District of Columbia

D.C. Cyber Security Education Degrees & Requirements

Associate’s Degree

A two-year associate degree is a fantastic place to start a career in cyber security. Community colleges cost less than universities and you are sure to have smaller class sizes. There are even community colleges that are accredited by the CAE, a project of the NSA and Homeland Security that accredits fantastic cyber security programs. If your local community college lacks a computer security degree, you can surely find one online. In fact, you can find far more options online, not to mention the convenience that format offers.

Bachelor’s Degree

If you want to launch your career on the strongest footing, a bachelor's degree is the way to go. When you take a full four years to study, you will finish with a more well-rounded education that covers not only your major field but will strengthen your soft skills as well. Since cyber security is still a growing field, academia is catching up to meet the incredible demand. Thus, you might need to augment your university studies with online courses. You could even get started in an IT department and then complete your bachelor's degree online while learning on the job.

Master’s Degree

Most top professionals these days have a master's degree. You can go directly from your bachelor's degree into a graduate program, or you could wait a few years. If you wait you will probably have a better idea of exactly what degree you want. Your work experience could steer you in the direction of information security, computer forensics, or many other options. You could also decide to pursue an MBA with a cyber security concentration or a dual degree so you can earn an MBA and a high-tech degree in the time it takes to earn one master's degree. An MBA will help you climb the ladder into the c-suites.

Certifications in Washington D.C.

Depending on your specific work environment you will likely need a certification of some sort. You could become certified by a specific company, such as Cisco, and then become an expert on their systems. On the other hand, you could learn how to implement cyber security software and other protocols on Linux servers and networks. There are a wide range of certifications available that will bolster your credentials and send your career to the next level. Many of them are available online. You can also consider an online certificate from an academic institution that will give you college credits that you can apply later to your next degree.

Why is Accreditation Important?

Accreditation is a vital part of choosing a degree program. When an independent agency audits an academic institution or a degree program, they examine all aspects of that educational system. They look at student outcomes, curriculum, faculty preparedness, and more. The resulting accreditation indicates that the program provides a quality education to its students.

Seek out cyber security programs that have national or regional credentials. For national credentials, you should certainly look at programs approved as Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE). CAE is a project of the National Security Agency and is thus something of a gold standard for cyber security. Any employer will feel confident in your abilities if you have a degree from a CAE-approved institution.

Other stellar credentials come from ABET, and regional accreditation is also highly valued. As you seek out a program, always check on their accreditation. Accreditation can also make a difference when submitting receipts to your employer's tuition reimbursement program or looking to receive financial aid.

Scholarships:

CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service (SFS)

Amount: $25,000 (undergraduate); $34,000 (graduate)

Deadline: July 31

Link: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504991&org=NSF

This program is more than mere money for school. You'll work with a cohort of other budding cyber security professionals on projects that will train you to achieve excellence in the field. After graduation, you must work as a cyber security professional in the federal government. Your tenure in that job must equal the time of your scholarship. Thus, a three year scholarship would necessitate three years of paid government service.

(ISC)² Undergraduate Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 - $5,000

Deadline: February 17

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

This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who are currently pursuing a degree that focuses on cyber security or information assurance. Your application must include an essay that details your financial need, your desire to join the field, why you stand out from your peers, and your contributions to the field.

(ISC)² Graduate Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 - $5,000 (20 Awards)

Deadline: February 17

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

If your graduate work is focused on cyber security, you're encouraged to apply for this scholarship. The funds will disburse directly to your school to offset your tuition and fees. Your application should include a letter of recommendation, an essay, and your CV, among other items. The Center for Cyber Safety and Education awards up to 20 of these scholarships each year.

KNOWBE4 WOMEN’S CYBERSECURITY SCHOLARSHIPS

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: November 25

Link: https://www.iamcybersafe.org/s/knowbe4-womens-cyber-scholarships-

The nation is in need of a strong and diverse cybersecurity workforce. Thus, the Center for Cyber Security and Education is promoting women in the field with this scholarship. The $10,000 award can be used towards tuition, books, and course fees only, and the disbursement will go directly to your school. Winners will be selected based on how they rate related to their passion, merit, and financial need.

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

The Center for Cyber Security and Education is offering veterans the opportunity to land a scholarship that covers the cost of a certification exam. If you win, you can have the exam fees waived for one of the following (ISC)² certifications: CISSP, CSSLP, CCSP, HCISPP, SSCP or CAP. If you've worked in cyber security during your time in the military, this is an excellent opportunity to bolster your credentials and get to work in the civilian sector.

Conferences and Workshops:

Cyber Week

2019 marked the third consecutive year for Cyberweek in DC. The conference models itself on indie-rock's South by Southwest (SXSW) conference in Texas. Thus, the conference isn't confined to a single hotel or convention center but is spread throughout the city. Since the conference spans a full week, you'll have plenty of time to cultivate new relationships and explore cyber security more fully than ever before.

Cybersecurity Summit – DC Metro

This summit has been an annual event in the DC Metro area for over six years and running. Previous speakers have included David Cass from IBM, Curtis Dukes from the Center for Internet Security, and Adam Hickey from the Department of Justice. Discussions range from insider threats to incident response. Thus, you are sure to learn a lot when the Summit comes back.

Data Connectors – Cybersecurity Conference

Data Connectors hosts cyber security conferences all over the nation. You can attend a day-long conference that will inform and enlighten. There will be a CISO panel and you can review new service providers and technologies. The keynote speaker is also sure to provide a stimulating address on the state of cyber security today.

SchmooCon

This oddly-named hacker convention offers an affordable, accessible, and entertaining approach to cyber security conferences. The three-day conference is held at DC's Washington Hilton, mere blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro Station. This conference promises to be as entertaining as it is informative.

Intend to work securing the United State from cyber attacks simply a number of blocks from the White House? Beginning by earning a postgraduate degree in cyber defense in Washington D.C. You can leap to our listing of institutions with programs. Or take the extended beautiful excursion, which consists of a check out online programs, scholarships, security and also security areas along with seminars, as well as job chances.

Nonetheless essentials can still uncover strong bachelor's programs and also focus in cyber security at George Washington University and also Howard University, both of which made the cut on a 2014 HP-funded research study of the finest colleges for cyber safety as well as protection. Below is a quick study of what jumps on deal in the Area of Columbia: Georgetown College and additionally George Washington University have the difference of being National Centers of Academic High Quality in Cyber Protection Study, a designation provided by the National Safety Firm in addition to the Division of Homeland Protection.

Actually, both colleges obtained National Scientific research study Structure to utilize trainees complete scholarships via the CyberCorps program. If you're headed to George Washington, you might look into alongside two participants of the National Cyber Safety Popularity. Study Research Researcher at the Cyber Protection & Personal Privacy Research Institute (CSPRI).

Technology area prolongs as for the City does, with people collecting from north Virginia as well as also country Maryland to satisfy peers in the nation's funding, as well as additionally the other way around. You can take a look at concerning numerous of the areas outside the 4 quadrants by taking a look at our review to cyber safety and security and safety and security programs in Virginia and/or Maryland, that include recaps of local Meetups such as the substantial D.C

. That does not even include all the celebrations that cycle via the country's sources (e.g., the International Cryptographic Module Workshop 2017), which is equally as preferred a location as Las Vegas or New York. Below are 5 more events that kept returning to Washington: B-Sides DC: The principles behind Defense B-Sides occasions are to raise the discussion concerning safety, make them available, as well as urge individuals to join.

For a heads-up on tasks at the National Defense Firm and also various other employers in the Old Line State, head to our review of cyber safety and security programs in Maryland. Either of those overviews will notify you that you continue to be in the right area for cyber protection tasks, as there is a heap in the area.

Facets in the placement of a college consist of whether they are an NSA Center of Academic Quality, the series of cyber security-related degrees supplied, as well as also a wide array of metrics having a look at academic high quality, expense, return on monetary investment, in addition to pupil satisfaction. For a comprehensive run-through of our ranking approach along with across the country cyber defense level positions, look at our positions web page.

The program faces the promptly transforming economic climate as well as likewise contemporary innovation, as well as precisely how it influences details as well as network defense. UCD focuses on research study and also service reasoning while revealing students that to make and also maintain efficient software programs, as well as a great deal a lot more. Experience programs in their computer technology oeuvre consist of network defense, data source applications, formula design, expert system as well as likewise digital picture handling, as well as additionally a whole lot a great deal more.

Regular Web Expense Standard: fourth-$39,562 NDU is a greater education and also finding institution started by the UNITED STATE Division of Protection. Its purpose is to inform as well as enlighten students to assist establish the nationwide security method of the future. It was begun in 1976, as well as also is based in D.C. Its Master's programs require an one-year extensive study program.

It's not an entirely online design, as students will definitely have a comprehensive weeklong workshop at Feet McNair throughout the facility of each program. There's one last alternative if you feel you need it: For-profit University of the Potomac uses a focus in Cyber Safety and security for its MS in Details Modern modern technology degree.

That covers tuition, prices, books, professional development and additionally living expenditures. The stipend suffices to find an excellent area likewise in costly Foggy Bottom. After making your degree, you'll be called to help a federal firm for a couple of years. GW CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service: The specifics for Georgetown's CyberCorps honor, supplied by the NSF, were still being straightened given that 2017, yet the university's Cybersecurity Fellows program will certainly no question resemble George Washington's full scholarship program.

Modern technology area expands as far as the City does, with people crowding from northern Virginia as well as additional country Maryland to meet peers in the country's sources, as well as vice versa. You can have a look at a few of the communities outside the 4 quadrants by exploring our guide to cyber security programs in Virginia and/or Maryland, which include descriptions of regional Meetups such as the large D.C.

We've set up a few communities targeting DC homeowners. A great deal of the adhering to groups lie highly within the Federal City's borders yet welcoming to NOVA as well as Maryland residents: CapSec DC: Unlike most professional teams, CapSec DC does not require you to supply your grad thesis. The only expectation is that you come to have a drink/food as well as socialize.

In many cities and counties across the United States there are different types of cyber security programs that are available to residents. Some of these include a basic email service that is provided by the city, while others may provide email services for all residents in the area. The choice of service depends on how important the security of emails is for the residents.

A number of companies also offer security services to those residents in the city's police department and fire department as well. In some cases, there may be additional fees for these types of services, but they are usually very affordable and worth it.

There are several different kinds of services available for individuals in the city of Columbia. Some of the services are offered through a third party company that provides email services for residents. Others may be offered by a private company that offers security to residents. It is important for residents to determine which type of service would work best for them.

For those residents that do not have access to the internet, they may want to consider a cyber security program that is provided through the local police department. This type of program is similar to the one that is provided by other cities and counties. Many times, a computer technician will come to the home of the resident and use a specific software program to scan the computer to identify any viruses or spyware that may have been installed on the system. Once the scan has been conducted, the program will then inform the resident what steps need to be taken to ensure that there are no malicious spyware and viruses present on the computer.

Residents who are living in high-rise buildings or in buildings with more than one hundred thousand square feet of floor space will be eligible for cyber security programs offered by the city. These residents may also qualify for a program that provides email security for those who live in these buildings. Again, a technician will come to the residence of the residents and install a specific software program that scans the computer for any malware that could possibly be on the system.

Some people may even qualify for cyber security programs that are offered by a private company. The staff at this company will create a special email address for those residents in the building. This address will then become the cyber address of the resident and this individual can use this address to send emails to family and friends. from their home computer.

There are several different types of cyber security programs available to residents in the city of Columbia. There are many companies that offer the service, but they will charge different prices for different levels of service.

It may be in the best interest of residents to speak with a computer technician to determine which type of service will be the most affordable for them. While it may be cheaper to get the service that comes with a technician, residents may be happier and more secure if they chose to pay more for a more professional option.

Before contacting the services of a technician, it may be necessary to determine whether or not the resident is eligible for a cyber security program in the district of Columbia. A resident may qualify for this service if they have a home computer that they use for personal and business purposes. In addition, a resident may also qualify for this service if they have a wireless router that is connected to a residential telephone line and they also have a printer.

Residents in the District of Columbia may also qualify for a program that provides protection against emails and files that are lost. These programs will allow the residents to receive an email alert whenever there is a loss of any files that are stored on the computer. In addition, residents may qualify for a program that provides a program that prevents employees of the company from entering the files and folders on the computer.

When the residents select a program that offers these options, they may be able to receive the service for free, or at a reduced price. In addition to providing these benefits, residents may also be able to get security protection through antivirus and firewall protection as well as additional features such as email and chat. By receiving these additional features, residents may also be able to use the service for a limited period of time or for longer periods of time.

District of Columbia Cyber Security Jobs and Salary

Since business and other transactions are now nearly all transacted via computers and the Internet, there has never been more demand for cyber security professionals. The NSA and Homeland Security are involved in accrediting programs in hopes of building the very best cyber security workforce in the world. Thus, Washington, DC and its metro area are adding more security professionals all the time.

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area, for instance, there are over 14,000 professionals working as information security analysts. There are over 5,000 database administrators, too. All of these workers are earning an annual mean wage of over $100,000 per year. This is before bonuses and other benefits.

By contrast, computer programmers are earning around $97,000 in the DC area and their profession is slated to decline nationally. Systems analysts should see faster than average growth through 2028, but their salaries are trailing what you can probably earn as a cyber security expert. Systems analysts in DC are currently making just over $98,000 and are projected to add around 1,000 professionals to their ranks in the years 2014-24.

If you work as a computer and information systems manager, your salary could rise to over $151,000. That's for workers with a bachelor's degree. Once you add high-level certifications and a master's degree, you’ll see your earnings potential rise dramatically.

Furthermore, the profession is adding more to its ranks all the time. On the national level, database administration is set to increase its job numbers by 9% through 2024. Information security analysts are also set to experience dramatic growth, expanding by 32% through 2028. Yet another profession, network architects, are earning over $101,000 in DC and are slated to expand by 5% nationally. Ultimately, when you enter the fray as a cyber security professional, you are sure to earn a healthy salary and find a great deal of job security in the future.

Resources:

SANS Information Security Training

You can receive a security training from SANS either online or in a brick-and-mortar venue. This includes training and exercises. These trainings are not necessarily aimed at cyber security professionals, but you can emulate their approach when delivering training to your non-technical colleagues.

Department of Energy Cybersecurity Awareness & Training Warehouse

This online repository of cyber security information is available for people nationwide. These resources are aimed at average computer users. As such, you can make use of them when training your firm's employees to better secure their workstations and their personal devices.

DC Cybersecurity Professionals Meetup

For a nominal cost, you can attend cyber security meetups in Washington, DC. You can join the group for free online and keep tabs on their upcoming events and attend those that are most interesting to you. Meetups are a great opportunity for students to network and learn more about cyber security from those currently working in the field.

ISSA – Washington, DC

The Information Systems Security Association has a bustling chapter in DC. They host regular events to which esteemed speakers are invited and you'll find fantastic professional resources as a result of your membership. There are also ISSA chapters throughout the metro area, including Northern Virginia, Central Maryland, and Central Virginia.