not only for real-world work but also for industry-recognized credentials that validate your skills to employers.

To keep our hands-on training current with emerging threats and techniques, we integrate TryHackMe throughout the program. This platform allows us to continuously update and swap out labs to reflect the most relevant, real-world scenarios and current cybersecurity challenges.