Future ReadyNYC Cybersecurity Pathway

Equipping students with skills to defend, protect, and lead in the digital world.

Welcome to the Cybersecurity Pathway

The FutureReadyNYC Cybersecurity Pathway at Brooklyn Nexus High school
 prepares students for careers in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world — cybersecurity and IT. This four-term CTE-aligned program is backed by industry leaders like CompTIA and TestOut, and includes hands-on labs, certification prep, and dual enrollment courses with LaGuardia Community College.Students graduate with technical skills, real certifications, and college credits — ready for the workforce or further study.

📘What Makes FutureReady Special?

  • Aligned with Industry Certifications – Students prepare for CompTIA’s A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications using the TestOut platform.
  • College Credit Opportunities – Students earn up to 12 college credits through dual enrollment with LaGuardia Community College.
  • Work-Based Learning (WBL) – Required internships, job shadows, and industry mentorships develop real workplace experience.
  • Exam Vouchers Provided – Students receive free vouchers (over $900 in value) to sit for CompTIA certification exams.
Four-Term Course Sequence

🧑‍🏫 Four-Term Course Sequence

Students begin the pathway in 10th grade and follow this structured progression:

Term Course Title Certification Focus
Term 1 CFM / Computer Applications Intro to Computers & Tech Literacy
Term 2 IT Essentials CompTIA A+ Prep
Term 3 Networking Essentials CompTIA Network+ Prep
Term 4 Cybersecurity Essentials CompTIA Security+ Prep
All courses are supported by TestOut virtual labs, simulations, and practice exams
Class instruction takes place in Room 462 with certified CTE instructors
Four-Term Course Sequence

🏆 Certifications: CompTIA Credentialing Path

Students are prepared for the following nationally recognized IT certifications:

Certification Description Value
CompTIA A+ Hardware, software, OS, troubleshooting, support $246
CompTIA Network+ Network devices, configurations, protocols, security $358
CompTIA Security+ Risk analysis, encryption, attacks, network defense $392
Free vouchersprovided to students in each course
Exams offered onsite or at authorized CompTIA testing centers
Credentials are stackable and job-qualifying
Four-Term Course Sequence

🎓 College Credit: Dual Enrollment at LaGuardia

Students can earn up to 12 college credits by taking four LaGuardia Community College courses offered through our school:

Course Name Course Code Credits Description
First Year Seminar LIF100 3 College & career readiness, planning, transition skills
Statistics MAT120 3 Intro to statistical methods, distributions, inference
Computer Fundamentals MAC100 3 PC hardware/software, system support, IT troubleshooting
Intro to Python Programming MAC108 3 Python basics, logic, automation, scripting for security
Four-Term Course Sequence

💼 Cybersecurity Careers & Salaries

This program prepares students for a wide range of IT and cybersecurity roles. Many can be pursued directly after high school or through further education and experience.

Job Role Description Avg. U.S. Salary*
IT Support Specialist User tech support and troubleshooting $56,000
Cybersecurity Technician Entry-level system monitoring, threat prevention $60,000
SOC Analyst (Tier 1) Monitor alerts and respond to incidents $72,000
Network Administrator Maintain and configure internal networks $80,000
Security Analyst Assess risks, implement defense strategies $95,000
Penetration Tester (Junior) Test systems for vulnerabilities $95,000
Cloud Security Technician Manage secure cloud environments $92,000
Digital Forensics Assistant Recover and analyze digital evidence $70,000
*Data from CyberSeek, CompTIA, and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024)

🧩Work-Based Learning Experiences

FutureReadyNYC Cybersecurity students complete at least 54 hours of WBL through:

  • Mentorships and guest speakers from the tech sector
  • Virtual and in-person internships
  • Cybersecurity competitions (e.g., CyberPatriot)
  • Real-world case studies and project-based learning
WBL Information - NYC DOE

📥How to Join

Students may join the Cybersecurity Pathway starting in 10th grade. To qualify, students must:

  • Pass Algebra 1 & English Regents with 70% or higher
  • Demonstrate interest in technology and cyber safety
  • Commit to the four-course sequence
  • Participate in WBL, college credit, and certification opportunities

Instructors

Joshua Cato

Teacher

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