Advisory Board
Dr. Pamela Thompson
Catawba College
Matt Hickman
Corek Enterprises
Matt Cochran
Hendrick Motorsports
Jonathan Ford
Lutheran Services Carolinas
Ginger Tavernier
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Systems Administrator
Ken Clifton
Retired
Kevin Moker
Riskscape Services
Janet Alexander
Trillium Health
Shane Watkins
Wells Fargo
About the Cybersecurity Program
The Information Technology Cybersecurity Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree was designated by the NSA as a validated Program of Study in 2022. This program prepares students to identify, analyze and mitigate cybersecurity threats by applying industry-standard security controls and protocols. Students engage in hands-on, skills-based training designed to build practical expertise in information security. The curriculum integrates competencies aligned with industry-recognized certification exams and includes experiential learning components to support mastery of advanced cybersecurity concepts.
Institutional Resources
Student-Related Policies and Procedures
The Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Student‑Related Policies and Procedures Handbook provides guidance on student rights, responsibilities, and technology and cybersecurity-related policies. Students are encouraged to review this resource on a regular basis.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Cyber Resources
This page provides a curated collection of cybersecurity tools, government sites and industry organizations designed to support students in Information Technology and Cybersecurity programs.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Library’s Computer Ethics LibGuide
This requires Rowan-Cabarrus Community College credentials to access.
External Resources
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
As the National Coordinator for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, CISA works with partners at every level to identify and manage risks to the cyber and physical infrastructure that Americans rely on every hour of every day.
CyberSeek by NIST
The CyberSeek Pathway tool was demonstrated as a mechanism to identify entry-, mid- and advanced-level cybersecurity jobs and apply the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework to help individuals identify the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for career advancement.
Carolina Cyber Network
The Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) is a comprehensive, innovative workforce development initiative among select North Carolina’s Cybersecurity educational institutions working together to meet the growing talent needs of North Carolina’s public agencies and private businesses.
Quick Facts
The United States loses $100 billion annually as a result of cybercrime, which targets over 556 million victims per year.
The FBI’s Most Wanted List for cyber criminals currently contains just five individuals, but each is responsible for consumer losses ranging from $350,000 to $100 million.
About 10% of all social media users have received a cyber-threat. More than 600,000 accounts are compromised every day on Facebook alone.
Cybersecurity Activities for Students
SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA offers several IT competitions that allow students to put into practice the concepts learned in the classroom
EMATE Interactives
Students can enhance their learning in the areas of Cybersecurity, Cryptography, CMMC, Networking and Programming.
TryHackMe
Students can learn and practice Cybersecurity skills. There are limited free options, with the option of purchasing a membership.
Internal Cybersecurity News
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College IT Students Participate in SkillsUSA
Students from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College recently demonstrated exceptional skills at the 2025 SkillsUSA North Carolina State Leadership and Skills Conference, held April 9-11, at the Greensboro Coliseum and Koury Convention Center. Competing in a wide range of career and technical events, 18 Rowan-Cabarrus students placed in the top five of their respective competitions. These students showcased their knowledge, leadership and professionalism in areas such as Technical Computer Applications, Internetworking, and more. Read the full press release: Rowan-Cabarrus Community College students earn top honors at the 2025 SkillsUSA North Carolina State Conference
Several IT Students Attend the RETR3AT Conference
Held on February 20, 2026, the full-day experience featured keynote presentations, a series of TED-style talks from industry leaders, networking opportunities, and a dedicated job fair. With sessions ranging from emerging threats to real-world career pathways, students were inspired by the next wave of cybersecurity innovators and bridged the gap between education and the workforce.
External Cybersecurity News
Cybersecurity Alerts & Advisories
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) works to defend against today’s threats and to collaborate on building a more secure and resilient infrastructure for the future. This site lists the alerts and advisories as they are discovered.
Cybersecurity Bulletins
This CISA site lists the weekly summaries of new vulnerabilities.
SecurityWeek
Read the latest cybersecurity news in various sections, such as risk management,ICS/OT, and Cyber AI.