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Cybersecurity fundamentals IBM SkillsBuild

Community college systems in Alabama, the California Bay Area, Colorado, and Louisiana will implement new IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity certificates in cybersecurity and data analytics.

Following a pilot programme and collaborative design process with community colleges, IBM introduced two new IBM SkillsBuild credentials in cybersecurity and data analytics.

“Community colleges really help the workforce adopt necessary technology skills,” said Lydia Logan, Vice President for Global Education and Workforce Development of IBM Corporate Social Responsibility. “With these new credentials, IBM is helping learners acquire in-demand skills employers are seeking in a new artificial intelligence-enabled workplace.”

IBM SkillsBuild Certificate

The certifications were created in consultation with academic and business specialists to suit the needs of learners. Programmes at community colleges can incorporate them into the current curriculum so that students can receive credit.

Crafted to satisfy the requirements of students: Those with a high school diploma or GED, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in a non-technical discipline who are looking to change careers, upskill or pursue a first degree can apply for these credentials. All levels of self-paced, hands-on learning can help students get ready for careers as network security technicians, data visualisation specialists, junior information security analysts, and entry-level marketing analysts, among other positions.

Created in collaboration with specialists from academia and industry: The new competency-based IBM SkillsBuild certificates, which align coursework and learnings with current employer demand as well as market trends and expectations, were developed and validated by a coalition of industry experts led by Jobs for the Future (JFF) in order to maximise job opportunities for students upon completion.

IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity Certificate

Among the experts were representatives from national education NGOs and schools, as well as employers such as banks and tech companies. Include college credit integration into currently offered community college programmes: Each certificate programme can be included into the curriculum of a community college and lasts between sixty and sixty-five hours. Following a Learning Evaluation Review of the certifications, the American Council on Education (ACE) suggests completing the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity Certificate with 12 credits and the SkillsBuild IBM Data Analytics Certificate with 8 credits. Potential employers recognise the coursework, which also corresponds with the themes and capabilities of the CompTIA SEC+ certification.

The following courses must be finished in order to get the new IBM SkillsBuild certificates: Governance, risk, compliance, data privacy, vulnerability management, cloud security, system and network security, security operations management, incident response, and system forensics are all covered by the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity Certificate.

Data classification, data usability for businesses, inferential and descriptive statistics, data collection and analysis, data preparation for analysis, and data visualisation and presentation are all covered in the IBM SkillsBuild Data Analytics Certificate.

Students will also gain access to more than 1,000 free courses on topics including  artificial intelligence, sustainability, cybersecurity, data analytics,  cloud computing, and workplace skills, as well as IBM SkillsBuild, which offers additional certifications.

In 2023, a successful trial programme for the new certifications involved students from Alabama, Colorado, California, and Louisiana.

Dr. Courtney Monette, Special Programmes Project Director, Alabama Community College System, stated, “Alabama community college worked with IBM to pilot the Cybersecurity Certificate because of the strong need for entry-level competency-based credentials that help students start on a pathway for an IT career.” “In 2021, Alabama adopted a skills-based workforce training programme called Mobilising Alabama Pathways, or MAPs, that allowsNew and returning adult education and career pathway students can receive a certificate such as the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity or Data Analytics Certificate, which will boost confidence and basic employability skills in all high-demand, high-wage profession clusters.”

“It was a rewarding experience for the student participants, for me, and for the college to use the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity credential for my two community education Cybersecurity Fundamentals coursesthat I tested at Diablo Valley College throughout the autumn and spring semesters,” said Richard Grotegut, Computer Network Technology Faculty at Diablo Valley College, which is part of the Contra Costa Community College District and a member of the Bay Area Community College Consortium.

“It justified the college’s decision to add the subject to its curriculum beginning with the upcoming academic year. The certification turned out to be an excellent starting point for learning about cybersecurity. While the majority of participants improved their academic standing and are going back to school, a few “career-changers” in the course took advantage of their performance to land jobs as technical support staff members at nearby businesses.

The comprehensive course material and methodology, which placed a great emphasis on written and spoken communication skills, was crucial in helping the students develop the confidence needed to get those jobs.”

Front Range Community College President Colleen Simpson, EdD, said, “They are overjoyed that Front Range Community College has been chosen as one of four colleges nationwide to collaborate in designing and launching the new IBM SkillsBuild data analytics credential.” “This cooperation with eminent technology leader IBM gives their students the chance to acquire important critical skills in this fast expanding field.”

BRCC Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith stated, “Baton Rouge Community College was excited to work with IBM in piloting this initiative last year.” “They are excited to carry on this partnership and work with IBM to grow the programme and make it available to residents of Louisiana through the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.

By this partnership, they are proving their dedication to providing their residents with the knowledge and real-world experience needed to succeed in the highly sought-after domains of data analytics and cybersecurity. By working together, they are laying the groundwork for Louisiana to become a national leader in these quickly expanding fields, making sure that their workforce is equipped to meet new challenges and grasp possibilities.”

Joel Vargas, Vice President of JFF’s Education Practice, stated: “Employers, learners, and workers need nimble and trusted ways to acquire and validate skills that will lead to quality jobs of the future in an increasingly dynamic economy shaped by fast-evolving technology.” “JFF is proud to work with IBM and these innovative colleges to lead the charge on creating scalable solutions to meet this growing need.”

As part of its innovative skills-first strategy and its commitment to equipping 30 million individuals with the new skills they’ll need for tomorrow’s employment by 2030, IBM has forged strong ties with community colleges.

What is IBM SkillsBuild?

A free educational initiative called IBM SkillsBuild aims to make technology education more accessible. IBM helps faculty members, students in high school and universities, and adult learners acquire useful new skills and access professional prospects through this programme. The programme consists of an online platform in addition to tailored experiential learning opportunities that are provided in association with an international network of partners.

The open version of IBM SkillsBuild is an online learning environment that provides more than 1,000 courses in 20 languages covering a wide range of technical subjects, including  AI, sustainability, cybersecurity, data analysis,  cloud computing, and many more. It also covers workplace competencies like design thinking. Earning market-recognized digital credentials bearing the IBM brand is possible for participants.