Course Description
The Cybersecurity Internship course allows students to apply and expand their knowledge of cybersecurity in real-world settings through hands-on experience. Covering critical topics like network security, threat detection, incident response, and risk management, students will gain direct exposure to industry practices. Activities include observing cybersecurity professionals, participating in projects to secure systems, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing risk mitigation strategies. By bridging the gap between academic study and industry application, this course ensures that students are prepared with practical skills, insights into current cybersecurity trends, and experience with leading-edge technologies. Students must obtain approval for their own internship setting. Approval can be obtained by contacting the Associate Director of Technology. Students are asked to complete all Internship forms at the beginning of the course. 200 hours of field experience (observation and practice) are required for completion of this course. A passing grade of ‘C’ or above is required for this course. (3 credits)
Prerequisite
- CSS 345: Auditing IT Infrastructure for Compliance
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:
- Evaluate cybersecurity strategies to protect assets against specific threats and vulnerabilities, demonstrating an understanding of core security principles and technologies.
- Analyze documented cybersecurity incidents to determine their impact on an organization, creating informed response strategies based on historical and current threats.
- Develop detailed risk assessment reports that prioritize identified risks, offering actionable recommendations to mitigate cybersecurity threats.
- Design and implement security protocols and processes that enhance organizational security, justifying their effectiveness based on current industry standards.
- Integrate principles from established cybersecurity frameworks to construct tailored best-practice guidelines, adapting them to unique organizational needs.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Weekly Hours Log (Weeks 1-15) | 10% |
Discussions (Weeks 1-15) | 10% |
Journals (Weeks 2-7 & 9-13) | 15% |
Midpoint Evaluation and Reflection (Week 8) | 15% |
Final Evaluation and Reflection (Week 15) | 15% |
Cybersecurity Internship Capstone Presentation Draft (Week 14) | 5% |
Cybersecurity Internship Capstone Presentation (Week 15) | 30% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are no cost for students.
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1 | Topics: Orientation & Internship Preparation |
|
2 | 4,5 | Topic: Workplace Professionalism & Ethics |
|
3 | 1,4 | Topics: Industry Roles & Specialization |
|
4 | 1,3 | Topic: Technical Foundations in Practice |
|
5 | 3,4,5 | Topic: Security Policies, Compliance & Governance |
|
6 | 1,2,3 | Topics: Threat Intelligence & Current Trends |
|
7 | 2,3,4 | Topics: Risk Management & Incident Response |
|
8 | 1,2 | Topic: Midpoint Reflection |
|
9 | 1,3,4 | Topics: Cybersecurity Tools in Industry |
|
10 | 1,4 | Topics: Cloud & Emerging Security Issues
|
|
11 | 3,4 | Topics: Security Awareness & Human Factors
|
|
12 | 2,3,4 | Topics: Documentation & Reporting |
|
13 | 4,5 | Topics: Career Development in Cybersecurity |
|
14 | 1-5 | Topic: Final Presentation Development |
|
15 | 1-5 | Topics: Final Presentation and Reflection
|
|
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.