Hudson County Community College and New Jersey City University Join Forces for Vital Cybersecurity Degree Program
March 28, 2022
Seated: New Jersey City University President, Dr. Sue Henderson, and Hudson County Community College President, Dr. Chris Reber. Standing: Dr. Tamara Jhashi, NJCU Senior Vice President and Provost, and Dr. Darryl Jones, HCCC Vice President for Academic Affairs.
March 28, 2022, Jersey City, NJ – The increasing and evolving threats of data breaches, phishing, malware, and ransomware have fueled new interest in the cybersecurity industry and its challenges. Cyberattacks cost an estimated $6 trillion globally each year. Hackers target banks, colleges and universities, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, hospitals, and private citizens. As cyber criminals access sensitive information and cripple computer networks, victims scramble to protect their assets and regain control.
Recently, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and New Jersey City University (NJCU) signed an articulation agreement for a Cybersecurity Dual Admission program. Beginning September 2022, HCCC students can complete an Associate of Science in Computer Science- Cybersecurity degree at HCCC and transfer seamlessly into attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity at NJCU.
“We are proud to partner with New Jersey City University in preparing students for stable, well-paying careers that offer many opportunities for advancement, and that ultimately benefit the community,” said HCCC President Dr. Chris Reber.
“A degree in cybersecurity will provide students with solid career skills and earning potential in a number of industries,” said NJCU President Dr. Sue Henderson. “We are pleased to work with HCCC to transition students to our bachelor’s degree program, which is among just a few in the country with designations in both cybersecurity and intelligence. Students will learn from some of the top security experts in the discipline and leave with cutting-edge knowledge as well as practical experience.”
Employers across all sectors are investing in cybersecurity, the fastest growing industry in the United States, with job growth projected at 31%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cybersecurity professionals work in education, energy, finance, health care, insurance, law enforcement, manufacturing, retail, and more. Their responsibilities include developing and maintaining secure digital infrastructures, preventing data breaches, analyzing and identifying potential risks, and implementing digital disaster recovery plans.
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) alumnus Stephen Cronin viewed the issue as an opportunity to work towards a career in combatting cybercrime. The 2020 graduate of the HCCC Cybersecurity program expressed that his classes, specifically Network Security and Ethical Hacking, gave him the skills and knowledge to be successful at a four-year university and in the industry. He strongly recommends the program to anyone who is interested in a career in technology or information security.
“There are no other institutions that offer this cutting-edge knowledge at such an affordable and accessible level, right here in our community,” said Mr. Cronin.
The HCCC Cybersecurity program of study has been validated by the National Security Agency and provides instruction in computer programming, computer hardware organization and architectures, network security, cybersecurity, data communications and local area networks. Upon successful completion of HCCC’s Associate degree in Computer Science-Cybersecurity, graduates will enter NJCU as fully matriculated students with junior standing. The HCCC Cybersecurity program also includes Year Up six-month internship opportunities where students put their training to work at companies such as Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and BNY Mellon.