By reading this, you’re likely using a device and accessing data needing care and protection. Would you like to learn how to prevent and detect threats and vulnerabilities, and how to respond to the ones that slip through the cracks?
AACC’s Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics programs teach students about threats and vulnerabilities, prevention, detection, response and security management surrounding information technology. Both seasoned information technology students and newcomers to the field can get started through AACC’s Department of Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics.
AACC holds the reputation of being the first community college in the country to be certified by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense. For more information, contact Mary Wallingsford, AACC's CAE point of contact, at mewallingsford@aacc.edu.
We're proud to be recognized as a leader in cybersecurity education. As such, the department offers an associate degree with three concentrations and nine certificates. Courses, events and clubs provide students with hands-on experience using current tools and techniques, all guided by faculty with experience in the field.
Learn more about our area of study.
Associate Professor Adrian Pringle, Program Chair for Cloud
410-777-2492
CALT 348
alpringle@aacc.edu
Professor Dawn Ryan, Program Chair for Digital Forensics
410-777-7055
CALT 256
drblanche@aacc.edu
Associate Professor Mary Wallingsford, Program Chair for Cybersecurity and Networking
410-777-7173
CALT 248
mewallingsford@aacc.edu
Assistant Dean Angelo Thalassinidis, Ph.D. (Interim Academic Chair)
410-777-2328
aethalassinidis@aacc.edu
CALT-242
Assistant Professor Bryan Deehring
410-777-2133
CALT 266
brdeehring@aacc.edu
Professor Carrie Leary
410-777-7088
CALT 338
csleary@aacc.edu
Associate Professor Adrian Pringle
410-777-2492
CALT 348
alpringle@aacc.edu
Assistant Professor Paul Redd
410-777-7280
CALT 254
plredd@aacc.edu
Professor Dawn Ryan
410-777-7055
CALT 256
drblanche@aacc.edu
Assistant Professor William Seabrook
410-777-2170
CALT 338
wdseabrook@aacc.edu
Professor Kasia Taylor
410-777-7096
CALT 250
ktaylor2@aacc.edu
Associate Professor Mary Wallingsford
410-777-7173
CALT 248
mewallingsford@aacc.edu
Assistance is available for current technology students in the open lab in CALT 204. Be sure to review the schedule posted in the doorway for the current hours of operation.
Enhance your computer science knowledge and skills, have fun, and experiment with current and emerging technologies in the Computer Science Club. Technical demonstrations, hands-on experiences and guest speaker events are a few of the activities the club offers. Raspberry Pi and Arduino units are just a couple of examples of the technology that our club, which is supported by the Computer Science department faculty, is exploring.
This club meets to discuss topics in cybersecurity and practice skills. All students are welcome! Club members also compete in regional and national cyber challenges. This club is supported by Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics department faculty.
Cybersafe at AACC provides resources to keep you in the know about protecting your digital lives. Whether that's learning how to report a scam or how to avoid having your identity stolen, we offer events like Data Privacy Day and Cybersecurity Awareness Month to ensure you have the resources you need to remain safe online.
High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA) student chapters foster, promote and encourage the study of criminal investigations involving advanced technologies and security by the academic community. Membership is limited to students majoring in computer science; forensics, criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, accounting, auditing or similar program of study with a minimum grade point average established by the International Executive Committee (IEC).
Consider expanding your learning beyond the classroom by becoming an intern. Whether you are looking to apply learning to a career or transfer to a four-year program, internships provide valuable experience and industry contacts.
Want to get paid while completing your four-year degree? NSA has a coop program for students majoring in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science or cybersecurity. In this program, you alternate between one term working at NSA with full pay and one term in college. Applicants must be full-time students and either second term freshmen or sophomores. For a complete list of internships and coop opportunities at NSA, Defense Intelligence Agency and National Geospatial-Intel Agency, visit U.S. Intelligence Careers.
For information about technology internships or the NSA coop, contact our Internship Program Coordinator. To schedule an appointment with the Internship Coordinator, please visit Internships at AACC.
Current technology students can seek job search assistance, including résumé writing and interview preparation by visiting our Career and Community Services page.
The Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics department is excited to share the following grant and scholarship opportunities with our students. You can also review the AACC Scholarships page to review other scholarship opportunities offered by the college.
Anne Arundel Community College was awarded National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) scholarship funding by the National Security Agency for transitioning veterans and first responders. Qualifying and selected students will receive up to $5,000 in tuition and fees (not including books, supplies or laptops) to prepare for and obtain their CompTIA Security+® certification. Grant recipients will receive mentoring and support to be placed in a paid internship, apprenticeship and/or permanent employment in governance, risk and compliance (GR&C) positions or other cybersecurity related positions.
The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship provides up to $5,000 in tuition assistance per year for eligible students who attend a Maryland community college. As a “last dollar” scholarship, it covers remaining tuition and fees after other federal and state financial aid has been applied.
Learn more about the Maryland Promise Scholarship.
University of Maryland University College offers eligible Maryland community college graduates the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree at a significantly reduced cost with the Completion Scholarship. Award recipients can complete a bachelor's degree program for $12,000 or less, well below the typical tuition cost for in-state students. If you've earned an associate degree from a Maryland community college, you are guaranteed admission to UMUC, as long as your conferral date is listed on your transcript.
Learn about the Completion Scholarship for Maryland Community College Graduates.
The Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program, powered by the Last Mile, supports community college students in a cybersecurity pathway (any program such as IT, information security, networking, etc., qualifies) through grants of $500 to cover short-term basic needs (e.g., food, rent, health related, transportation/car issues and/or a laptop/device). This program also offers subsidies for cybersecurity certification exam costs up to $375. In addition to funding, all grantees will receive a year of LinkedIn Premium and access to the Github Developer tools for free.
Eligibility criteria: Currently enrolled at a two-year institution in the U.S., pursuing a cybersecurity pathway and in financial need (as demonstrated by Pell grant status or a financial aid letter). No strings attached, no paying back and no GPA minimum!
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The Lockheed Martin Vocational scholarship seeks to fund students pursuing associate degrees, credit-bearing certificates or industry-recognized credentials in specific disciplines at two-year community colleges.
Eligible students must be U.S. citizens, high school seniors, graduates (GED® equivalent) or college undergraduates who have not obtained a bachelor’s degree.
To learn more, visit the Lockheed Martin website.
(ISC)² and its Center for Cyber Safety and Education are deeply committed to encouraging and supporting students pursuing a degree with a focus on cybersecurity, information assurance or a similar field. The scholarships, sponsored by (ISC)², support students globally. Efforts like these can put students on a pathway to long-term career success in a rewarding and critically important field.
Programs sponsored by (ISC)², KnowBe4, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and the (ISC)² RVA Chapter awarded almost $200,000 in scholarships in 2022.
For information visit the scholarship website.
The Cybersecurity Talent Initiative is the first-of-its-kind public-private partnership aimed at recruiting and training a world-class cybersecurity workforce. The program is a selective opportunity for students in cybersecurity-related fields to gain vital public and private sector work experience and even receive up to $75,000, inclusive of tax, in student loan assistance.
Participants selected for the program will be guaranteed a two-year placement at a federal agency with cybersecurity needs.
Applicant information and program requirements:
To receive updates about the next application opportunity, visit the Cybersecurity Talent Initiative website.
SMART Scholarship offers students pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate in STEM fields an opportunity to receive a full scholarship, stipend, internships and guaranteed employment.
The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program offers students pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields an opportunity to receive a full scholarship and guaranteed civilian employment with the Department of Defense upon degree completion. SMART offers students the chance to pursue their passion in STEM while supporting the mission of the Department of Defense.
SMART benefits
Eligibility requirements
Visit the scholarship website for information.
The Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program supports students who are pursuing an education in programs that have been identified by the Secretary of Higher Education as being directly relevant to cybersecurity.
Who may apply?
For information visit the program website.
Anne Arundel Community College was one of the first community colleges granted funding by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a C3P pilot program in the CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program. We are currently not recruiting cohorts at this time, but check this webpage periodically for any updates.
If you are interested in starting your cybersecurity career with the U.S. government, this might be the opportunity for you! Scholarship For Service (SFS) is a unique program designed to recruit and train the next generation of information technology professionals, industrial control system security professionals, and security managers to meet the needs of the cybersecurity mission for federal, state, local and tribal governments. This program provides scholarships for up to three years of support for cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate (Master of Science or doctorate) education. The scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation. In return for their scholarships, recipients must agree to work after graduation for the U.S. government, in a position related to cybersecurity, for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.
Learn about the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service and/or view a list of participating institutions.
By the time Devin Valko graduated from high school, he was halfway through completing an associate degree in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at AACC.
Read His Story