I gained the necessary skills and experience to get into the IT and cybersecurity [industries]. The labs in each course provided realistic situations you would see in a real Cybersecurity Analyst role. I am currently an IT administrator, and I would never have had this position without the knowledge I gained from this course.
Certified Cybersecurity Associate Program
Learn how to identify cyber threats and understand how organizations protect systems, networks, and data from digital attacks.
With cybersecurity roles continuing to expand worldwide, there has never been a better time to build your technical skills and earn an industry-aligned certification. This 100% online cybersecurity associate course provides beginner cybersecurity training and prepares students to earn a certified cybersecurity associate credential through hands-on labs and real-world learning experiences.
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Duration 100 Hours
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Difficulty Beginner
At a Glance: Cybersecurity Associate
- Entry level cybersecurity certification designed for beginners with no prior cybersecurity experience
- Beginner cybersecurity training requiring only basic computer literacy
- 100-hour cybersecurity training program delivered entirely online
- Program structure built around three stackable microcredential
- Approximately 60% hands-on labs and 40% interactive lessons
- Students earn the cybersecurity associate certification upon successful completion
Your Learning Style
Students complete interactive lessons alongside hands-on cybersecurity labs that simulate real-world scenarios such as analyzing network traffic and investigating potential threats.
Your Schedule
This cybersecurity training program includes approximately 100 hours of learning activities.
Your Future
Students completing this cybersecurity certification for beginners develop foundational skills aligned with entry-level cybersecurity roles such as cybersecurity associate or cybersecurity intern.
Explore Our Cybersecurity Learning Experience
Hands-On Cybersecurity Labs
The cybersecurity associate course includes practical lab exercises designed to simulate real cybersecurity investigations. Students practice analyzing network traffic, investigating suspicious files and identifying vulnerabilities within controlled environments.
Approximately 60% of the program consists of hands-on labs, allowing students to apply cybersecurity concepts while developing practical skills used in real-world security environments.
Applied Projects and Case Studies
Throughout the cybersecurity training program, students complete applied exercises and case studies that reflect real cybersecurity incidents.
These case studies help students demonstrate practical experience when pursuing cybersecurity roles.
Applied Certification assessment
To earn the certified cybersecurity associate credential, students must complete applied certification exams designed to evaluate practical cybersecurity knowledge.
Each exam includes a question-based assessment and a hands-on challenge followed by completing a written report documenting the investigative process and findings.
Skills Portfolio Development
As learners complete labs throughout the cybersecurity analyst program, they earn skills reflecting the practical cybersecurity tasks they have performed.
These documented skills can be shared to demonstrate progress and practical cybersecurity knowledge.
ACE Credit Recognition
3 college credit hours, independently validated and academically recognized.
This program carries an ACE credit recommendation, independently validated by faculty reviewers against college-level academic standards. That means this is not just job preparation. It is coursework that a college can recognize toward a degree.
Imagine Your Career in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity professionals play an essential role in protecting digital systems, investigating cyber incidents and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data.
This cybersecurity associate course introduces the foundational concepts used in modern cybersecurity operations, including threat identification, system protection and network defense.
Graduates of this cybersecurity training for beginners may pursue early-career roles such as:
- Cybersecurity Associate
- Cybersecurity Intern
These roles represent the first step in a career path that may expand into specialized cybersecurity fields such as incident response, security operations and digital forensics.
Alumni Success Stories
Students from our programs now work at notable organizations nationwide, including:
Certified Cybersecurity Associate Course Outline
The certified cybersecurity associate program is structured around three progressive courses designed to introduce foundational cybersecurity concepts and practical technical skills.
Each course includes lessons, hands-on labs and case studies that culminate in an applied certification exam.
Curriculum Overview
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Foundations Course
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Systems Course
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Operations Course
Certified Cybersecurity Associate Course Outcomes
This cybersecurity training program prepares students with foundational knowledge and practical experience required to begin a cybersecurity career.
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Learn Top Cybersecurity Skills
Develop technical knowledge of cybersecurity concepts including networking, system administration, threat detection and cloud security.
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Earn an Industry Certification
Students who successfully complete the program earn the certified cybersecurity associate credential and demonstrate readiness for an entry level cybersecurity certification pathway.
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Begin Your Cybersecurity Career
Graduates complete the cybersecurity training program prepared to pursue entry-level cybersecurity roles and continue advancing their technical cybersecurity knowledge.
Hear from Our Students
Rob R.
I have so much gratitude and thanks [for] this program, because, without it, I would have never gotten here. I definitely do not believe that I would have gotten this job if it wasn't for this program. It really has changed my life. And I couldn't be more happy [with] where I am at right now. I love my job now. I think it's awesome. It's amazing to have that option to work from home.
Morgan R.
Certified Cybersecurity Associate FAQs
What is a Certified Cybersecurity Associate?
The Certified Cybersecurity Associate is a beginner-level program that introduces non-technical learners to cybersecurity principles and career pathways. It serves as an accessible bridge into the field, building the foundational IT and systems knowledge needed before specializing in cybersecurity.
Is this Cybersecurity Associate certification good for beginners?
Yes. The Certified Cybersecurity Associate program is built specifically for learners with little or no technical experience. It provides a comprehensive entry point into the cybersecurity field by establishing the foundational IT knowledge and career awareness learners need before pursuing more specialized cybersecurity training.
What are the tuition costs for the Certified Cybersecurity Associate program?
The Certified Cybersecurity Associate program is now offered through our Cybersecurity Immersive program, which also includes the Certified Cybersecurity Analyst and Certified SOC Analyst credentials. Tuition is $8,900 for part-time and $12,000 for full-time (coming soon).
How long does the Cybersecurity Associate certification take?
The Certified Cybersecurity Associate program is now offered through our Cybersecurity Immersive program, which also includes the Certified Cybersecurity Analyst and Certified SOC Analyst credentials. As an instructor-led program, it's paced for learners over 18 weeks part-time, with a 10-week full-time option coming soon.
What skills will I learn in a Cybersecurity Associate program?
Learners develop skills including:
- cybersecurity fundamentals
- network and system awareness
- threat identification
- risk analysis
- cybersecurity operations workflows
Do cybersecurity programs include hands-on labs?
Yes. Over 60% of the program is lab-based, allowing learners to practice real-world cybersecurity tasks in simulated environments.