Information Security and Digital Forensics

Home > Professional Technical Education

Get Started!  Learn more about how to apply for this program.

1 of 3

“In our program we do about 80 percent hands-on work. Our program distinguishes itself greatly in that. I want people actually doing this stuff, not just talking about it.”

-- Don Bowers, Program Head

Program Overview

The world of information security and digital forensics is an exciting career possibility—and, at College of Western Idaho (CWI), you have an opportunity to join the front line combating hackers who are victimizing computers around the world. The goal of this program is to prepare security professionals to protect an organization’s data by taking preemptive measures against malicious attacks and to perform forensic investigation if security is breached. All students accepted into the program must submit to a criminal background check at their own expense. Please see www.cwidaho.cc/pte to obtain more information about program admission and the background check.

What will you learn to do?

  • Install and configure computer hardware and software
  • Install, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain local and wide-area computer network systems
  • Use data communication protocols
  • Solve software application problems
  • Troubleshoot hardware problems
  • Set up, print from, program, and back-up computers
  • Work within a TCP/IP environment
  • Communicate well with customers
  • Write a resume, search for a job, and interview effectively
  • Further skills will be learned in area of specialization

What kind of degree(s) can you earn?

Why do I need a background check?

When preparing for a career in the area of information security a quality background check is essential for the protection of both the student and the training institution. Security professionals are held to a higher standard than many information technology professionals which is why many employers will require a background check before hiring any new security personnel. A background check will ensure that the Information Security and Digital Forensics program conforms to industry standards with respect to the training of security specialists. Results of the background checks are confidentially retained by the Information Security and Digital Forensics Program at CWI.

If derogatory information is found as a result of the background check, further review with the student may be required in order to obtain placement in the Information Security and Digital Forensics Program. Derogatory information that may preclude a student from entering the Information Security and Digital Forensics include a DUI in the past three years, felony in the past seven years, and drug trafficking. See the CWI Policy for Information Security and Digital Forensics Background Check for further information about what the background checks will include.

For information on obtaining a Background check, visit any CWI One Stop Student Services location for more detailed information.

Requirements

Degree Plan

Instructor Info

Program Head:
Don Bowers
208.562.2537
donbowers@cwidaho.cc

Instructor:
Linda Otto
208.562.2519
lindaotto@cwidaho.cc
 

Career Info

What kind of career can you expect?

Computers around the world are systematically victimized by rampant hacking. This hacking is not only widespread, but it is being executed so flawlessly that the attackers compromise a system, steal everything of value, and completely erase their tracks within 20 minutes. This program will prepare technicians to protect an organization’s data by taking preemptive measures against malicious attacks.

What skills, traits, or prep classes would be helpful?

  • Keyboarding

Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Program Name: Information Security and Digital Forensics
CIP Code: 11.1003
College OEPID: 04211800
Advanced Technical Certificate
Program Cost
Tuition and Fees $6,743
Books and Supplies $2,993
General Tuition and Fee Information http://cwidaho.cc/current-students/tuition-and-fees
Program Length & Completion Rates
Completion Rate
Number of Graduates
Number of Graduates within Normal Time
Number of Semesters 4
Occupations Related to this Program and Placement Rate
Placement Rate
Occupations
Median Debt Info
Median Federal Student Loan Debt
Median Institutional Financing Plan Debt
Median Private Loan Debt

*Based on 2011-2012 tuition and fee schedule. Tuition and fees are subject to change.
***From July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2011
NR If the number of students who completed the program during the award year was less than 10, for privacy reasons, this information is not disclosed to the public.
Gainful Employment Programs Master List
Federal Title IV regulations require institutions of higher education to disclose cost, completion, placement, and student debt information about non-degree programs leading to gainful employment in a recognized occupation. 

Gainful Employment programs include programs that do not lead to a degree, that are not fully transferable to a bachelor's degree program, or that are not considered to be basic skills or preparatory course work for enrollment in an eligible program.

Recognized Occupations are those identified by a federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code established by the Office of Management and Budget, by an Occupational Network (O*NET-SOC) code established by the U.S. Department of Labor, or those determined by the U.S. Secretary of Education in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of Labor.

  • College OEPID - U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) identification number for the College.
  • CIP Code - Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) - taxonomic coding scheme for postsecondary instructional programs/fields of study.
  • Program Length in Semesters - Published program lengths are traditionally stated in terms of the number of semesters and assume full-time attendance; 4.5 months per regular semester.
  • Program Cost - Total estimated program cost (not annual or per semester).
  • Tuition and Fees - Estimated amount of tuition and fees charged to students for completing the entire program within normal time and assuming full-time attendance; based on 2011-2012 in-district tuition and fees (all fees that are required for all students in a particular program in order to graduate). Tuition and fees are subject to change.
  • Books and Supplies - Total estimated cost for books and supplies (not annual or per semester).
  • Normal Time of Completion - The normal time in semesters to complete the program as published in the catalog, assuming full-time enrollment.
  • Number of Graduates Within Normal Time - Number of students who completed the program between July 1 2010 and June 30 2011 within the normal time.
  • Graduates - Number of students who completed all program requirements between July 1 2010 and June 30 2011. Rates are not disclosed for programs with fewer than ten graduates in the award year.
  • Completion Rate - The percentage of students who completed the program within normal time out of the total number of students who completed the program.
  • Median Cumulative Student Loan Debt at Program Completion - The Median Cumulative Debt per loan category for students who completed the program between July 1 2010 and June 30 2011 with any student loan debt.
  • Federal Student Loan Debt - Includes all Title IV student loans, such as Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized). Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
  • Private Loan Debt - Expenses to the student borrower, regardless of whether the loan was provided through the College or directly to the student from the private educational lender.
  • Placement Rate - The placement rate for program completers.

Who is included and to what agency is this rate reported?

The program completer data included in this report are based on the information submitted July 1, 2011 to the Idaho Professional Technical Education (PTE) in the1045Y report as required to participate in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins) program.  The reporting calendar for the 1045Y was June 16, 2010 thru June15, 2011. 

Numerator: includes completers submitted in the report who are considered as positive placement as defined by the PTE.  These categories include:  enrolled in the military, employed in a field related to training, employed in a field unrelated to training, or pursuing additional education. 

Denominator:  includes all program completers submitted in the report.

What type of job placement is being reported?

The job placement rate includes those reported as being enrolled in the Military, Employed in their field, Employed in unrelated field, and Pursuing additional education.

When were they employed and how were graduates tracked?

Follow-up data collection begins each semester when student degree status is conferred on their transcripts.  Placement data is collected within 180 days of their conferred date.  This information is collected by a variety of means including: “Exit Interview” forms, phone calls, mailed survey (2% returned completed), on-line survey (0% completed), instructor forwarded information from students.

Academics

Resources

Code of Ethics
Background Check

Campus map


View CWI Campus Locations in a larger map