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Sandburg Will Add Cybersecurity Program

Carl Sandburg College plans to offer training in a field that's growing very quickly. Last month, the board of trustees gave preliminary approval to the cybersecurity specialist certificate program. 

Dr. Suvineetha Herath teaches Information Technology at the Sandburg campus in Galesburg. She says workers with IT skills are in high demand in many industries. A recent report by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education estimates there will be 1.8 million unfilled positions in cybersecurity by 2022. 

Herath says entry level employees make about $40,000 a year, and they can even more by going into management or earning a four-year degree. 

Students will learn how to protect information and keep data confidential, risk management, and how to think like a hacker.

The Carl Sandburg College cybersecurity specialist certificate program needs approval from the Illinois Community College Board before becoming available next fall.

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