SCC COMPUTER TRAINING ACHIEVES NATIONAL CERTIFICATION

         St. Charles Community College has been recertified for its computer technology curricula by the National Security Agency in Washington, D.C.

        The NSA’s Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) sets standards of excellence for information assurance and security in academia, private industry, and government.

        SCC is the only community college in Missouri and one of only 23 community colleges nationwide to have gained this certification.

        SCC first gained the recognition in 2004 by participating in the Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation Program (IACEP), a set of standards designated by the CNSS. SCC’s official certification is the “4011 CNSS National Standard for Information Systems Security Professionals,” one of several certifications offered by the NSA.

        To obtain the 4011 CNSS certification, the IACEP requires computer technology training to meet a set of 256 criteria in the categories of communications, automated information systems, security, system operating environment, National Security Telecommunications and Information Systems Security (NSTISS) planning and management, and NSTISS policies and procedures.

        Barbara Keim, vice president for technology, research, and planning, said the project took several months to complete. “It was a very time consuming but worthwhile process. We had to show how our coursework specifically met each criterion. By mapping six of our courses to their criteria, we were able to meet their standards and receive this national stamp of approval.”

        “SCC has always offered top quality instruction on computer technology courses at very affordable prices,” Keim continued. “It’s good for our students and the community to know that we are now nationally recognized for the quality of our technology offerings.”

        A group of six courses met the certification criteria: Computer Ethics, Introduction to Data Processing, Introduction to Data Communications, Networking Basics (Cisco), Systems Analysis and Design, and Computer Security.

        Students who complete the six main courses will receive a certificate noting that they have completed curricula that adheres to national training standards. SCC offers associate’s degrees and/or certificates in the following computer technology programs: Business Computing, Computer Programming, Database Management, Management Information Systems, Multimedia/Web Design, Networking, Telecommunications, Advanced Network Design, and Programming Languages.

        The 4011 CNSS certification will extend through September 2013 at which time SCC will need to reapply. In summer 2008, the college will be recognized along with other certification recipients at the CNSS annual conference.

        For more information on computer technology programs at SCC, call 636-922-8334.

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