Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Cybersecurity affects every individual, organization, and nation. This course focuses on the evolving and pervasive technological environment with an emphasis on securing personal, organizational, and national information. Students will be introduced to the principles of cybersecurity, explore emerging technologies, examine threats and protective measures, and investigate the diverse high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand career opportunities in the field of cybersecurity. Students will have the opportunity to prepare for success on related industry certifications aligned to the course content. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills. High-quality Work-based Learning (HQWBL) will provide experiential learning opportunities related to students' career goals and/or interests, integrated with instruction, and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations.
Notes
This framework has course sequences that have been revised; they will be published on July 1, 2027, and will be effective for the 2027-2028 school year. For additional information, see the course sequence spreadsheet on the Resources page. For technical assistance, please email CTE@doe.virginia.gov.
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Course Sequences
A combination of this course and those below, equivalent to two 36-week courses, is a concentration sequence. Students wishing to complete a specialization may take additional courses based on their career pathways. A program completer is a student who has met the requirements for a CTE concentration sequence and all other requirements for high school graduation or an approved alternative education program.
- Cybersecurity in Family and Consumer Sciences (36 Weeks)
- Cybersecurity in Food & Agriculture (36 Weeks)
- Cybersecurity in Manufacturing (36 Weeks)
- Cybersecurity in Marketing (36 Weeks)
- Cybersecurity Operations (36 Weeks)
- Cybersecurity Systems Technology (36 Weeks)
- Health Informatics (36 Weeks)
- Healthcare Information Security (36 Weeks)
- Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals (36 Weeks)
Industry Credentials (Only apply to 36-week courses)
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Examination
- Certified Associate in Python Programming (PCAP) Examination
- Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT) Examination
- Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP) Examination
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Examination
- Certified Network Defender (CND) Examination
- Certified Secure Computer User (CSCU) Examination
- Cloud Essentials+ Certification Examination
- CodeHS Cybersecurity Level 2 Certification Examination
- CodeHS Level 1 Certification Examinations
- Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) Examination
- Computer Networking Fundamentals Assessment
- Digital Forensics Essentials (DFE) Examination
- EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH) Examination
- Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE) Examination
- IC3 Digital Literacy Certification Examinations
- Information Technology Specialist Certification Examinations
- Microsoft Certified Fundamentals Examinations
- National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- Network Defense Essentials (NDE) Examination
- Security Pro Certification Examination
- Security+ Certification Examination
- Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth Examination
Career Clusters
| Pathway | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Network Systems and Cybersecurity |
|
