The Computer Systems Technology (CST) program at the ICTC is designed to provide students with relevant certification in the Information Technology field. Employers welcome potential employees who have professional credentials or degrees. The CST program helps students gain the practical experience and knowledge needed to pass the entry-level certifications for A+, Network+, Server+ and Security+. CompTIA’S A+ CERTIFICATION This program is designed to give students the essential information for the CompTIA A+ certification exam. This is a vendor neutral certification showing a person’s proficiency in computer hardware, upgrades, installation and troubleshooting, as well as computer operating systems.

CompTIA’s NETWORK+ CERTIFICATION
This program is designed to allow students to prepare to take CompTIA Network+ certification exam. This is a vendor neutral certification showing a person’s proficiency with basic networking knowledge and skills. Students gain experience by setting up peer to peer networks, client/server networks, installing network operating systems, creating user accounts and passwords. They learn to install network hardware such as hubs, switches, routers, gateways, patch panels and network interface cards.

**THIRD YEAR SPECIALTY ELECTIVE COURSES:
CompTIA’s SERVER+ CERTIFICATION (Network Administrators, Systems Managers, MIS, CIO)
This course is designed to allow students to prepare to take the CompTIA Server+ certification exam. This is a vendor neutral certification showing a person’s proficiency with basic server installation, configuration, and management and troubleshooting skills. Students gain experience by installing server hardware and network operating systems; plan for disaster and emergency recovery of data; troubleshoot and optimize network and server performance.

CompTIA’s SECURITY+ CERTIFICATION (Security Specialist, Computer Forensics, FBI, CIA, Homeland Security)
This course is designed to allow students to prepare to take the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. This is a vendor neutral certification showing a person’s proficiency with basic computer and network security issues. Students will learn about the different types of computer and network attacks used by hackers to breach security, how to proactively and reactively counter those attacks, how to secure their network infrastructure, how to secure data through cryptography, and how to plan operational data security measures. Students will learn how to detect intrusions and how to defeat these attempts at data theft.

Planned Courses:

A+ - one year (First year students)

• Computer and Electrical Safety
• Computer Hardware
• Operating Systems and Applications
• Introduction to Networking

Network+ one year (Second year students)

• Networking Fundamentals
• Internetworking Fundamentals
• TCP/IP Fundamentals
• Network Operating Systems
• Fault Tolerance, Disaster Recovery, and Troubleshooting

Server+ one semester (Third year students)

• Server Hardware
• Installation and Configuration of Network Operating Systems
• Disaster Planning and Data Recovery
• Performance Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Security+ one semester (Third year students)

• General Security Concepts
• Infrastructure Security
• Basics of Cryptography
• Operational and Organizational Security

Academic Courses (Recommended & Required for Tech Prep)

• Applied Math I & II
• Algebra Il or Geometry
• Trigonometry or Solid Geometry
• Biology or Applied Biology
• Physics or Applied Physics
• Chemistry, Chemistry I or Applied Chemistry

Advanced Standing

• Westmoreland County Community College
• Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
• Pennsylvania College of Technology
• Dual Enrollment opportunities with PA Highlands Community College

 Career Opportunities

• Basic Network Technician (LAN)
• Advanced PC Technician
• A+PC Technician (Bench/Field, Help Desk)
• Computer Systems Engineer*
  Security Specialist*
• Computer/Network Systems Administrator/Manager*
• System/Network Analyst*
• Computer Programmer*

*Post-secondary education required