Department of Homeland Security illustrated cyber security is one of fastest growing career fields.

Cyber Security and computer forensics related fields are seeing growth throughout the United States within the Department of Homeland Security. The Five-Year Anniversary Report from the Department of Homeland Security has illustrated cyber security is one of fastest growing career fields.

Southwest Florida College has introduced within the last few weeks, opportunities within the Criminal Justice program to take a Bachelor of Science degree within Public Service Administration, with a concentrations including: Law Enforcement Administration; Corrections Administration; Crime Scene Technologies; Emergency Preparedness; Crisis Planning and Security Management; and Social Justice.

In addition, SWFC has introduced a Bachelor of Science degree within the field of Criminal Justice in Cyber Technology and Security which will also prepare individuals for a variety of entry-level government and corporate Information Technology Security positions, performing digital forensic investigations as well as securing sensitive information technology networks and devices from vulnerabilities and attack.

Please read and feel free to share comments on the section of the article below from the Department of Homeland Security.

Fact Sheet: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Five-Year Anniversary Progress and Priorities

There is no parallel in government to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) start-up five years ago, and the degree of maturity it has reached in the short period since. The department's growth is testament to its 208,000 employees, who every day put service before self - patrolling borders, protecting ports, defending the skies, enforcing immigration laws, and responding to disasters and emergencies. The department has experienced a number of significant tests in its short history, is intensely focused on the next major task: ensuring a smooth transition from one administration to the next, through rigorous plans, exercises and best practices. In its five years, the department has achieved much to protect and secure the United States

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

The Department aims to protect critical infrastructure and key resources, essential government operations, public health and welfare, and the nation’s economic and national security interests to mitigate potential vulnerabilities and to ensure terrorist plans are not successful.

Setting Chemical Security Standards: The National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) established national standards for chemical facility security in a comprehensive set of regulations to protect chemical facilities from attack and prevent theft of chemicals that could be used as weapons.

Increasing Cyber Security: DHS established the Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) to provide a 24-hour watch, warning, and response operations center, which in 2007 issued over 200 actionable alerts on cyber security vulnerabilities or incidents. US-CERT developed the EINSTEIN intrusion detection program, which collects, analyzes, and shares computer security information across the federal civilian government. EINSTEIN is currently deployed at 15 federal agencies, including DHS, and plans are in place to expand the program to all federal departments and agencies.In addition, the Secret Service currently maintains 24 Electronic Crimes Task Forces to prevent, detect, mitigate and aggressively investigate cyber attacks on our nation’s financial and critical infrastructures.

Greater Information Sharing: The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) leads DHS efforts to improve the sharing of information and intelligence with federal, state, local and tribal partners, and to change the culture from a “need to know” approach to a “responsibility to provide.” I&A has deployed 22 intelligence officers to Fusion Centers across the country, with a goal of 35 by the end of 2008. DHS has also deployed networks such as the Homeland Security Data Network, a system for securely communicating classified information, to 18 centers and anticipates deploying to 40 centers next year.

Credentialing Port Workers: Since its October 2007 launch, more than 104,000 port workers have enrolled in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) biometric credential program. More than 750,000 longshoremen, truck drivers, port employees and others requiring unescorted access to secure areas of ports ultimately will be required to obtain a TWIC.

Protecting the Federal Workforce: ICE’s Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers protected approximately 9,000 federal facilities nationwide. In fiscal 2007, FPS was responsible for approximately 3,000 citations and arrests and intercepted roughly 760,000 prohibited items.

Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Efforts: In addition to TSA explosives detection technology at airports and Transportation Security Officer training, Science and Technology development, and the coordination efforts of the Office for Bombing Prevention, the department has also made billions of dollars in grants available to states and communities for IED prevention and protection.


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About Southwest Florida College: Southwest Florida College is an accredited, private institution of higher learning that is listening to employers and providing its students with placement assistance in today’s most demanding career fields. The college is located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte and Bonita Springs. The Institute of Interior Design is also located within the Bonita Springs campus. For more information, call 1-877-455-0107 or visit www.swfc.edu.