Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
NCAE Designated College
As of 2021, Riverside City College has been recognized by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, a covetous title given to colleges that excel in the education and development of students pursuing careers in the field of Cybersecurity. Our focus is to provide students with many of the skills, experiences, and certifications that they require to meet industry standards, build their eventual careers, and become future specialists.
Welcome
The RCC Cybersecurity Center is home to students and individuals alike looking for resources and opportunities to further advance themselves in their IT or Cyber Defense capabilities. With the recent validation of our program in Cyber Defense by both the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, we strive to provide everyone with the best possible educational and community based pathways. Either on or off campus, you can look forward to participating in On-Campus Clubs, joining Industry related events, reading up on current Industry news and articles and much more as part of the program.
Programs and Pathways
Awarded and recognized by the National Centers of Academic Excellence for Cyber Defense, the Information Security and Cyber Defense Certificate is now a validated Program of Study by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Through Riverside City College, this certificate gives students the essential skills needed in the field of Computer and Information Security to start their entry-level careers in Cybersecurity. The courses provide an overview of the entire field. Topics covered will include Cisco Networking, Windows Operating System security, Linux security, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, security policies and procedures, web security, and building a secure computer network. This program also maps to the California Community Colleges IT Technician pathway and C-ID state approved model curriculum.
Our Associate of Science Degree in Cyber Defense pathway provides students with a strong foundation needed in the field of Cyber Defense, with applicable skills in Windows and Linux operating systems security and administration, web security, ethical hacking, digital forensics, risk assessment, management, and mitigation techniques, and security policy/standards used to defend the various domains of information security to control access and reduce organizational risk.
Not sure where to start with Cybersecurity?
The Information Systems: Information Security Certificate will give the students the basic skills needed in the field of Computer and information Security.
Apprenticeship Program
For anyone interested in working towards building a career in IT/Cybersecurity, look no further than RCC’s State of California registered apprenticeship program. The program offers students the ability to gain career related hands-on work experience while also working towards achieving their academic goals all at the same time. The Apprenticeship program is partnered with many different businesses and employers with the combined goal of providing students with the experience and knowledge necessary to propel themselves in their future careers. Being apart of the program also includes the benefit of having all tuition costs for courses in the program being waived.
To get started as an employer partner, email john.wilson@rcc.edu for more information.
Meet the Team
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Faculty |
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Associate Professor, CIS & Program Lead Professor Skip Berry is one of Riverside City College's most scholastically and curriculum influential professors of all time. He is the Cyber Defense Program Lead and the Director of the Riverside City College Center for Cyber Security. He is an advanced level instructor of CISCO CCNA Security, Introduction to Cisco Networks, and Routing and Switching Essentials. Read More
Professor Berry is truly passionate about his instruction and always takes his teaching to new heights, developing new, innovative courses to expand student learning. He is the program lead for Information Security and Cyber Defense. He ceaselessly dedicates his time to educational philanthropy, devoting his time and energy into academic community programs for students of all ages (including junior high and high school). Skip Berry is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) with ISC² since 2010. He also holds his certification as a Certified Ethical Hacker, Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator, as well as his certification as a VMware Certified Associate in Cloud Technologies and VMware Certified Associate in Data Center Virtualization. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from the California Baptist University, and a Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance from Western Governors University. |
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Associate Faculty, CIS Brandon Oertel has a passion for teaching people of all ages about how Cybersecurity, Networking, and IT skills can transform lives and impact business outcomes across the world. Read More
As an Adjunct Professor at Riverside City College, his main focus has been helping
students understand how to take the knowledge and skills they learn in their courses
and apply them in a way that empowers them to be successful in their careers. After
obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Technology from California
Baptist University and a Master of Science in Cyber Defense from Dakota State University,
Brandon has continued his education and obtained industry certifications such as CCNA
and PCNSA to remain current in various technologies to better serve the students of
Riverside City College.
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Associate Faculty, CIS Mark Smith currently holds a Master’s in Instructional Technology from CSUSB, has three teaching credentials, various CompTIA certifications, and has been teaching for over 20 years. Read More
He has been an adjunct professor of CIS at RCC for the past three years and currently
owns an IT side business that has been in operation since 1997. He started computing
with his Commodore 64 when he was 12 where he ran a nighttime BBS and was an early
adopter of Linux in 1998 with Mandrake Linux. As an adjunct professor here at RCC,
he puts a great deal of time and effort into his teaching and goes out of his way
to help his students be able to learn and understand the concepts he teaches in class.
He is proud to be an adjunct at the best CIS program in the Inland Empire here at
RCC.
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| Business and Industry Leadership Team | |
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| Chrissy Alvey Network Kinection |
Derek Anderson Biztek Solutions Inc. |
| Casey Becking PierianDX |
Skip Berry Riverside City College |
| Erick Briggs Network Kinection, LLC |
Gail Caros |
| Steve Diaz Optiva IT |
Nathan Estrada |
| Dan Ghazarian Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties |
Erick Guzman ITGuru |
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Justin Hudson |
Sara Kania Network Kinection |
| George Khalil City of Riverside |
Saem Lee |
| Brian Matzelle CompTIA |
Mickey McGuire Acorn Technology Services |
| Nicholas Mugridge Riverside Unified School District |
Keith Nelson Vistem Solutions Inc. |
| Brandon Oertel Chaffey Joint Union High School / Riverside City College |
Donna Schulte |
| Mark Smith Riverside City College |
Kyla Smith Riverside City College |
| Jimmy Tran Riverside University Health System |
Ronald Weston Riverside Unified School District |
| Don Wilcoxson Riverside City College |
John Wilson |
Visit Us
Cybersecurity Center Located in the Martin Luther King Teaching and Learning Center (MLK).
Questions? For more information and questions, please email cyber@rcc.edu