ITACS’ NCAC Finalist Student Team
ITACS’ student team advanced to the final round of the National Cyber Analyst Challenge, sponsored by Leidos and the Institute for Business and Information Technology at Temple University. In the first round, the ITACS team took the highest-level GOLD award, making it to the finals in Reston Virginia where they competed against teams from ten other colleges and universities for the grand prize. Led by Wade Mackey our ITACS team included: Darin Bartholomew, Andres Galarza, Jason Lindsley, Josh Zenker, and Roberto Nogueda.
As the field of cyber-security greets new threats and regulations every single day, Temple’s ITACS program is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve. In pursuit of this goal, the program has created a brand new Cyber Security Track, now offered to ITACS’ ever-growing student body (whose numbers soared from 11 students in 2012 to approximately 95 this year).
ITACS is proud to offer two new special topics courses for the Cyber Security Track Spring Semester: The new courses Operating Systems Security and Forensics complement the ITACS programs other cutting-edge courses:
- Intrusion Detection & Response – Students learn the variety of tool and techniques used to prevent attacks, quickly identify successful attacks, detect advanced persistent threats and monitor systems activity.
- Securing the Digital Infrastructure – Examines issues related to securing the components of a company’s infrastructure, reviewing network, firewall, and basic operating system security issues.
- Ethical Hacking – Introduces students to hacking strategies and tactics used by ethical or “White Hat” hackers. A theoretical and exercise-based exploration of Security Penetration through vulnerability exploitation.
- Advanced Penetration Testing – Introduces students to penetration testing, methods of vulnerability assessment and exploitation are examined as a means of identifying areas requiring improved security and recommended changes.
- Cyber Security Capstone – Reviews all topics covered in the track; prepares for CISSP exam; requires students to research an emerging topic in the field of IT assurance.
ITACS continues to post impressive achievement numbers, as 80% of ITACS students passed the CISA on their first try, and 94% secured jobs after graduation—figures that reflect not just the quality of the training but also mounting demand for professionals armed with ITACS skills.
