Cybersecurity
At Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC), cybersecurity is more than just a priority—it's a dedicated pathway to a secure future. The College's Cybersecurity Degree Program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to defend against the ever-evolving landscape of digital threats. Through a blend of cutting-edge coursework, hands-on training, and real-world applications, students are prepared to protect critical data and systems. This program not only underscores the college’s commitment to digital security but also empowers students to become leaders in the field, ready to meet the demands of a rapidly changing cyber world.
Face-to-Face and Virtual Labs
HGTC offers a dynamic Cybersecurity Degree Program that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Students gain hands-on skills in state-of-the-art labs dedicated to Penetration Testing, Ethical Hacking, and Digital Forensics, providing them with the tools to tackle real-world cyber challenges. The program is designed to be flexible, offering both synchronous and asynchronous learning options, allowing students to tailor their education to fit their schedules while receiving the same rigorous, high-quality instruction. This approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared to enter the cybersecurity field with confidence and expertise.
Programs
Associate in Applied Science
This degree will provide an introduction to networking and firewall functionality, configuring a firewall and local area networks to include a functional DMZ and incident response, forensics and team training. The courses will use a cyber range/NOC to target hands-on mastery of the complexities of cyber-attacks and develop skills to classify the various types of network attacks among other types of cybersecurity operations, forensics and ethical hacking.
Certificate Program
This cutting-edge certificate program is designed to provide theory and hands on experience in Cybersecurity, preparing the students for employment in a fast growing field. The program will provide the skills needed to recognize security attacks, block those attacks, and forensically acquire information from seized hardware in a state-of-the art classroom.
Continuing Education
Graduates of the Cybersecurity Degree Program at Horry Georgetown Technical College not only have a wide range of immediate career opportunities but also the potential to further their education. After earning an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Cybersecurity, students can seamlessly continue their academic journey by transferring to four-year institutions to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity or related fields. This pathway enhances their expertise and opens doors to advanced positions such as Cybersecurity Managers, Information Security Officers, and Cyber Risk Analysts. The solid foundation provided by Horry Georgetown Technical College equips students with the skills necessary to excel in both their current roles and future academic pursuits, ensuring they remain competitive in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Professors
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Carleigh Hickman
Associate Professor
Artificial Intelligence & Computer Technology (843) 349-5237Carleigh.Hickman@hgtc.edu -
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Career Outlooks
Information Security Analyst
- Role: Protects an organization’s computer networks and systems by monitoring for security breaches, investigating incidents, and implementing security measures.
- Skills Needed: Knowledge of security protocols, risk assessment, and incident response.
- Certifications: CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Average Salary: Around $102,913 per year.
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
- Role: Monitors and analyzes an organization’s security posture on an ongoing basis, responding to security incidents and alerts.
- Skills Needed: Familiarity with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, threat detection, and incident response.
- Certifications: CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), Certified SOC Analyst (CSA)
- Average Salary: Approximately $75,000 per year.
Junior Penetration Tester
- Role: Conducts simulated attacks on an organization’s systems to identify vulnerabilities.
- Skills Needed: Knowledge of penetration testing tools and techniques, ethical hacking.
- Certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
- Average Salary: Around $70,000 per year.
IT Support Specialist
- Role: Provides technical support and assistance to users, often serving as the first line of defense in identifying and addressing security issues.
- Skills Needed: Basic IT knowledge, troubleshooting, customer service.
- Certifications: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+.
- Average Salary: Approximately $50,000 per year.
System Administrator
- Role: Manages and maintains an organization’s IT infrastructure, ensuring systems are secure and running smoothly.
- Skills Needed: System management, network security, scripting.
- Certifications: Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Average Salary: Around $76,861 per year.
These roles provide a solid foundation for a career in cybersecurity, offering opportunities to gain experience and advance to more specialized positions. HGTC maintains its own Pearson | Vue Test Center located on the Conway Campus for taking industry certifications.
News and Events
HGTC Students Succeed at Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition
HGTC proudly announces the success of its students at the Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition held at Trident Technical College in North Charleston, South Carolina.
HGTC Professor Appointed to SREB Commission on Artificial Intelligence
HGTC is proud to announce that Professor Stan Greenawalt, a distinguished faculty member in the Cybersecurity and Information Technology, has been invited to join the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Commission on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Cybersecurity Team Wins Award at Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition
HGTC is proud to announce the HGTC Cybersecurity Team secured top honors at the 2023 Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition (PCDC) and Hack Warz Competition in Charleston, SC.
Student Resources
- Bits and Bytes Club @ HGTC - The Bits & Bytes Student Club is a college affiliate chapter of the national professional Association of Information Technology Professionals, sponsored by the Computer Technology Department. Membership is cross-curriculum and open to anyone interested in computers, networking, programming or technology in general. All AITP student members will be provided opportunities to socialize with other student members, faculty, and IT employers in the community. Members also participate in numerous community activities, such as Treats for Special Kids.
- Try Cyber Interactive Labs - Try Cyber is a web application for cyber work role discovery and exploration. It provides the cyber curious access to short 15-minute hands-on micro-challenges, where you can experience a day-one internship as one of the ten supported NICE Framework cyber work roles partnered with a fictional mentor.
Industry Advisory Board
Joseph Bonanno
Co-Founder & President
Archetype SC
joseph.bonanno@archetypesc.com
Edward Gause
Director of Information Services
Horry Telephony Cooperative, Inc.
edward.gause@htcinc.net
Michael Holbrook
Horry Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
Network Administrator
michael.holbrook@htcinc.net
Denise Hyland
Manager
RadixBay
denise.hyland@radixbay.com
Bo Soles
Owner/Operator
Cyber Safety Consulting, LLC
bo@cybersafetyconsulting.io
Jaime Zilonka
Lead Security Administrator
Horry Telephony Cooperative, Inc.
jaime.zilonka@htcinc.net