Cybersecurity Hands On Problem Solving (CHOPS)

Program details

AZNext addresses the increasing skills gap in the cyber workforce with an accessible, no-cost Cybersecurity Hands On Problem Solving (CHOPS) program. We're building a current and future cybersecurity talent pipeline with certified knowledge and demonstrated skills.

The CHOPS program is designed in collaboration with cybersecurity professionals. It consists of eight weeks of instructor-facilitated online instruction and a weekly three-hour in-person lab session led by industry experts at our ASU West campus on Saturdays. Participant effort, including the lab session, is estimated to be six to eight hours a week.

Who is this program for?

This information security training program is accessible to people with a high school diploma or GED who are interested in cybersecurity careers. Experience with a programming language, IT systems administration, or computer networks is ideal but not required. If you desire more experience in preparation for AZNext CHOPS, we recommend taking the AZNext Google IT Support Certificate.

Program participants must be:

• 17 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED
• An Arizona resident who is unemployed or underemployed looking to upskill and retrain

What will I learn?

Participants of the AZNext cybersecurity training program will undergo immersive cybersecurity simulation training sessions to improve learning retention and gain experience, providing them with a competitive edge in the job market.

Learning themes:

• Communicate effectively with security specialists and more broadly in an organization
• Prepare for and prioritize security operations activities
• Use, configure, and measure the effectiveness of endpoint protection solutions
• Explain the roles and activities of Security and DevOps teams
• Demonstrate skills learned through workshops and tabletop exercises

What careers can this program lead to?

Throughout the AZNext CHOPS program, participants contextualize what they're learning through relevant engagements with cybersecurity professionals and have the opportunity to network with company executives in the information security field.

Graduates of the program are skilled at planning, directing, and coordinating activities in electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming. You'll receive an AZNext Digital Certificate and career coaching to determine the next step in your cybersecurity career. In addition, successful participants may be eligible for placement services with our AZNext employer partners.

Cybersecurity is the fifth fastest-growing occupation, and CHOPS graduates are well-equipped to pursue careers as computer and information systems managers at security operations centers. The employment rate for this role is projected to grow 15 percent or higher, and the average salary for this role in Arizona is $79,840.