Intro to Networking vs Network and Systems Security: which to take first

No: neither syllabus lists a prerequisite. Network and Systems Security reviews protocols such as TCP/IP and the OSI layers in its own chapters, but most of the course is about defense: cryptography, firewalls, access control and IDS/IPS. If networks are new to you, take Introduction to Networking first; it ends with chapters on network security, attacks and wireless security, which lead straight into it.

Introduction to Networking (Computer Science 196) explains how networks are built and how data moves: 15 chapters and 57 instructional hours. Network and Systems Security (Computer Science 252) explains how to protect them: 9 chapters and 57.5 instructional hours, with online lab lessons.

No. Both carry an NCCRS recommendation only: 3 semester hours each, in the lower division category. NCCRS lists Introduction to Networking under Computer Science, MIS, Informatics or Information Science, and Network and Systems Security under Cybersecurity or Information Technology. For a security course that ACE recommends as well, see Cybersecurity vs Network and Systems Security.

Introduction to Networking: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Computer Science among other subjects. Network and Systems Security: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Cybersecurity among other subjects.

Introduction to Networking: Computer Science, MIS, Informatics, or Information Science. Network and Systems Security: Cybersecurity or Information Technology. Your college decides which requirement each one fills.

Introduction to Networking: 15 chapters and 57 instructional hours. Network and Systems Security: 9 chapters and 57.5 instructional hours. Both are self-paced, so you finish as fast or as slow as you want.

The format is the same in both: a final of 100 multiple-choice questions.

Cybersecurity. In the “IT, networks and security” order on the Computer Science courses page, it follows Network and Systems Security. Your program may set its own order.

As soon as your dashboard shows Introduction to Networking at 100%. The last assignment takes about 48 hours to be checked, so leave about two days after you submit it, then request the transcript.

Yes, online: under light proctoring (no camera) if you already have 70% before it, otherwise under full proctoring. The quizzes and the assignment are open-book; the Introduction to Networking final is not.

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Search your school in Find My College and ask your registrar which courses Computer Science 196 and 252 would count as. For the registrar: Introduction to Networking's NCCRS recommendation lists Computer Science and Network and Systems Security's NCCRS recommendation lists Cybersecurity.