Why study IT-Network Security?
Networks are embedded in nearly every aspect of modern life, and their performance, reliability, and security are critical to an organization’s success. A Network Security degree prepares students to design, implement, manage, and secure enterprise‑level network infrastructures. Students develop hands‑on skills working with switches, routers, servers, and cloud‑connected systems while learning how to monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure seamless availability.
Degrees & Certificates
IT – Network Security
Associate Degree in Applied Science
Time to Complete:
Two years
Schedule:
Evening and online classes
Studying systems security at Forsyth Tech equips you to design secure architectures, protect data integrity, configure firewalls, detect intrusions, and apply defense strategies. Learn about compliance, technology crimes, and law at our Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
IT – Network Security – Cisco Certified Network Associate
Certificate
Time to Complete:
1-2 semesters, part-time
Schedule:
Day, evening and online classes
Becoming a Cisco Certified Network Associate will prepare you with the basics of networking, switching and routing and network programmability. Cisco is an international networking, cloud and security technology conglomerate.
Forsyth Technical Community College is a DHS/NSA recognized Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. The Committee on National Security Systems in conjunction with the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly announced Forsyth Technical Community College the designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. Students can choose several options to obtain this recognition as well as receive your degree credential.
$47/hr
Average salary range
29 %
Projected job growth through 2034
514,000
Job openings
Career Tracks
With a CCNA, you aren’t just a “Cisco person”—you’re a qualified network gatekeeper.
-
NOC Analyst (Network Operations Center): Monitor health, troubleshoot outages, and handle basic security alerts.
-
Junior Network Security Engineer: Assist in deploying firewalls and managing VPN access.
-
Network Support Technician: Hands-on hardware setup, cabling, and basic router/switch configuration.
-
System Support Associate: Bridging the gap between server health and network connectivity.
After 2–4 years, you generally branch into one of these high-paying “tracks”:
-
Network Security Architect: Designing “Zero Trust” environments and massive encrypted infrastructures.
-
Cybersecurity Analyst: Moving away from hardware to focus purely on threat hunting and incident response.
-
Cloud Network Engineer: Managing virtualized networks in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
-
Wireless Security Specialist: Securing enterprise-grade Wi-Fi and IoT (Internet of Things) sensor networks.
Get the education you deserve without spending your days worrying about how to afford it. Our financial aid team can help you chart a path to paying for college, including through debt-free grants and scholarships.
The Forsyth Tech Cares program supports students so they can succeed, including access to financial assistance, health services, and confidential counseling.
Visit us today!
Forsyth Tech’s Main Campus is located at:
2100 Silas Creek Parkway,
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
