Get hands-on with San Jac’s new cybersecurity bachelor’s degree
Practice makes perfect.
That’s the thought of San Jacinto College’s new cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program, launched in fall 2024. It’s one thing to study network security, cryptography, and ethical hacking. It’s another thing to practice them.
Enter San Jac’s security operations center, a lab equipped with high-performance computers and industry-standard software and monitoring tools. Not every student can land an internship. That’s where the security operations center, also known as the SOC, comes in.
Working alongside College information technology staff, students analyze live data and practice monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyberthreats.
“No other community college I know of in Texas has operationalized this level of practical, SOC-based training, where students gain experience that compares to entry-level cybersecurity roles,” Rizwan Virani, senior director of cybersecurity programs, said.
Live cyberthreat training
Remote jobs, cloud technology, and artificial intelligence have transformed the work landscape. Industry partners and San Jac’s IT staff designed the program’s curriculum to address industry needs and emerging cyberthreats.
A critical piece was the security operation center.
“Our SOC training is uniquely hands-on, allowing students to work with live data and simulated cyber threats in a controlled environment,” Virani said.
This space includes network monitoring, incident response, and forensic analysis systems. Plus, cloud software ensures the latest technology rather than outdated systems.
“Our graduates will be job-ready day one going into industry,” Virani said.
Student perspective
Travis Dodson-Perez, one of the program’s first students, is excited to jump into the security operations center — but for more reasons than training alone. He helped set up the space.
Dodson-Perez, who earned the cybersecurity associate degree in 2019, already works as a technical analyst for San Jac. This past fall, he enrolled in the bachelor’s program to advance his skills.
“The SOC is an incredible resource in its current configuration and will deliver an exceptional learning experience when I get the chance to be in there for course-related work,” he said.
Hearing rumors about a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree several years ago, Dodson-Perez paused his university coursework, eager to study at San Jac once again. After finishing his bachelor’s degree, he plans to continue working at the College, equipped to tackle more advanced network security issues.
“San Jac is an incredible place to work and attend classes,” he said. “No other bachelor's degree would make me as proud to earn.”
Validated training
In fall 2024, San Jac received program validation for its cybersecurity associate degree from the U.S. National Security Agency’s National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. It can seek the same designation for its bachelor’s degree program after three years.
What does this mean for students?
“You’re receiving a high-quality education that is nationally recognized and respected by employers, increasing your job market competitiveness,” Virani said.
Students can also access scholarship and internship opportunities only available to Center of Academic Excellence institutions.
High-demand job market
If you’re interested in cybersecurity, you can expect plenty of jobs and growth opportunities.
According to cyberseek.org, the U.S. currently needs about 500,000 more cybersecurity professionals, with approximately 18% of cybersecurity jobs remaining unfilled. Texaswages.com reports that information security analysts in the Gulf Coast region earn a median annual salary of $113,284.
At San Jac, you may pursue the entire four-year cybersecurity pathway or complete the program in two years if you already have an Associate of Applied Science in cybersecurity. Plus, you’ll pay the same low tuition for upper-level courses as you would for freshman or sophomore classes.
“Our program graduates will leave not only with a four-year degree but also with four to five industry-recognized certifications, setting them apart from other candidates in the cybersecurity job market,” Virani said.
