State alignment · Virginia
Blackbox CLC alignment to Virginia CTE Cybersecurity competencies.
This page maps the Blackbox CLC Cybersecurity I curriculum to Virginia's CTE Cybersecurity Systems Technology (8602) and Cybersecurity Software Operations (8624) competency frameworks, plus the EC-Council Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE) credential domains and the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles. Use this as the starting point for a Virginia program proposal, board adoption packet, or Perkins reporting.
Course alignment
Cyber I fits Virginia's 36-week one-credit Cybersecurity Systems Technology course (8602). Cyber II + AI Fluency extend it into a two-year sequence ending in EHE certification readiness.
Credential pathway
Virginia CTE recognizes EC-Council EHE as a high-value credential. Cyber I, Unit 10 is the explicit EHE preparation unit. CompTIA Security+ alignment continues through Cyber II.
Local angle, baked in
The Cyber I ethics unit cites Va. Code §18.2-152.3 directly (Virginia Computer Crimes Act) alongside the federal CFAA, so Virginia students see the law that actually governs them.
Module-level mapping
Cybersecurity I — unit alignment matrix
Each row maps one Blackbox CLC unit to the corresponding Virginia CTE Cybersecurity competency cluster, the EHE domain, and a NICE Framework work role.
| Blackbox CLC unit | Virginia CTE competencies (8602) | EHE domain | NICE work role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyber I, Unit 1: Orientation & Professional Ethics | Demonstrate ethical behavior; explain laws governing computer use (incl. Va. Code §18.2-152.3); identify acceptable use policies; describe career pathways. | Domain 1: Information Security Fundamentals | OV-LGA-001 (Cyber Legal Advisor) |
| Cyber I, Unit 2: Security Fundamentals | Define CIA triad; differentiate threat, vulnerability, and risk; apply least privilege and defense in depth. | Domain 1, Domain 2 | PR-CDA-001 (Cyber Defense Analyst) |
| Cyber I, Unit 3: Hardware, OS, Virtualization | Identify hardware and OS components; configure virtual machines for cybersecurity practice; demonstrate snapshot/rollback discipline. | Domain 2: Information Security Threats and Vulnerabilities | PR-INF-001 (Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support) |
| Cyber I, Unit 4: Networking Fundamentals | Explain TCP/IP, ports, protocols; analyze packet captures; interpret network diagrams. | Domain 3: Network Security Fundamentals | AN-TWA-001 (Threat/Warning Analyst) |
| Cyber I, Unit 5: Cyber Threats & Attack Vectors | Classify malware families; identify phishing indicators; describe social engineering techniques and threat actor profiles. | Domain 2 | AN-TWA-001, PR-CIR-001 |
| Cyber I, Unit 6: Cryptography & Data Protection | Differentiate symmetric/asymmetric crypto, hashing, signatures, and certificates; explain TLS at a defender's level. | Domain 5: Cryptography | SP-SYS-001 (Information Systems Security Developer) |
| Cyber I, Unit 7: Defensive Security Basics | Harden Windows and Linux endpoints; audit accounts; configure host-based firewalls. | Domain 4: Network Security Controls | PR-INF-001, PR-CDA-001 |
| Cyber I, Unit 8: Intro to Ethical Hacking | Apply the ethical hacking methodology under written authorization; perform reconnaissance, scanning, enumeration, and report findings. | Domain 6: Penetration Testing Fundamentals | AN-EXP-001 (Exploitation Analyst) |
| Cyber I, Unit 9: Web, Cloud, IoT Security | Describe HTTP/HTTPS internals, cloud shared responsibility, IoT security realities, and emerging AI security concerns. | Domain 7: Web Application & Cloud Security | PR-INF-001, AN-TWA-001 |
| Cyber I, Unit 10: Capstone & EHE Credential Prep | Assemble cyber portfolio; demonstrate readiness for EC-Council Ethical Hacking Essentials credential. | All EHE Domains (1-9) | OV-MGT-001 (Cyber Workforce Developer) |
Virginia CTE competency framework numbers reflect the Cybersecurity Systems Technology (8602) course as published by the Virginia Department of Education. Districts should confirm against the current adopted edition; we will issue a signed letter referencing the exact framework version on request.
For Virginia CTE specialists
Need this in a board adoption packet?
We'll send a signed PDF alignment letter referencing your school's adopted CTE framework version, the units we cover, and the credential outcomes. Typical turnaround: 5 business days.
Other states with active alignment letters available on request: Florida, Texas, Maryland, North Carolina. Don't see yours? Tell us.