Most individuals interested in pursuing a computer-related occupation choose between earning a degree in either cyber security or computer science. While both program types can result in a very rewarding information technology career, there are a few important distinctions you should be aware of before enrolling in a program.
Most cyber security degrees prepare students for employment specifically related to information security, while the majority of computer science degrees focus on developing the communication, math, and logic skills necessary to succeed in other computer-related careers. Cyber security graduates typically find work as information security analysts, information technology auditors, network architects, and information technology consultants. Computer science graduates are frequently employed as software developers, system analysts, web designers, data scientists, and network systems administrators.
Because a computer science degree often covers broad topics within the computing field, some professionals encourage prospective students to complete it first. By doing this, students can gain extensive experience in computer and information research, which is valuable in any information technology position they may apply for in the future. In this way, a degree in computer science functions as a solid foundation for further study and work in cyber security. It is important to realize, however, that earning a computer science degree is not required to enroll in a cyber security program. Doing so may increase the amount of education needed before joining the workforce and will likely result in greater student loan debt.
The two degrees are separate, unique, and not dependent upon one another. Those interested in information technology have to determine for themselves which degree best suits their career goals.
Individuals interested in a cyber security or computer science career must choose between earning an associate, undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree. The majority of employers in this field require candidates to have an undergraduate degree. While you’ll be able to find entry-level employment with this degree, preference for management or any higher position is usually given to those with advanced degrees.
Additionally, some colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. These can be completed in less time than traditional degrees, often requiring no more than a year of classes. To streamline the curriculum, certificate programs exclude general education coursework. Most undergraduate certificate programs are designed to provide a basic introduction to the field or prepare students to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The majority of graduate certificate programs provide current professionals an opportunity to increase their knowledge, become more marketable in the field, or prepare to pursue a master’s degree.
Specific degree offerings and curriculum vary from institution to institution. You will need to review both the program requirements and coursework before determining which one is right for you. Common cyber security titles names include:
Cyber Security
Information Assurance
Information Security
Information Systems Security
Cyber Operations
Computer Forensics and Digital Investigations
There are also several computer science degrees available. Common names include:
Computer Science
Information Technology
Technology in Computer Science and Engineering
Engineering for Computer Science
When looking for a cyber security degree program, it’s important to keep the institution’s accreditation status in mind. While colleges and universities are not required to become accredited nor have individual programs accredited, most reputable schools choose to go through this process with the appropriate organization or agency. Accredited institutions and programs must adhere to various academic and field standards, which serves to reassure students, employers, and the general public that the education provided adequately prepares graduates for success. Accreditation status says a lot about the overall value of the degree offered.
There are no international or national accreditation agencies for cyber security and computer science degree programs. Prospective students should, however, look for colleges and universities that are regionally accredited. Regionally accredited schools are able to prove that they meet general academic expectations and standards for a particular region of the United States.
There are six regional accreditation organizations:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of
Traditional vs. Online vs. Hybrid
Many prospective cyber security professionals choose to pursue their degrees by enrolling at a traditional, four-year, undergraduate college or university. Traditionally students must attend classes on campus and, in many cases, live in school dormitories or find nearby housing.Attending classes on campus is not, however, always an option. Depending on your unique circumstances, you may be unable to earn a degree in the traditional way. A common alternative offered by many institutions are online programs. These are ideal for individuals who are already employed full- or part-time and/or have personal responsibilities that keep them close to home. Distance learning allows for flexible course scheduling and can make a degree in cyber security more easily attainable. There is rarely a difference in program length or course availability.
It is important to realize, though, that online degree programs are not perfect. One major drawback is that students are unable to network with other individuals in the field. This limits their development of personal contacts, which can be instrumental in finding employment. Additionally, some students retain information better when instructed in person.
In an attempt to minimize these drawbacks, some colleges and universities now offer hybrid cyber security degrees. Hybrid programs are designed to bridge the gap between on-campus and online learning by requiring students to participate in short, periodic residencies. While the majority of coursework can be completed from anywhere, students will occasionally need to travel and stay on campus to complete certain expectations. This type of program does allow students to interact with professors and peers in person, though not daily.
There are several factors you must keep in mind when choosing a cyber security degree program. Every institution is different, so careful research is necessary to ensure you will be adequately prepared for your desired career. Pay close attention to the following elements before making your final selection.Accreditation
As previously mentioned, an institution’s accreditation status is extremely important. Choosing to attend a college or university without proper accreditation can have significant consequences. You may have difficulty transferring credits and/or enrolling at another school. It may also negatively impact your income potential and hirability. Some employers pay employees less when they have degrees from unaccredited institutions, while others refuse to consider them as candidates for open positions at all. You also cannot receive any federal funding or assistance in paying for college if the school you attend is unaccredited.
Always verify a school’s accreditation before submitting your application materials. Most colleges and universities have this information prominently displayed on their websites. If you do have trouble locating it, contact the admissions department directly.
Available Degrees
While most institutions offer some variant of a cyber security or computer science degree, not all of them do. Confirm that the college or university you are interested in has your intended degree early in your search. A list of degree programs should be easily found on the school’s website.
Available Specializations
Many colleges and universities offer students an opportunity to customize their degree to meet their professional goals and personal interests. For example, some computer science degree programs allow those enrolled to specialize in cyber security. Specialization is not required, nor is it always available, but it can make finding employment and advancing much easier. If a school offers specializations, they can be found with the program of study information online.
Graduation Rates
An institution’s graduate rate refers to the number of students who complete their degree within a reasonable time frame. Some institutions have higher graduation rates than others, possibly due to course difficulty and/or retention problems. This data is often available on school websites. Be sure to review it thoroughly before enrolling, as it can help you project your own graduation time frame. If a college or university has a particularly low graduation rate, take time to research why.
Retention
Retention statistics are also important. There are many reasons that a school’s retention can be low: students may not receive the academic support they need, faculty and staff may be difficult to get along with, available services may be limited, campus life may not be appealing, and/or the cost of attendance may be too much. While it can be difficult to determine the ultimate cause of low retention rates, this data can warn of potential trouble.
Online Coursework
Some cyber security programs offer or require online coursework. Depending on your academic preferences and current circumstances, taking classes online may or may not be optimal. You can often verify course offerings and online availability, as well as instruction method(s).
Professor Experience
Another factor that warrants serious consideration is the level of experience obtained by an institution’s professors. Some colleges and universities are known for employing highly-experienced instructors, whereas others employ individuals who only recently graduated themselves. You can usually find professor biographies online, which can provide some insight regarding their experience. Professionals who are published authors or have conducted official research will have more in-depth knowledge of the field.
Campus Environment
If you plan to attend classes traditionally, a school’s campus environment is also important. The best way to determine whether or not a college or university has a campus life that suits your preferences is to visit it in person. Most admission departments offer tours, during which you can see the campus in person, ask questions about extracurricular activities, and even speak with current students.
Student Services
While every institution is different, most offer a wide variety of student services. From academic tutoring to career preparation, colleges and universities usually provide much more than just a curriculum. Find out what resources are available to enrolled students by exploring the school’s website or speaking with an admissions counselor.
Degree Levels & Curriculum Outline
Those interested in a career in cyber security will need some level of formal education. While most employers require candidates to have an undergraduate degree, certificates, associate, graduate, and doctoral degrees are also available. Your ultimate career goals will determine which option is best for you.
Certificates
Some colleges and universities offer cyber security certificate programs in addition to regular degrees. These are designed to be completed by students in less time than an associate or bachelor’s degree program. In fact, some consist of only 12 credit hours of coursework and most students can graduate in a single year.
Undergraduate certificate programs exclude general education coursework from the curriculum and, instead, focus coursework on core subjects necessary for success in the field. Graduates may be able to find entry-level work, but more commonly enroll in a bachelor degree program later.
Graduate certificate programs are a little different. While they consist of approximately the same number of credit hours and can be completed within a single year, they are more varied. Undergraduate certificate programs provide a general introduction to cyber security, but the graduate programs are usually specifically designed for current professionals interested in delving deeper. This is a good option for individuals interested in earning a master’s degree in the future.
Undergraduate certificate seekers must be able to provide a school diploma or equivalent. Those enrolling in a graduate certificate program will need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a background in computer science or information technology.
Program Length:
Typically, 12 to 18 credit hours of coursework
Sample Courses:
Career Options:
An associate degree in cyber security provides a foundational introduction to the field. This type of program is designed to prepare graduates for further education or for entry-level positions. It is important to realize, however, that most employers expect job candidates to have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. While it may be possible to find employment with nothing but an associate degree, you will be competing for the same work against many people who have a higher level of education. This can make finding a position difficult and may result in lower pay.
One benefit of earning an associate degree in cyber security is that it takes less time to complete than an undergraduate degree does. In most cases, programs consist of approximately 60 credit hours of coursework, which full-time students can complete in as little as two years.
Additionally, as long as the institution is regionally accredited, graduates can transfer credits to a four-year undergraduate college or university. These credits can be applied to a bachelor’s degree program and will likely decrease the necessary enrollment time frame by about two years.
Associate degree seekers must be able to provide a school diploma or equivalent. Some schools may require a minimum high school grade point average.
Program Length:
Network Systems and Security
Security Administration
Digital Forensics
Cyber Law
Web Developer
Information Technology Technician
Network administrator
Approximately two years for full-time students
Sample Courses:
Career Options:
While an associate degree in cyber security may be enough to qualify candidates for some entry-level positions in the field, most professionals choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree. This type of program gives students an opportunity to explore information technology in greater depth while also providing a well-rounded liberal arts education. Graduates may also be able to specialize in a particular sub-field, depending on the courses offered by the institution.
Bachelor degrees usually consist of 120 credit hours of coursework and take full-time students approximately four years to complete. It is possible to shorten this time frame, however, if you have transfer credits from advanced placement classes in high school or community college credit. Those who already have an associate degree from an accredited institution may be able to complete the remaining requirements in as few as two years. Graduates can either continue their education or find employment.
Bachelor degree seekers must be able to provide a school diploma or equivalent. Some schools may also require a minimum high school grade point average. Additional requirements include SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Program Length:
Introduction to Computer Forensics and Cyber Crime
Introduction to Networking
Database Security
CompTIA Security
Computer Support Specialist
Computer Programmer
Database Administrator
Approximately four years for full-time students
Sample Courses:
Fundamentals of Networking
Installing and Configuring Windows Server
Ethical Hacking
Information Systems
Cyber Security Analyst
Information Security Analyst
Computer Forensic Analyst
A master’s degree is not required to have a career in cyber security but earning one can be extremely beneficial. This level of education often results in more employment opportunities and makes candidates significantly more competitive in the job market. Graduates often earn higher salaries, are promote faster, and have more job security.
Most cyber security master’s degree programs consist of 30 to 60 credit hours of coursework and can be completed by full-time students in about two years. Transfer credits from a graduate certificate program can also shorten this time frame. The topics covered are more specific within the field and are often intended to prepare graduate for more administrative positions. Graduates may also consider continuing their education further by applying for and enrolling in a doctoral program.
Master degree seekers must have a bachelor’s degre
e in cyber security or a related field and, in most cases, a minimum grade point average for major courses. Additional requirements include GRE scores, letters of recommendation, years of experience, and a personal statement.
Program Length:
Approximately two years for full-time students
Sample Courses:
Career Options:
A doctoral degree in cyber security can help professionals attain the research, analytical, and advocacy skills necessary to be an active leader in the information technology field. While few jobs specifically require a doctoral degree, having one can be extremely beneficial. Not only do graduates have more employment opportunities, but they often quality for advanced positions, earn more promotions, and make more money.
The coursework associated with a doctoral degree in cyber security is often rigorous and research-based. Students are given the opportunity to focus on a particular area of interest, such as embedded systems, cyberinfrastructure, or human-centered computing. Graduates can expect to find employment in highly technical positions or as educators.
These programs usually consist of about 60 credit hours of graduate-level coursework and take between two and three years to complete. After finishing the necessary classes and passing any qualifying exams, students are expected to pursue independent research and prepare a detailed, scientific account report, otherwise known as a dissertation. This process often takes three to five additional years.
Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Analysis
Applied Cryptography
Digital Forensics
Information Security Strategy and Policy
Security-Application Programmer
Penetration Tester
Vulnerability Analyst
Doctoral degree seekers must have a bachelor’s degree in cyber security or a related field and, in most cases, a minimum grade point average for major courses. Additional requirements include GRE scores, letters of recommendation, years of experience, research work, publications, and a personal statement.
Program Length:
Approximately five to eight years with a dissertation requirement
Sample Courses:
Career Options:
Corporate Researcher
Policy Advisor
University Professor
Below are some concerns to ask when investigating Cyber Security programs: Am I eligible for this program? Due to the extremely detailed nature of the cybersecurity field, lots of master's-degree programs call for trainees to have a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or another computer-related field. They might also need trainees to have professional experience. Make sure to evaluate the program's, Does this program have the field of expertise I desire? Within cyber security programs at the bachelors and masters levels, some programs provide focus in areas like energy systems, cybersecurity plan, and also forensics.
If you intend to concentrate on a specific area, check to see if the program uses that option.Once you've located the programs that interest you, research their application procedures and admission requirements. This information is normally available on the program's web page; you can likewise get in touch with the program directly if you have questions.Financing your education and learning is one more important factor to consider.
This National Protection Company (NSA)-funded give job awarded to professors Filipo Sharevski as well as Jean-Philippe Labruyere is a scalable as well as lightweight experiential variety for learning cybersecurity with gamification that will certainly be offered for universities that desire to inform as well as prepare cybersecurity graduates to fill Federal Government cybersecurity placements. The CORE platform includes an innovative technique to experiential cybersecurity learning: informing students in cybersecurity in a game-like discovering environment with a concentrate on real-time reconnaissance, strike, defense, and also live forensics difficulties. It will certainly be devoted and also evaluated with CDM students.
During the capstone seminar, students work for 10 weeks to bring every little thing they have actually discovered in the program, with finishing the threat evaluation; susceptibility as well as danger evaluation; protection facilities demands; rational, physical, and also management style; prices; and also application planning for a practical vital facilities case study. Students leave the program all set for the corporate globe as well as with a great work product to show possible employers.
Why are Cyber security Programs very important? The response is straightforward; it shields you from the unknown as well as, ultimately, the unknown can be ruining. You remain in a consistent state of adjustment as well as, therefore, you have to secure on your own versus the constant pace of modification. A premium quality and structured Cyber Security Program are the very best means to do this.
Having a good Cyber Security Training Program is one method of securing your business from the dangers that can come your way. There are numerous courses that can be done in the house, or in the workplace and also, whether you are a newbie or professional, a well intended course will help you learn.
An online, regular, or offline Cyber Security Course will certainly provide the security training needed to allow you to efficiently shield your company. A high level of education is vital to get the complete advantage of such a program.
The reason that Cyber Security Programs are essential is that the on the internet tool offers both participants alone the possibility to get the cyber security training needed to stay ahead of the game. It also enables each person to reach their discovering goals without the worry of a teacher being so far ahead of time that students have no time to examine.
There are extremely few situations that impact an organization in such a terrific majority that they need the exact same quantity of security as others. They may have a few minor issues, but typically speaking they are not vital adequate to call for a cyber security program.
For instance, your organisation could not need Cyber Security System Audit Program (CSSP) to protect versus virtual criminal offenses that entail your pay-roll. You may, nonetheless, be subjected to cyber attacks from individuals that wish to get details on a details worker that can be utilized to take their identification.
If you are running an Internet based company you are already knowledgeable about the threats of being exposed to Cyber Criminal offense and also you recognize what Cyber Security Programs are necessary. Your net business might be a little extra complicated, yet you can certainly rely on Cyber Security Programs to protect you from an attack from any type of resource.
The danger of coming to be a target of a strike in your organisation is something you will certainly quickly understand as well as you will need to do something about it to safeguard your IT Facilities. In a big corporation such as IBM or Microsoft, your organisation is also part of the corporate facilities as well as you recognize what is needed to be done to safeguard the system to prevent a cyber strike.
Full Scope Security Testing
Advanced Malware Analysis
Theory of Computation
Advanced Algorithms
A high quality training program should enable you to take the steps called for to prevent an effective cyber strike. There are a number of dangers of staying in business online, but there is just one high degree risk of being exposed in an unsecure atmosphere, and that is the possibility of a successful cyber strike.
Knowing why Cyber Security Programs is necessary as well as how it can assist you stay successful is a need to in today's company environment. A program that can not only secure you from the hazards of a cyber strike, but that can likewise aid you to take the actions necessary to take your service also further right into the online globe is vital to all those that operate because of industry.
As you can see, the response to the inquiry why Cyber Security Programs is necessary are clear. It is your personal security that is of extremely important significance and, if you do not take preventative measures now, then you may have to deal with a complete rebuild of your organisation.
