Cybersecurity

Detect and Protect

Prepare for employment in a career field that is crucial to infrastructure by supporting and protecting sensitive data and systems.

Cybersecurity employee working on laptop in a server room with wires and a server in the background

BC3 prepares you for a career in Networking and Cybersecurity.

BC3’s 65-credit program is intended to prepare graduates to install, configure, secure and support an organization’s network.

Led by Indiana University of Pennsylvania, BC3 is one of six community colleges in the state that will emphasize cybersecurity education by working to increase students' completion rates in certification programs and the rates of students transferring to senior institutions.

“The projected change in employment through 2031 for information security analysts is 35 percent and regarded as much faster than average.”

- Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

PC4A Funding

BC3 will fund financial awards, boot camps and professional information-technology certification examinations for eligible students as part of a $400,000 U.S. Department of Defense grant the college was allocated as a partner organization in a new consortium. The goal of the Pennsylvania Community College Consortium Cooperative Agreement (PC4A) is to support and strengthen the cybersecurity workforce in our country.

“The U.S. Department of Defense knows 'we need more trained, skilled workers in the area of cybersecurity.”

- Les Graves, BC3 associate professor and coordinator of networking and cybersecurity program

Learn more about PC4A and the Institute of Cybersecurity

COMPTIA logo

Industry-Leading Certification

The Computing Technology Industry Association (COMP-TIA) provides industry-leading certifications for tech professionals working in a wide range of technology topics, including cybersecurity.

  1. Pass the TestOut Network Pro Certification exam. This is given as the final exam in the associate degree program's networking II course.
  2. Enroll in BC3's new 40-hour, remote-format boot camp. Students in the grant-funded boot camps will learn about network fundamentals, network operations, network security, network implementation and troubleshooting.
  3. Complete five practice tests. These tests with a total of 1,200 questions will prepare students for the nationally recognized Computing Technology Industry Association professional certification examinations in Network+ or in Security+. 
  4. Receive a voucher. Students who complete the boot camp will be provided with the grant-funded vouchers to finance the cost of the COMP-TIA examinations that are not part of BC3’s curriculum in networking and cybersecurity. 

Nathan McGowan, BC3 networking and cybersecurity student and recipient of U.S. Department of Defense grant-funded reimbursement for COMP-TIA certification exam

“I benefit the most from the COMPTIA certification exams that they are paying for us. The certification proves that you know what you are doing, and employers love to see it on a resume. Not only that, but they are not cheap, and it gives us a free shot at taking it with no repercussions.” 

— Nathan McGowan, 20, Butler | BC3 networking and cybersecurity student | On receiving the U.S. Department of Defense grant-funded reimbursement for COMP-TIA certification examinations.

Financial Awards

Current BC3 students can apply for U.S. Department of Defense-funded financial awards!

View the criteria and application below.

Scholarship Application

In the News

Read the most recent news coverage on the grant and consortium.

BC3 News
"$400K grant to benefit BC3 networking and cybersecurity students"
View Article

Butler Radio Network
"BC3 To Receive Federal Funding To Expand Cybersecurity Program"
View Article

Butler County Business Matters
"Digital Defense." - Page 14
View Article

Community College Daily
"Funding roundup (Pennsylvania)"
View Article

 

Student Testimonials

Victor M. Garrido, BC3 computer science student, recipient of U.S. Dept. of Defense grant-funded financial award

“The award has allowed me to invest in computer repair tools and components that I otherwise would not have been able to acquire. These purchases have helped me gain a practical understanding of computer systems and the tools needed to maintain and repair them.”  

– Victor M. Garrido, 43, Butler | BC3 computer science student, U.S. Marine Corps veteran | On receiving the U.S. Department of Defense grant-funded financial award.

 
Zachary Witty, BC3 networking and cybersecurity student and recipient of U.S. Dept. of Defense grant-funded financial award

“The teaching staff is extremely helpful and knowledgable about the field. They make it a joy to come in to class.” 

— Zachary Witty, 28, Valencia | BC3 networking and cybersecurity student | Recipient, U.S. Department of Defense grant-funded financial award

 

Accreditation and Partnerships

accreditation council for business schools and programs logoNetworking and Cybersecurity, A.A.S. is a program of the Business Division at BC3. BC3 is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for the offering of all business programs that culminate in the Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science Degrees.

 

PA Community College Consortium Cooperative AgreementBC3 is a partner in the Pennsylvania Community College Consortium Cooperative Agreement (PC4A) with the goal of supporting and strengthening the cybersecurity workforce in the United States as part of a $400,000 U.S. Department of Defense grant.

 

Department of Defense DoD STEM
The PC4A Project is proudly funded by the US Department of Defense. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Naval Research.