Online cyber-security courses counter threats to computers & networks

With the rising threat of cyber attacks, security breaches and identity theft, the need for cyber-security training has never been greater. The recent “hack attack” against Google and Adobe was called “highly sophisticated,” and reports indicate the attacks targeted at least 34 companies in the technology, financial and defense sectors.

The Adaptive Cyber-Security Training Online (ACT-Online) courses, now available on the Texas Engineering Extension Service’s (TEEX) online training campus, are a vital step toward countering today’s cyber threats.

The 10 new online courses are available in three discipline-specific tracks and target everyone from the non-technical computer user to technical IT professionals and business managers. The online training is offered at no cost to U.S. citizens, who can earn a certificate of completion along with Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Three years in development, the cyber-security training is designed to ensure that the privacy, reliability, and integrity of the information systems that power the country’s global economy remain intact and secure. The courses are certified by the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA and were originally developed by the University of Memphis and Vanderbilt University. The course content draws from the most current information and knowledge from top researchers and experts in the field.

“These classes are available at the right time to meet the serious threats facing our computer networks,” said Rebecca Tate of TEEX and the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC). “They are timely and relevant to anyone interested in security information and protecting personal or business data. And they complement our capabilities and core competency in the area of Critical Infrastructure/Key Resources (protection).

“The courses are well-designed and highly interactive,” she added. “They use smart technology and a pre-exam to customize the training to your level of knowledge. This training is a must for everyone who uses computers.”