Pictured: Students pursuing an Associate of Science degree in Cybersecurity Operations at SCF, Manatee-Sarasota can choose between full-time and part-time schedules. Photo courtesy of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

This fall, students at State College of Florida (SCF), Manatee-Sarasota now have the opportunity to pursue an Associate of Science degree in Cybersecurity Operations. 

“Every company needs some type of cybersecurity solution,” says Jason Reed, Associate Professor, Department Chair and Program Manager of Cybersecurity Operations at SCF, Manatee-Sarasota.

At an annual advisory meeting, Reed said the school identified a need for more cybersecurity professionals in the area and decided it was time to offer this new degree. Students choosing to study cybersecurity operations will be prepared for careers in cybersecurity, digital defense, security analysis, networking engineering and management-level positions.

“Cybersecurity and networking go hand-in-hand,” Reed says. “Most of the time when you think of cybersecurity, you’re trying to secure a company’s network.”

Although Reed says students would ideally complete the degree in two years, SCF, Manatee-Sarasota offers a full-time and part-time schedule of study. The curriculum includes Cisco certification classes, cybersecurity courses, ethical hacking, data forensics and general computer classes, such as hardware and networking.

Jamie Smith, Public Information Officer and Associate Vice President of Government Relations at SCF, Manatee-Sarasota, emphasizes the affordability and accessibility of not only this degree, but of the entire institution. Coursework is designed for not only first-time college students, but also older adults and those pursuing online coursework.

“We really try to cater to the local workforce community and make it easy to do so,” Smith says.

Additionally, smaller class sizes allow students to have easier access to their instructors, as most classes average around 25-30 students.

“My goal is to make sure we’re producing and educating students in a way that they’ll be able to utilize skills to be successful in the workplace,” Reed says.

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, 5840 26th St. W, Bradenton, 941-752-5320, SCF.edu

Pictured: Students pursuing an Associate of Science degree in Cybersecurity Operations at SCF, Manatee-Sarasota can choose between full-time and part-time schedules. Photo courtesy of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.