Arkansas

Hackers all over the globe are threatening US databases. This growing cyber threat must be addressed with a national team of cyber security professionals that are highly trained to thwart attacks from black hat hackers. Business and government are both eager to find security professionals that can design cyber security systems and implement safety protocols in their organizations. Thus, the pay rate for cyber security graduates is quite high. In response to this growing demand, Arkansas colleges and universities are expanding their cyber security courses and degree programs. Keep reading to discover more about cyber security programs in Arkansas.

Arkansas Cyber Security Education Degrees & Requirements

Associate’s Degree

More often than not there are few, if any, requirements for entry into a cyber security program in a community college. However, if you want to excel in your courses, it will be a good idea to enter the program with a strong working knowledge of a few programming languages, such as Python. At the associate level you are more likely to encounter courses such as networking, database management, and perhaps a few programming classes. For your electives, you should consider taking as many math courses as possible. To round out your education, courses in management or business may be helpful.

Bachelor’s Degree

At the baccalaureate level, courses become more rigorous and the bar to enter a cyber security program far higher than it is for an associate degree. Depending on your school, you might need to apply for entry to the Computer Science department in order to pursue cyber security. Your application should probably reflect courses such as Introduction to Programming, a course on algorithms, advanced mathematics, and possibly some evidence of achievement in computer science.

Master’s Degree

To gain entry to a master's program for cyber security, you will most likely need to show that you have a related undergraduate major. Some options include Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science. Since there are few cyber security bachelor degree programs, you should also show that you have experience working in cyber security. On the other hand, if you are seeking a career shift into security, your application could benefit from industry certificates or additional academic coursework. Seek out courses in programming, networking, and database management. There are also many security-specific courses from various departments. You can most easily boost your transcripts by taking online courses from highly respected departments nationwide.

Scholarships

• Scholarship for Service (SFS)

Amount: Tuition; Stipends ($25,000 for undergrads, $34,000 for grads), Educational Allowance up to $15,750, $6,000 Professional Allowance

Deadline: Not Provided

Link: https://ascent.uark.edu/sfs/

This fantastic scholarship program seeks to help build the strongest possible cyber security workforce for our nation's infrastructure. Recipients not only receive generous funds for tuition, but also a living stipend, and travel money, if needed. Winners must agree to work for the federal government for a period equal to the duration of their scholarship.

• (ISC)² Graduate Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 - $5,000

Deadline: February

Link: https://iamcybersafe.org/s/scholarships

Graduate students who are seeking degrees in cyber security are encouraged to apply for (ISC)²'s scholarship program. Information security students are also eligible, as (ISC)² is hoping to strengthen the entirety of the cyber security landscape. The scholarship program is made possible by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education. Applicants need to impress judges based on their relative passion, merit, and financial need.

• (ISC)² Undergraduate Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 - $5,000

Deadline: February

Link: https://iamcybersafe.org/s/scholarships

Undergraduate students who have a GPA between 3.3 and 4.0 are asked to apply to the Center for Cyber Safety and Education for their annual scholarship. The award is given for up to 20 students nationwide, including Arkansas. If you are seeking an Arkansas degree in cyber security or information assurance, this is the scholarship for you.

• KnowBe4 Women’s Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: November

Link: https://iamcybersafe.org/s/raytheon-womens-scholarship

Arkansas women are sorely underrepresented in STEM subjects, including cyber security. The Center for Cyber Safety and Education seeks to amend that by providing substantial rewards to young women who are interested in this growing, dynamic field. Students at all degree levels are eligible to apply but every recipient must be able to complete a paid internship at the KnowBe4 offices in Clearwater, FL.

• SAIC Cyberwarrior Scholarship (veterans)

Amount: Certification Exam Voucher for one of the following (ISC)² credentials: CISSP, CSSLP, CCSP, HCISPP, SSCP or CAP

Deadline: March 16

Link: https://iamcybersafe.org/s/cyberwarrior

Arkansas veterans who are seeking to join the growing world of cyber security are eligible to apply for this scholarship fund. The award will provide full exam fees for one of (ISC)²'s credentials. The award also includes the relevant textbook, study guide, and practice tests. Applications include a brief written section and must include a letter of recommendation.

Conferences and Workshops

Sophicity

This IT firm consults with city governments to help bolster their cyber security protocols. They provide cyber security workshops in Arkansas. Most recently they conducted a workshop in Bethel Heights. If you are interested in learning from a firm that helps bolster cybersecurity from the smallest town to the largest metropolis, seek out Sophicity's next workshop near you.

Future Compute

MIT Technology Review is hosting this conference that covers a range of computing issues. The conference's speakers address topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Edge Computing, Cyber Security, IoT and 5G, as well as Next-gen interfaces. The focus is on the near-term and the technologies that are most likely to disrupt the business landscape.

RSA Conference

This conference is one of the world's top cyber security conferences. Events are held in the USA, Australia, and Japan. In 2020, the event is in San Francisco and will cover security issues with tutorials, product demonstrations, keynote speakers, and top networking opportunities.

Going after a higher-level program, such as a Master's level, in cyber protection will certainly have various demands for admission. Holding a bachelor's degree, usually a Bachelor's level, with a progressing 3.0 Grade Point Average goes to least advised. Greater ratings are specifically practical in the later years of the program. Prior coursework needs to be finished in several levels of calculus as well as also computer system programs.

There are constant opportunities used within the cyber protection area, including threat managers, designers, as well as likewise specialists. A modern-day innovation threat supervisor at the business will certainly have the capacity to establish any concerns through danger evaluation and also will absolutely apply new developments as well as additional developments for safety and security efforts to be much more streamlined as well as reliable. Those seeking this sort of positioning will definitely call for accreditation as an auditor, a Bachelor's level in a relevant area, and have at the very least three years of experience in infotech.

Individuals seeking employment at Arkansas Center for Information Sciences are considered despite race, shade, belief, nationwide beginning, age, sex, marriage condition, origins, physical or mental handicap, expert condition, sex identification, or sexual orientation. You are being offered the possibility to provide the adhering to details in order to assist us comply with federal government as well as state Equal Job Opportunity/Affirmative Task record keeping, reporting, as well as likewise other lawful requirements.

Military, ground, marine, or air remedy. An "active service war time or project badge specialist" shows a professional that offered on active service in the UNITED STATE military, ground, marine or air remedy throughout a war, or in a campaign or exploration for which a job badge has in fact been authorized under the regulations supplied by the Division of Security.

Cyber Security Degrees and Jobs in Arkansas will prepare you for a career where you can help to protect the network of businesses, homes, or organizations from cyber threats and attacks. The threat of cyber attacks on information technology systems are increasing day by day with the number of people that are involved in the Internet and computer world.

Security professionals have a very important role to play in the protection of a company's data and information system. As a security professional, your main job is to detect and prevent hackers from accessing a network or computer that stores important information or is linked with other computers. Most security specialists who are involved in securing networks in companies have a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or computer security.

There are a number of jobs available in the field as a security specialist, however some security specialists work as consultants. A consultant can be a highly qualified individual that works independently to help protect corporations from the potential risks associated with the use of their information technology systems. Most security specialists are hired by corporations and companies to do research on the computer networks and systems and then develop the plans and procedures needed to defend the networks. A consultant may also be required to develop a system to monitor and detect any changes to the networks and systems that could be used as a means to compromise the system.

In many cases, when a security specialist is hired, he or she will work exclusively with computer programmers and developers. This person is responsible for writing the code that will protect the system from hackers and other individuals that would like access to the system. The programmer or developer will often have access to the source code that is necessary to run the system. They will use this code to prevent intruders and other individuals that would like to cause harm to the system from gaining access to the computer.

Arkansas Cyber Security Jobs and Salary

The salary and employment outlook for Arkansas computer science and information technology professionals is bright. On the national front, information security analysts earn a median salary of $98,000 and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the profession will expand by 32% from 2018 to 2028. In Arkansas, the mean wage for this profession is approximately $81,000 and there are currently 890 professionals in the field. Other positions such as Computer Systems Analysts, Computer Programmers, and Network Administrators are also slated for significant growth in the near future.

Computer systems analysts in Arkansas are currently earning a mean wage of approximately $71,990 and fill 3,500 jobs in the state. Nationally, the profession showed a median salary of $88,740 in 2018 and is expected to grow by 9% through 2028. The BLS states the typical entry-level degree for this job is a bachelor's.

Computer programmers, on the other hand, are seeing that their profession is in a period of slight recession. Though many might have adopted other job descriptions, such as Software Developer, the BLS projects a 7% decline in the number of programmers nationwide. Meanwhile, Arkansas programmers are earning an annual mean wage of $71,000 and fill 1,900 jobs in the state's economy.

Network and computer systems administrators, on the other hand, are seeing their field grow at a steady, average rate. The BLS projects that this profession will grow by 5% through 2028. The agency also shows that the national mean salary for these professionals was $82,000 in 2018. In Arkansas, these professionals earn a mean salary of $65,000 and fill 2,000 jobs in the state.

In reviewing this jobs and salary information, please keep in mind that the national averages include salaries for professionals in places like Silicon Valley and New York City, where the cost of living is far greater than anywhere in Arkansas. Make sure you keep this in perspective.

Resources

• Linux Academy

For students who are eager to get a jump start on their careers, or professionals who need to brush up on new skills, Linux Academy offers low-cost courses in a wide range of technological topics. This online resource offers specific certificate programs that include cyber security issues. Their online courses can prepare students for professional certifications including CompTIA, Red Hat Linux, and Microsoft Azure Security Technologies.

• Arkansas Division of Information Systems

For everyday computer users, cyber security can seem like an esoteric field. However, everyone needs to pay attention to their relative exposure to hackers and other ne'er do wells. Thus, this Arkansas governmental agency has aggregated a long list of resources to educate the public on issues such as password security, reporting cyber-crime, online gaming, malware, and lots more.

• Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (CISSE)

Though this colloquium will take place in Baltimore, MD, cyber security academics from Arkansas are more than welcome to attend. Though focused more on academia, the colloquium includes members from government and industry, too. The history of cyber security is often written in groups such as this.

• Information Systems Security Association – Arkansas Chapter

ISSA is one of the top professional associations in cyber security. Their Arkansas chapter can help you find the cyber security resources you need to advance your learning in the field, network with likeminded professionals, and advocate for computer security in the legislature. Through your membership in ISSA, you'll find job opportunities, professional friendships, and leadership potential, too.