Program overview

Whatcom is a significant national player in cybersecurity education

and a critical partner in local workforce development. The College

continues to invest in the program to match emerging industry

demand for trained professionals.

Whatcom’s acclaimed Computer Information Systems (CIS)

program started in 1996 and has continually evolved to reflect

industry demand and standards, including the addition of a

cybersecurity degree in 2013. Indicating Whatcom’s foresight,

National Science Foundation (NSF) grants backed the program’s

development. Enrollment has increased 50 percent in the past five

years from 110 to 167 students; one out of four are veterans.

wCC is home of CyberwatCh west

Whatcom is the lead institution and home of CyberWatch West, a

regional cybersecurity education network funded by a $3-million

NSF grant. An NSF-Advanced Technology Education center,

CyberWatch West is one of only four centers in the nation dedicated

to cybersecurity education. This designation acknowledges

Whatcom’s expertise in the field and Technology Department Chair

Corrinne Sande’s national leadership in cybersecurity education.

Program highlights

• Cisco-certified Networking Academy

• Named a National Center of Academic

Excellence in Information Assurance/

Cyber Defense in 2014 – one of the first

community colleges in the United States

to earn this distinction, with curriculum

mapped to the National Security Agency’s

latest requirements.

• Home of CyberWatch West

COMMUNITY COLLEGE ComPuter information systems/CyberseCurity

• Two pathways: a two-year Associate in Science

degree in CIS and a two-year Associate in

Applied Science - Transfer in Cybersecurity.

• Students graduating with a CIS degree

are ready to work in roles such as network

technicians, network or system administrators,

or computer support.

• Students who graduate with the Cybersecurity

degree can either begin their careers or transfer

to Western Washington University to earn a

Computer Information Systems and Security

(CISS) baccalaureate degree.

• The baccalaureate partnership is one of the

nation’s few community college-to-university

cybersecurity degree collaborations and may

soon expand to the University of Washington.

• Typical starting salaries:

$16.22/hour, certificates

$26.60/hour, AAS-T degree

$40.81/hour, CISS bachelor’s degree

Degree highlights

• In summer 2014, Whatcom’s CIS and

Cybersecurity labs and classrooms were

remodeled and more than doubled in size

to 5,378 sq ft.

• The upgraded facilities include two lecture

spaces, three enlarged labs, a networking/

server room and a lab tech space.

• Improved lab layout allows for increased

interaction among instructors and

students.

other information

To learn more about how Whatcom’s CIS and

Cybersecurity programs are positively impacting the

regional technology workforce and our community,

please contact WCC’s Public Information Office:

360.383.3310 or pio@whatcom.ctc.edu.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

“Whatcom has quietly been establishing a

reputation as a significant national player in

technology education and building a level of

expertise that’s setting a standard for community

college cybersecurity programs. With Whatcom as

a partner, we can develop core competencies of

the future technology workforce and attract people

and companies to our region.”

—Mark Knittel, owner, Bellingham-based Ovation

Technical Services. Chairman of TAG’s Board of

Directors, Member of WCC’s CIS Advisory Committee

wCC’s role in eConomiC & workforCe DeveloPment

The tech industry in Whatcom County is growing at a remarkable

pace: 164 percent growth in the past 20 years compared to King

County’s 66 percent and the state’s 58 percent growth.*

WCC plays several roles in supporting economic and workforce

development, including building the talent pipeline, upgrading

skills of incumbent workers and informing the business

community’s knowledge of cybersecurity issues.

To ensure curriculum anticipates industry need, the College is

actively engaged with business leaders – many of whom serve on

our program advisory committee – and professional organizations

such as the Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington

(TAG).

Whatcom’s expertise will benefit Bellingham’s growing technology

industry by providing a well-trained workforce and helping to solidify

the region’s reputation as an up-and-coming technology center.

Program outComes: what stuDents learn

• Identify threats and implement

countermeasures to ensure network system

security

• Implement and troubleshoot a variety of

network topologies and protocols

• Set up and maintain medium-sized routed

and switched networks

• Perform the basics of computer and

network security

• Communicate professionally with

customers and co-workers

• Additional skills/knowledge, depending on

focus of study

*Source: U.S. Census Bureau, TAG

10-2014