Rhode Island Cybersecurity Certificate and Associate's Degree

According to an October 2020 report by Newsweek, Rhode Island ranks 39th among all states when it comes to how states are affected by cybercrime. The FBI crime statistics reported that in 2019, the state lost over $10 million to cybercrime. This amounts to a loss of $10,072 per 1011 total victims. In Rhode Island, cybercriminals earned just over $2 million. There were 241 cybercriminals from Rhode Island logged in 2019. 

Rhode Island is a small state. However, it is part of the densely populated New England corridor that boasts some of the nation’s fastest Internet speeds. Under Rhode Island law, cyberstalking and theft of under $500 are classified as misdemeanors. 

In 2019, the state of Rhode Island launched one of the nation’s first statewide cybercrime hotlines for citizens to report cyberattacks. By dialing 211, citizens could report cyberstalking, identity theft, financial fraud, cyberbullying and other cybercrimes. It was funded through federal grant monies obtained by Congressman Jim Langevin. The Cybercrime Support Network was created to handle the calls and the program, in conjunction with the United Way Rhode Island, the Rhode Island State Police, and the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center.

Even in a state as small as Rhode Island, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. No matter where in the country, or, indeed, the world, you live, cybersecurity is a major concern. If you think working in cybersecurity sounds like a challenge that you wish to take on, getting an associate degree or certificate in cybersecurity is a great first step. Keep reading to discover how you can get started along this career pathway in Rhode Island. 

Rhode Island’s Effects on National Cybersecurity Law and Policy 

Rhode Island Democrat Congressman Jim Langevin co-introduced legislation in June 2020 to re-create a national cybersecurity position that had been eliminated under the Trump Administration. The administration abolished the position of national cybersecurity director at the White House, and this position is included in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The National Cyber Director Act is the part of the NDAA that Langevin is proposing. He notes that the country needs someone in charge of cybersecurity at government’s highest level. 

The National Cyber Director, if created, would have budgetary and policy authority to oversee implementation and development of the country’s cyber strategy. The measure is expected to be voted on in the Senate in December 2020. If it passes, the candidate for the position would likely not be chosen until inauguration day, when the new President Biden would nominate someone. 

Getting an Associate Degree or Certificate in Cybersecurity in Rhode Island

Jobs in Rhode Island that may be obtainable with an associate degree or certificate in cybersecurity include:

  • Cybersecurity Analyst – DELL, Providence
  • Cybersecurity Analyst – NTT Data Services, Newport
  • Associate Security Analyst – Care New England, Providence
  • IT Security Analyst – Oracle, Providence 
  • Information Security Analyst – American Express, Providence

Rhode Island’s Cybersecurity Associate Degree Programs

Titles of some of the associate degree programs in cybersecurity available in Rhode Island include:

  • Associate in Science in Computer Studies and Information Processing-Cybersecurity 
  • Associate in Science in Cybersecurity & Network Engineering

Cybersecurity Associate Degree and Certificate Programs in Rhode Island 

When choosing an institution at which to study cybersecurity, you should make sure that it is accredited by regional or national accreditation agencies that have been listed with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).  

Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE)

The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began the National Centers of Academic Excellence program in 1999 to recognize the best cybersecurity programs in the United States, designating these programs as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).

Rhode Island Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education 

These programs in Rhode Island are Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD):

400 East Avenue

Warwick, RI 02886

CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2023

Michael Kelly, Contact

(401) 825-2056; kelly@ccri.edu 

East Greenwich Campus

One New England Tech Blvd.

East Greenwich, RI 02818

CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2025

(401) 467-7744

  • University of Rhode Island – 

Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics (online)

Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security (online)

Department of Computer Science & Statistics, Digital Forensics and Cyber Security Center

Kingston, RI 02881

CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2021

Lisa DiPippo, Ph.D., Program Director

(401) 874-2701; dipippo@cs.uri.edu 

Other Associate Degree and Certificate Cybersecurity Programs in Rhode Island

More associate degree and certificate programs in cybersecurity in Rhode Island include:

  • Salve Regina University – 

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Digital Forensics

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Cyber Security and Intelligence

Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Department of Graduate Studies & Continuing Education

100 Ochre Point Ave.

Newport, RI 02840

Michael Brady, Contact

(401) 341-3227; https://salve.edu/users/dr-michael-brady/contact 

Cybersecurity Associate Degree Program Courses in Rhode Island

No matter which associate degree in cybersecurity program in Rhode Island you choose, you can expect to take courses such as:

  • Cybersecurity Threats and Defense
  • Security of the Internet of Things
  • Introduction to Linux
  • Information Assurance, Policy and Compliance
  • Cyber Scenarios
  • Computer and Networking Fundamentals
  • Desktop OS Troubleshooting
  • Routing and Switching Essentials
  • HTML and JavaScript
  • Programming Essentials Using Python

Examples of electives that may be available for you to take, if you so desire, in an associate cybersecurity degree program in Rhode Island are:

  • Microprocessor Control Systems
  • Effective Teams and Projects
  • Principles of Management
  • Business Analysis with Spreadsheets
  • Marketing Communications
  • Planning Your Financial Future
  • Career Development
  • Sales and Customer Service
  • Leadership in Action

Cybersecurity Salaries in Rhode Island 

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in May 2019 that information security analysts (just another name for cybersecurity professionals) working in Rhode Island earned an annual mean wage of $95,450. Those working in the only metropolitan area in the state for which wage statistics are kept, the Providence-Warwick metropolitan area, earned slightly lower than average annual wages of $95,380.