Course Information

2026-2027 Academic Year

DRAFT CMS until August 14, 2026.

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CI35 PLTW Cybersecurity

Course Code	CI35
Course Title	PLTW Cybersecurity
Course Description	PLTW Cybersecurity introduces the tools and concepts of cybersecurity and encourages students to create solutions that allow people to share computing resources while protecting privacy. Nationally, computational resources are vulnerable and frequently attacked; in PLTW Cybersecurity, students solve problems by understanding and closing these vulnerabilities. This course raises students' knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior. It also aims to develop students' skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees who can effectively contribute to communities with a dependable cyberinfrastructure that moves and processes information safely. Strong communication skills are necessary and English language arts, mathematics, and science standards are reinforced.
Cluster Grouping	Connecting and Supporting Success
Career Cluster	Digital Technology and Computer Science (DTCS)
Course Lead Consultant	Brent Curran brent.curran@dpi.nc.gov
Course Status	Standard
Course Type	Adopted
POL (Proof of Learning)	Local
Credential as POL	N/A
Curriculum Date	Summer 2021
Hours of Instruction	135-150
Recommended Maximum Enrollment	25
Course Credit	1
Inherently Honors	No
Meets Computer Science (CS) Graduation Requirement	Yes
Math Option Credit	No
Prerequisites	None
Cluster Grouping(s)	Connecting and Supporting Success
Career Cluster(s)	Digital Technology and Computer Science (DTCS)
Pathway Level(s)	Network Administration (NEAD) - Supplemental Technical Network Security (NESE) - Supplemental Technical
Aligned Credential(s) or Certification(s)	N/A
CTSO(s) (Career and Technical Student Organization)	Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) SkillsUSA Technology Student Association (TSA)
SOC Code(s) (Standard Occupational Classification Code)	Computer and Information Systems Managers (11-3021) Computer Network Support Specialists (15-1231) Computer Systems Analysts (15-1211) Computer User Support Specialists (15-1232) Data Scientists (15-2051) Information Security Analysts (15-1212) Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists (13-1161)

Proof of Learning (POL) Specifications

CTE State Assessment: The post-assessment will be a 100-item multiple choice test administered through the NC Instructional Management System.
Credential: Please work with the specified vendor(s) to coordinate and schedule.
Performance-based Measurement (PBM): Please follow the PBM guidelines set forth in the Performance-based Measurement Guide for the specified course.

Recommended Maximum Enrollment
Indicates the recommended maximum number of students who should be enrolled in a course based on best educational practice.

Meets Computer Science (CS) Graduation Requirement

Yes: The course meets the Computer Science graduation requirement.
Yes*: The course can be offered in both middle and high school and meets the Computer Science graduation requirement.
No: The course does not meet the Computer Science graduation requirement.

Refer to the DPI website for more detailed Computer Science graduation requirement information.

Math Option Credit
Refer to the Math Options Charts on the DPI website for more detailed math options information.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO)
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) are an integral part of this curriculum.

CTSOs incorporate strategies used to teach course content, develop leadership, citizenship, responsibility, and proficiencies related to workplace needs.

Work-based Learning (WBL)
Work-based Learning (WBL) is an integral educational strategy within the North Carolina Career and Technical Education (CTE) system. It provides students with real-world work experiences, allowing them to apply academic and technical skills while developing crucial durable employability skills. These experiences occur at employer worksites, coordinated with school-based activities to illustrate the practical relevance of academic learning.

Work-based learning strategies, integral to all CTE career clusters in North Carolina, encompass the four phases of the Career Development Continuum: career awareness, exploration, preparation, and participation as noted in the image below. Learn more at Career Development and Work-based Learning | NC DPI.

WBL Courses with Academic Credit:

CTE Advanced Studies
CTE Cooperative Education
CTE Entrepreneurial Experience
CTE Internship
CTE Pre-apprenticeship
CTE Apprenticeship

WBL Activities without Academic Credit:

Guest speaker
Career fair
Job fair
Transition fair
Field trip (workplace tour)
Job shadowing
Workplace challenge/Industry-sponsored project