Cybersecurity - Offensive Security (Certificate)

Program Summary

Offensive security is a rapidly growing field within the cybersecurity industry. Today’s threat actors are more evolved than what it was even 10 years ago, and to catch them, companies need a more proactive approach rather than reactive when they wait for the attack to happen before they go ahead. Offensive Security, also known as ethical hacking or penetration testing, is a proactive approach to cybersecurity that involves testing digital systems for vulnerabilities and weaknesses. The ultimate goal is to identify and fix these issues before attackers misuse them. 

Offensive security is critical for securing modern applications and software. With the increasing dependence on digital systems and networks, the risk of cyberattacks has also increased. Cybercriminals constantly evolve their tactics, and traditional security measures are no longer enough to protect against sophisticated attacks. Offensive Security offers a proactive approach to identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in applications and software, including those that existing security measures might overlook. It allows organizations to discover and fix issues before attackers can exploit them, reducing the risk of costly data breaches and other cybersecurity incidents. Moreover, offensive security testing can help organizations meet compliance requirements for regulations such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR. These regulations require regular security testing to ensure organizations take appropriate steps to protect sensitive information. Offensive security is also essential for protecting against emerging threats such as zero-day vulnerabilities and advanced persistent threats (APTs). These attacks can be particularly challenging to detect and defend against, making this kind of security testing a crucial component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

Program Information

• All courses must be passed with a “C-” (1.7) or better to be counted in the certificate.
• Credits older than 10 years must be approved by the CSCY Department Chair before being allowed to count towards the major due to the rapid change in the industry.

Certificate Completion

This certificate program must be completed in conjunction with a degree program. The certificate will be awarded at the same time as the degree program and cannot be earned independently of a degree.