Student Activities
In NET 289, Networking Project, students complete a semester long hands-on project from the design phase through implementation. As part of the project students create a peer-to-peer network, a client-server-based network (with both physical and virtual machines), and create plans for intrusion detection. Through the environment progression, VLANs, VPNs, and Cloud services are added. Additional catalog information for the NET 289 course can be found in the Networking & Cyber Defense Program of Study.
Students may also join the National Cyber League (NCL). The NCL provides a virtual, hands-on training ground for both individual students and teams—of all skill levels and means—to develop and validate their cybersecurity knowledge and practical skills.
An additional competition in which students may participate is the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC). CCDC events are designed to build a meaningful mechanism by which institutions of higher education may evaluate their programs, and provide an educational venue in which students are able to apply the theory and practical skills they have learned in their course work.
Women in the program may participate in the Wicked6 Cyber Games. Wicked6 is a fundraising event for the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC). WSC’s mission is to advance women in cybersecurity careers by providing programs and partnerships that promote hands-on training, networking, education, mentoring, resource-sharing, and other professional opportunities.
Previous Events/Activities
March 2023: The Advanced Routing & Switching class took a field trip to AvidXchange in Charlotte. AvidXchange combines three critical business processes in one platform, offering a complete solution for AP automation, payment services and invoice acceleration. They provide an automation software package and payment solution for middle market businesses and their suppliers.
November 2022: Gaston College Technology Students participated in the Information Security in an Interconnect World Community College Symposium sponsored by UNC World view. These students, Mackenzie Bassett and Taylor Hughes, represented Gaston College in a Cybersecurity panel discussion.
