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PHCC programs help trip up hackers

The goal is to train students to build and protect information technology networks for businesses.

By PHIL DAVIS
Published October 19, 2005

Computer viruses. Hackers. Spyware. Identity theft.

These are everyday concerns for businesses looking to cash in on the information age.

"It's not just making sure the virus protection is up to date," said Karen Lederer, an assistant professor at Pasco-Hernando Community College. "Hackers are looking for ways to get at information, be that to use it maliciously or, in some cases, just for fun."

Lederer is leading a new associate in science degree program at PHCC in information technology security and a certificate program in e-business security.

"We have a lot of businesses now looking for individuals who do only network security," she said.

The program will tackle topics ranging from the nuts and bolts of networking to ethical and legal issues in the computer security field. Classes will be offered at the college's west campus at 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

Lederer will begin teaching an introductory course, Principles of Information Security and Assurance, in January. She describes it as a classroom discussion on the theory of computer security.

A total of six computer security-related classes will make up the core of the 63-hour associate's degree program. Other courses in the program include: operating systems security, firewalls and virtual private networks, intrusion detecting and auditing, network security and computer forensics, which Lederer describes as "how to find information on systems other people might not want to be found."

The idea is to create a well-rounded information technology professional who can build a network and protect it from threats from inside and outside the company.

"It's certainly cutting edge for us at Pasco-Hernando Community College," she said. "And for the industry, too."

[Last modified October 19, 2005, 00:30:20]