MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Critical Infrastructure Protection

Course: CIS143

First Term: 2026 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: History and overview of critical infrastructure protection and its ties within the Department of Homeland Security prior to and after September 11, 2001. Focus on risk management associated with sectors specific industries and provides an overview of the public and private partnerships, along with laws and standards developed to protect critical infrastructures.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Discuss critical infrastructure, its protection concerns, and its relationship to cybersecurity components. (I) 2. Assess risk management strategies and its role in for identifying and mitigating threats and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure systems. (II) 3. Explain the organization of the Department of Homeland Security and its role in critical infrastructure protection oversight of information systems security. (III) 4. Compare and contrast the roles between public and private partnerships in managing and protecting critical infrastructure systems. (IV) 5. Discuss the past and current laws, regulations and standards used in protecting critical infrastructure systems. (V) 6. Explain the sector-specific critical infrastructure systems, their oversight organizations, and their cybersecurity concerns. (VI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Critical infrastructure A. Definition B. Protection concerns C. Cybersecurity specific concerns II. Risk management A. Identification B. Threats and hazards C. Measurement and assessment D. Mitigation III. Department of Homeland Security A. Background B. Purpose, oversight, and implementation C. Organization D. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) E. Partnering agencies IV. Public/private partnerships A. Public versus private sectors B. Roles and responsibilities C. Information sharing V. Laws, regulations, and standards VI. Sector-specific overview A. Chemical B. Commercial facilities C. Communications D. Critical manufacturing E. Dams F. Defense industrial base G. Emergency services H. Energy I. Financial services J. Food and agriculture K. Government facilities L. Healthcare and public health M. Information technology N. Nuclear reactors, materials, and waste O. Transportation systems P. Water and wastewater systems

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: May 27, 2025

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.