Cybersecurity

Unlock the Secrets of Cybersecurity and be a Leader in Digital Defense

CWI students in a classroom with network equipment

Program Overview

Are you ready to become a key player in the fight against cyber threats? At College of Western Idaho (CWI), the Cybersecurity program is designed just for you, preparing you to safeguard systems in our digitally-driven world. Understanding of computer technology, Internet navigation, and file management is essential, and we are here to elevate your skills. You have two paths to choose from: a traditional, two-year, in-person option beginning each fall or an accelerated 18-month, hyflex option with entry points during select semesters. Request more information to learn more.

Certified with the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations Program (CAE-CD), issued by the National Security Agency (NSA), our program immerses you in hands-on lab work, simulating real cyber threats. You will learn from professionals who have been in the trenches of cybersecurity, gaining insights only experience can teach. Whether you are aiming for certifications like CompTIA’s Network+ or CYSA or preparing for a high-demand cybersecurity role, this program is your stepping stone. Get ready to be at the forefront of digital defense, equipped with knowledge and skills that make a difference.

Degree or Certificate Type

Associate of Applied Science

Advanced Technical Certificate

Time to Complete

2 years

Primary Location

Learning Opportunities

  • Face Real-World Challenges: Engage in hands-on labs where you will tackle actual cybersecurity scenarios.
  • Learn from the Experts: Gain insights from instructors who bring their real-world cybersecurity experiences into the classroom.
  • Achieve National Recognition: Benefit from a program celebrated for its excellence in cyber defense education.
  • Certification-Ready: Prepare yourself for important cybersecurity certifications, enhancing your professional profile including CompTIA A+, Network+, Linux+, Security+, CYSA+, Server+, and Cloud+.
  • Choose Your Learning Path: Select between a comprehensive two-year journey or an accelerated online path tailored to your lifestyle.

Cyber Defense Center

Center of Academic Excellences in CybersecurityCWI's Cyber Defense Center offers cybersecurity awareness, best practices, news, events, and activities for Idaho communities, businesses, partners, and students while striving to advance U.S. Federal Government, State of Idaho, and industry initiatives in cyber defense.

Area of Study

Degrees & Certificates

Cybersecurity – Associate of Applied Science Degree

Cybersecurity - Advanced Technical Certificate

Person holding a phone with coding on it in front of computers with code

Career Opportunities

  • Project Management Specialists

    Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer. Excludes “Management Occupations” (11-0000), “Logisticians” (13-1081), “Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners” (13-1121), and “Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks” (43-5061).

    28

    Annual Openings*

    $36.96

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $76,877

    Annual Median Salary

    34.14%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Network and Computer Systems Administrators

    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. Excludes “Information Security Analysts” (15-1212), “Computer Network Support Specialists” (15-1231), and “Computer User Support Specialists” (15-1232).

    22

    Annual Openings*

    $36.02

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $74,922

    Annual Median Salary

    22.45%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Computer Occupations, All Other

    All computer occupations not listed separately. Excludes “Computer and Information Systems Managers” (11-3021), “Computer Hardware Engineers” (17-2061), “Electrical and Electronics Engineers” (17-2070), “Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary” (25-1021), “Special Effects Artists and Animators” (27-1014), “Graphic Designers” (27-1024), “Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars” (29-9021), and “Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers” (49-2011).

    20

    Annual Openings*

    $29.70

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $61,776

    Annual Median Salary

    35.64%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Computer Systems Analysts

    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.

    18

    Annual Openings*

    $37.88

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $78,790

    Annual Median Salary

    30.14%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Computer and Information Systems Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming. Excludes “Computer Occupations” (15-1211 through 15-1299).

    17

    Annual Openings*

    $49.32

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $102,586

    Annual Median Salary

    44.06%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Information Security Analysts

    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. Excludes “Computer Network Architects” (15-1241).

    13

    Annual Openings*

    $47.21

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $98,197

    Annual Median Salary

    43.72%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Computer Network Support Specialists

    Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption. Excludes “Computer Network Architects” (15-1241) and “Network and Computer Systems Administrators” (15-1244).

    12

    Annual Openings*

    $23.64

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $49,171

    Annual Median Salary

    32.63%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Computer Network Architects

    Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software. Excludes “Information Security Analysts” (15-1212), “Computer Network Support Specialists” (15-1231), and “Network and Computer Systems Administrators” (15-1244).

    10

    Annual Openings*

    $38.36

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $79,789

    Annual Median Salary

    25.7%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Database Administrators

    Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases. Excludes “Information Security Analysts” (15-1212) and “Database Architects” (15-1243).

    2

    Annual Openings*

    $36.26

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $75,421

    Annual Median Salary

    30.73%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Statisticians

    Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians. Excludes “Survey Researchers” (19-3022).

    N/A

    Annual Openings*

    $48.33

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $100,526

    Annual Median Salary

    N/A

    Growth (2021 - 2031)*

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*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data.

"I have learned so much about the dangers of using an unprotected computer and the dangers of websites that I am more cautious about what I do, what I share, and who I share with. I would highly recommend this program for anyone who is interested in protecting their privacy, their identity, and educating others on the dangers of ignorance concerning your technical life. "
Jane
Student, Cybersecurity

Admissions

Step 1

Step 2

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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Clubs

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Business Professionals of America

College of Western Idaho is proud to be part of Business Professionals of America (BPA), the leading Career and Technical Student Organization for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology, and other related career fields.

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SkillsUSA

College of Western Idaho is proud to compete in SkillsUSA, a nationwide organization seeking to improve the quality of our nation's future skilled workforce through personal, workplace, and technical skills training.

News

CWI is hosting a week-long cyber summer camp for high school students that will teach the basics of cybersecurity, computers, and IT.

Read more about Cyber Summer Camp Open for Registration

CWI’s Cybersecurity program was ranked 22 out of 150 Associate of Applied Science programs nationally in a new ranking by Cybersecurity Guide.

Read more about CWI Recognized as Top Cybersecurity Associate Degree Program

Work-Based Learning Center is proud to host a Technology Job Fair on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Ada County Center Pintail Building.

Read more about Explore Exciting Opportunities at Technology Job Fair

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. CWI Information Technology Department has some tips and information to help you protect yourself from malware and scams.

Read more about Cybersecurity Awareness: Malware and Fake Online Advertisements

The Cyber Defense Center is hosting a five-day summer camp that introduces students to the world of cybersecurity.

Read more about Jump Into the World of Cybersecurity through Raspberry Pi Summer Camp

The week-long daytime event is aimed at teaching high school students the basics of computing, cybersecurity, and information technology through a hands-on, fun, and engaging experience.

Read more about CWI and Boise State Host Cyber Summer Camp

College of Western Idaho’s Computer Science and Information Technology Department will host a day of education and training to expand cybersecurity knowledge around the state.

Read more about CWI to Host Idaho Cyber Range Day

Cybersecurity student, Stanley Ward, was selected out of thousands of students for a national scholarship through his participation in a national cybersecurity competition. 

Read more about Cybersecurity Student Awarded National Cyber Competition Scholarship

Congratulations to College of Western Idaho Cybersecurity Professor, Dr. Linda Otto, who was awarded the 2022 Idaho Business Education Association Outstanding Postsecondary Educator of the Year Award...

Read more about Otto Recognized as Outstanding Postsecondary Educator of the Year

Congratulations to College of Western Idaho's Cybersecurity team who advanced to the finals and placed fourth at the Future of Work Academy cybersecurity incubator competition.

Read more about Cybersecurity Team Advances to Finals of Nationwide Cybersecurity Competition

Cybersecurity Representatives from College of Western Idaho’s Cyber Defense Center took part in the Idaho Office of Emergency...

Read more about Cyber Defense Center Leadership Attends Cybersecurity Summit

College of Western Idaho’s Cybersecurity program is one step closer to receiving full Center of Academic Excellence Cyber Defense accreditation.

Read more about Cybersecurity Program Closer to Receiving Center of Academic Excellence Accreditation
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