Cybersecurity
Graduate Badge
Grand Rapids • Face to face • Hybrid • Online • 9 Credits
The College of Computing's Cybersecurity Graduate Badge at GVSU is a specialized credential designed to equip students with practical and theoretical knowledge in the field of cybersecurity.
Overview
This badge prepares students to analyze risk using various evaluation techniques, address legal and ethical issues in information security, and secure networks against potential attacks. Students will also learn to apply ethical hacking principles to strengthen operating systems, use tools and techniques for cyber forensic investigations, and understand software vulnerabilities. This badge is not considered a degree or certificate, but will enhance learning in a specific field and can be used to obtain future degrees or certificates.
The badge consists of three courses, totaling nine credits, and provides students with a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity. Earning this badge will provide a student with expertise in risk analysis, ethical hacking, network security, and identifying software vulnerabilities. Students also learn about cyber forensics, data security, privacy, and applied cryptography, preparing them to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges.
Grand Valley's cybersecurity badge is a great credential for anyone looking to:
- Build expertise in protecting systems and data.
- Show your specialized skills and knowledge in areas such as network security, risk analysis, ethical hacking, and digital forensics.
- Enhance your education and demonstrate your commitment to mastering in-demand skills.
- Earn a digital badge that can be shared on social media, websites, and in emails, providing a modern and professional way to highlight your qualifications.
A digital badge, or badge, is a record of achievement that recognizes a student's completion of a coherent and meaningful academic experience. GVSU offers both credit and non-credit bearing badges as digital credentials. Credit-bearing badges include anywhere from 0.5 to 15 academic credits and may include additional noncredit criteria. Credit-bearing badges are also posted to the academic transcript.
College of Computing
Robert Adams, Ph.D.
C-2-100 Mackinac Hall
(616) 331-2060
[email protected]
gvsu.edu/computing
Career Opportunities
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
Top skills- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Systems Evaluation
- Active Listening
- Systems Analysis
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 62,770.67 | 10% |
| $ 79,129.94 | 25% |
| $ 99,677.21 | 50% |
| $122,706.25 | 75% |
| $136,478.07 | 90% |
Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.
Top skills- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Systems Evaluation
- Writing
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 48,015.39 | 10% |
| $ 70,046.62 | 25% |
| $ 98,672.79 | 50% |
| $129,085.27 | 75% |
| $156,611.33 | 90% |
Develop and oversee the implementation of information security procedures and policies. Build, maintain and upgrade security technology, such as firewalls, for the safe use of computer networks and the transmission and retrieval of information. Design and implement appropriate security controls to identify vulnerabilities and protect digital files and electronic infrastructures. Monitor and respond to computer security breaches, viruses, and intrusions, and perform forensic investigation. May oversee the assessment of information security systems.
Top skills- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Monitoring
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 48,015.39 | 10% |
| $ 70,046.62 | 25% |
| $ 98,672.79 | 50% |
| $129,085.27 | 75% |
| $156,611.33 | 90% |
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
Top skills- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Speaking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 96,291.37 | 10% |
| $124,071.03 | 25% |
| $158,311.34 | 50% |
| $183,570.74 | 75% |
| $231,451.42 | 90% |
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Top skills- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Speaking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 60,925.07 | 10% |
| $ 79,432.64 | 25% |
| $104,048.09 | 50% |
| $129,110.60 | 75% |
| $165,110.40 | 90% |
Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.
Top skills- Reading Comprehension
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Systems Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Systems Evaluation
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 61,974.26 | 10% |
| $ 75,850.36 | 25% |
| $ 93,123.85 | 50% |
| $106,772.57 | 75% |
| $134,530.20 | 90% |
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Scholarships
Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based
scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are
available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.
Grand Valley offers myScholarships
(a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match
with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities.
myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you
to scholarships for which you might qualify.
High-Tech Labs
The College of Computing offers modern, wellequipped computing facilities across both the Valley and City campuses, with specialized labs for coursework, research, and general student use. You’ll have access to Linux labs, Mac labs, hybrid Windows/Linux environments, networking and cybersecurity labs, and highperformance computing resources.
Student Organizations
Getting involved and staying engaged with our vibrant campus community help you make the most of your Grand Valley experience. Attending student life events, joining a student organization, or participating in campus recreation opportunities are all fantastic ways to maximize your college years:
You can find computing specific organizations here.
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