Cybersecurity Professional Training
Cybersecurity Training in California and Nevada
Cybersecurity work covers a wide range of jobs, from monitoring a company’s network for intrusions to testing systems for weaknesses before an outside attacker finds them first. Advanced Career Institute’s Cybersecurity Professional program trains students across that range, starting with office and computer fundamentals and building toward ethical hacking, digital forensics, and network defense. Graduates earn a Cybersecurity Professional certificate of completion from ACI.
Program Length and Delivery Format
The Cybersecurity Professional program runs 32 weeks and totals 720 clock hours (48 quarter credit hours). Delivery format depends on campus:
- Visalia, California: distance education. Students complete coursework through ACI’s online learning portal from home.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: hybrid format. Students combine on-campus lab sessions with online coursework.
New cohorts start on a rolling basis. An admissions advisor can confirm the next available start date at either campus.
What Students Learn
The curriculum is built in two phases. The first phase covers the office and communication skills a cybersecurity professional uses on the job every day:
- Navigating operating systems and using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Typing speed, formatting, and document accuracy
- Spreadsheet formulas, formatting, and charts
- Professional and customer-facing communication
- Analytical problem-solving and workplace decision-making
- Resume writing, interview preparation, and workplace ethics
The second phase moves into the core cybersecurity track:
- Offensive security testing and penetration testing methods
- Ethical hacking techniques
- Security operations and monitoring
- Digital forensics
- Network defense
Lab work takes place in isolated, legal environments under strict rules of engagement, so students practice offensive techniques without risk to real systems. Instruction combines lectures, demonstrations, hands-on labs, and scenario-based exercises built to mirror real security incidents. Coursework and labs are structured to align with industry certifications including CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), and penetration testing fundamentals. Certification exams are not included in tuition and are not required for graduation.
Cybersecurity Professional Certificate of Completion
Students who complete all coursework, labs, and the program’s required externship earn a Cybersecurity Professional certificate of completion from Advanced Career Institute. Before graduating, students complete a 135-hour unpaid externship in the computer technology field, adding hands-on experience alongside their coursework.
Careers for ACI’s Cybersecurity Professional Graduates
Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles in information technology and cybersecurity, including:
- Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
- Information Security Support Specialist
- Network Security Technician
- Junior Penetration Tester
- Digital Forensics Technician
- IT Security Help Desk Analyst
These roles appear across industries that depend on computer networks, including information technology firms, financial services, healthcare systems, government agencies, and managed security service providers. Demand for this work is strong nationally. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $129,180 for information security analysts in May 2025 and projected employment in the occupation to grow 21 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. In California, information security analysts earned an average annual wage of $138,570 in 2025, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data.
Admission Requirements
Enrollment in the Cybersecurity Professional program follows the same entrance standards ACI applies across its programs, plus computer access for online coursework.
Standard requirements include:
- A valid photo ID and Social Security card
- A U.S. high school diploma, GED, a recognized state equivalent, or a passing score on ACI’s entrance examination
- Completed enrollment paperwork, including the enrollment agreement and required disclosures
Because coursework is delivered online or in a hybrid format, students also need a personal computer meeting these minimum specifications:
- Processor: 1 GHz (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Memory: 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- Disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
- Graphics: DirectX 9 with a WDDM 1.0 driver or higher
- A USB 2.0 port and a 512 MB USB drive
- Reliable internet access
Applicants who do not meet the entrance examination score for this program may retest.
Why Students Choose ACI
Hands-On Labs
Students practice offensive and defensive security skills in isolated lab environments built to mirror real security incidents, rather than learning security concepts from lecture alone.
Responsive Instruction
Instructors and Student Services respond to student questions within 24 hours, and graded coursework is returned within seven calendar days, so students get regular feedback throughout the program.
Certification Preparation
Coursework and labs are aligned with CompTIA Security+, CEH, CHFI, and penetration testing fundamentals, giving students a foundation to pursue these certifications after graduation.
Job Placement Assistance
ACI provides resume review, interview preparation, and placement assistance to help graduates connect with employers hiring for cybersecurity and IT support roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Cybersecurity Professional program require prior IT or cybersecurity experience?
No prior IT or cybersecurity experience is required. The program starts with foundational computer and office skills before moving into cybersecurity coursework.
Does the program include an externship?
Yes. Students complete a required 135-hour unpaid externship in the computer technology field before graduating, in addition to coursework and labs.
Is the Cybersecurity Professional certificate the same as a college degree?
No. It is a certificate of completion from ACI, not an associate or bachelor’s degree. It shows employers that a graduate finished ACI’s cybersecurity and IT training.
Are certification exams, like CompTIA Security+ or CEH, included in tuition?
No. Coursework and labs align with certifications including Security+, CEH, CHFI, and penetration testing fundamentals, but the exams themselves are not included in tuition and are not required to graduate.
How much does the Cybersecurity Professional program cost?
Tuition, fees, and financial aid depend on current rates and the admissions process. Prospective students can review tuition assistance options or call 877-649-9614 for current pricing.
How does someone apply to the Cybersecurity Professional program?
Prospective students start by requesting information online or calling 877-649-9614 to speak with an admissions advisor, who confirms entrance requirements and the next available start date.
Where is Cybersecurity Professional training offered?
The Cybersecurity Professional program is currently offered at two ACI campuses:
Request More Information
Prospective students who want details on cost, start dates, and financial aid for the Cybersecurity Professional program can request more information online.