Computer Network Systems Security

Degree program at Bay College

Why CNSS?

According to the US Government CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) webpage, “Cybersecurity is the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.” If you are interested in working in Cybersecurity, you must master computer systems and operating systems (CompTIA A+ skills), networking skills (CompTIA Network+ skills) and network and user administration skills (CompTIA Security+ skills) in order to be capable of ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. Those are exactly the skills you will learn in Computer Network Systems and Security (CNSS)!

According to the State of Michigan, employment in a Computer Network Systems career in the Upper Peninsula will lead most other sectors in job growth through the year 2026. Network Administrators, Computer Systems Analysts, Information Systems managers, Computer Support Specialists, and Information Security technicians will all experience increases in position openings through the year 2028! Many of these positions will offer starting wages of $17.00 to $23.00 per hour and require industry certification.

Computer Network Systems and Security curriculum prepares graduates in computer operating systems, network infrastructure and devices (routers and switches), server management (Windows and Linux), managing data and people, and all aspects of cybersecurity (system, network, human, and Internet). Students are prepped and encouraged to earn as many as 9 IT industry certifications, including the Microsoft Technology Associate certifications which are taken right in the classroom. CNSS is a 'hands-on' program because IT jobs are mostly 'hands-on' as well. And now, prepares students to take and to earn CompTIA certifications!

PROGRAM SHEET

Why Bay College?

The Computer Network Systems Security program at Bay College has recently been accepted as a CompTIA Authorized Academy. Students will now receive the education and hands on training as well as receive a free CompTIA certification voucher in several classes. Graduating with both a degree and respected industry certification will give our graduates a huge advantage in seeking employment.

LSSU 3 + 1 Transfer Agreement

Graduates of the Computer Network Systems and Security degree can take advantage of a seamless transfer to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Networking at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie. After completing requirements the CNSS degree students stay at Bay College for a third year while completing coursework in computer information systems, business, statistics, and other general education credits. Then, transfer to Lake Superior as a senior to complete their final 32 credits. 3 years at Bay College and 1 year at Lake Superior!

Network Administration Associate in Arts Degree

If you plan to transfer you should enroll in the Network Administration Associate in Arts degree that meets the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) requirements. Students take many of the same classes as our Computer Network Systems and Security classes, but by completing the AA in Network Administration can take advantage of the articulation to Mobile and Web Programming 4 year degree at Northern Michigan University. Bay College Network Administration AA to Northern Michigan University Mobile and Web Programming 4 year degree - Earn the first two years of your 4 year CS degree while staying at home and transfer 64 credits and an AA degree to NMU. Start at Bay College and then transfer your credits to a four-year university.

NMU 2 + 2 Articulation Agreement

The Bay College CNSS Department is going strong with more than 50 students enrolled in our degrees! Bay College prides itself on preparing students for both the IT workplace and in preparing students to transfer to more advanced curriculum at a university. The Mobile and Web Programming 4 year degree at Northern Michigan University fully articulates all classes taken at Bay College and students can choose to live in Marquette or drive to classes at NMU after transferring. Currently, more than 25% of students attending Bay College are enrolled in the NMU Associate of Arts in Network Administration transfer program.

CompTIA Security+

CNSS 130 Intro to Networking, CNSS 150 A+ Computer Maintenance, and CNSS 260 Network Security are all instructed using curriculum that map directly to CompTIA Certifications which all meet Department of Defense 8570.01-M Requirements. Any IT professional meeting these requirements will be eligible for the reported 500,000 current cybersecurity job openings and the 1.8 million future openings nationwide between now and 2022.

Notice in the tabs above that CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ certifications the IAT Level I that will earn you employment in any Department of Defense worksite and at local employers as these are quickly becoming a benchmark for hiring in civilian companies as well. Also, students that go on to earn the CompTIA Security+ certification have been approved for both IAT (Tech) and IAM (Management) baselines and those jobs. Learn in class, study and practice, and earn a Department of Defense certification after you graduate!

MTA Program

In 2011, Bay College became a Certiport Microsoft Technology Associate prep and testing center which allows CNSS and Network Admin degree students to access Microsoft Technology Associate certifications...for free (costs embedded in course fees)! Take CNSS classes and earn Microsoft certifications as part of your classes.

• MTA Operating Systems
• MTA Networking Fundamentals
• MTA Server Fundamentals (Windows Server)
• MTA Security Fundamentals
• MTA Mobile and Device Fundamentals
• MTA Database Fundamentals
• MTA Cloud Fundamentals

All CNSS students automatically receive the benefits of the Microsoft IT Academy (free Microsoft Operating Systems), free in class Microsoft Technology Associate certification testing, and the opportunity to receive free CompTIA Network+ and Security+ vouchers. All workstations have Xeon processors, 16 Gigabytes of RAM, and SSD hard drives.

Degree Options

Beyond Bay College

Students interested in transferring to a four-year institution to obtain a bachelor's degree or higher may find opportunities in the following areas of study:

• PC Bench Technician
• Routed Network Technician
• Wireless Network Technician
• Security Specialist
• Computer Forensics Specialist
• Network Administrator
• Web Server/Database Administrator
• Management Information Specialist
• Information Technology

Career Opportunities

This intense “hands-on” program prepares graduates for employment in information technology fields ranging from:

• PC Bench Technician
• Routed Network Technician
• Wireless Network Technician
• Security Specialist
• Computer Forensics Specialist
• Network Administrator
• Web Server/Database Administrator
• Management Information Specialist
• Information Technology Administrator Positions

O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers and more!

Additional Career Information

Co-op work experiences are required by the CNSS Advisory Board (local employers) in order for students to earn a CNSS degree. Co-op experience now require student to submit to a background check prior to placement on a job site. This requirement was requested by local employers. Students successfully completing a Co-op receive an evaluation from the employer worksite. CNSS instructors use this evaluation to assign a grade and the student can use this to help themselves to get a job. Co-op work experience is designed to help students find employment.

Co-op Work Experiences

• IT Analyst II for Tribal community
• K-8 School Tech Coordinator
• Bench Tech in Delta County
• IT Tech Support local engineering company
• K-12 School Tech Coordinator
• IT Tech Support Community College
• IT Help Desk Support for Community College
• Bench Tech in Dickinson County
• IT Software Support Tech Local Hospital

Co-op Work Experience Forms

• Co-op Registration Form
• Training Plan
• Background Check
• Resume Template