BCC Offers Networking and Cybersecurity Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College is continuing to offer its Networking & Cybersecurity program for students interested in entering the workforce as a network technician and/or as a tier 1 cybersecurity analyst in a Security Operations Center (SOC). 

Students can also elect to transfer to a college or university to further their skills in computer Info Systems (CIS) to become a tier 2 or 3 security analyst or network engineer. On average, entry level analysts start out making about $62,000 a year.

"Anyone who has watched the news in the past couple of years knows why cybersecurity has become so important and the need for cybersecurity analysts is growing," John Osthoff, professor of Computer Information Systems/CCNA Certification at the college, said. “Businesses need security in their IT department. Small business do not have a huge IT staff so they are looking for employees that can do a bit of everything."

Students that complete the Networking & Cybersecurity program will gain experience in IT skills, programming, networking and cybersecurity analysis and mitigation. The curriculum focuses on the concepts of the Cisco Certified Network (CCNA) and the Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate certifications along with other CIS supporting skills.

"We heard from local companies and they want IT personnel that are experienced in networking, but also in cybersecurity. We heard this and modified our program to allow students to get experience (and certification) in both areas," Osthoff said.

For more information about the new certificate programs offered at the college, visit the website.


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Pittsfield Subcommittee Supports Election Pay, Veterans Parking, Wetland Ordinances

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.

Workers will have a $5 bump in hourly pay for municipal, state and federal elections, rising from $10 an hour to $15 for inspectors, $11 to $16 for clerks, and $12 to $17 for wardens.

"This has not been increased in well over a decade," City Clerk Michele Benjamin told the subcommittee, saying the rate has been the same throughout the past 14 years she has been in the office.

She originally proposed raises to $13, $14 and $15 per hour, respectively, but after researching other communities, landed on the numbers that she believes the workers "wholeheartedly deserve."

Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso agreed.

"I see over decades some of the same people and obviously they're not doing it for the money," she said. "So I appreciate you looking at this and saying this is important even though I still think it's a low wage but at least it's making some adjustments."

The city has 14 wardens, 14 clerks, and 56 inspectors. This will add about $3,500 to the departmental budget for the local election and about $5,900 for state elections because they start an hour earlier and sometimes take more time because of absentee ballots.

Workers are estimated to work 13 hours for local elections and 14 hours for state and federal elections.

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