Georgia

With over 120 cyber security companies generating over $4.7 billion in revenue, Georgia’s cyber security economy is on the rise. On top of that, come 2020, the US Army Cyber Command will move their headquarters to Fort Gordon in Augusta, bringing 4,700 high-tech military positions to the state. Georgia is becoming something of a cyber security hub. NSA Georgia already operates a 600,000 cryptologic center out of Fort Gordon and the state-owned Hull McKnight Georgia Cyber Center for Innovation and Technology offers continuous cyber training for public and private security professionals.

Aspiring cyber security professionals, whether they’re looking for a career change or weighing university options, will find no shortage of quality educational programs throughout the entire state of Georgia. Whether you’re considering a career in the US Army or prefer civilian life, Georgia is the place to be if you’re interested in anything related to cyber security, IT, or systems security.

Georgia Cyber Security Education Degrees & Requirements

Associate’s Degree

At the associate level, students will explore the fundamentals of cyber security during the course of a two-year program. These programs typically cover the vulnerabilities of common hardware and software systems, network technologies, and offer a basic overview of cyber security practices like security administration and intrusion detection.

Entry to an associate degree program usually only requires a high school diploma or GED, though some, more exclusive, schools may require a certain GPA.

When to consider earning an associate degree:

You’re looking to land an entry-level position in a relatively short amount of time. While most positions require a bachelor’s degree, some roles like a computer support technician only require the two-year degree. You’ll need to return to school if you want to earn a higher salary and advance in your career.

You’re looking to transfer to a four-year program. Two-year programs are often more affordable and flexible than their four-year counterparts, making an associate degree an attractive option for those hoping to save on tuition while getting the fundamental coursework out of the way. This option may be ideal for students who work full-time or didn’t perform well in high school.

You’d like to supplement existing IT experience. Associate programs aren’t just for beginners, they’re also a solid option for working professionals that want to broaden their expertise or make a career change. If you earned a bachelor’s degree in IT several years ago and want to get into cyber security or need to learn the basics to stay competitive at work, an associate degree is one way to do that.

Bachelor’s Degree

For prospective students, it’s probably not a great idea to take the DIY route when it comes to your education. You’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree to specialize in the cyber security sector. Additionally, cyber security is one of those disciplines where change is the only constant, meaning you’ll need to continually take courses, read up on the latest news in the cyber security space, and obtain certifications to remain competitive.

The curriculum in a bachelor’s cyber security program is similar to that of a computer science degree. It begins with a foundation in programming, database applications, and statistics. Then students have the opportunity to delve into more advanced topics such as artificial intelligence, cryptography, and ethical hacking. Post-graduation, students are qualified for roles like cyber security analysts, information security analysts, and computer forensic analysts. These degrees are perfect for traditional students and students who have already earned an associate degree.

Example courses:

Information Security Assessment

Networking

Computer Forensics

Information Security Planning and Assessment

Data Recovery

Master’s Degree

Though there’s a global shortage in cyber security professionals and many jobs only require a bachelor’s degree, earning an advanced degree in cyber security can help you gain an edge on the competition and earn a higher salary. According to a study from Burning Glass Technologies, 84% of cyber security jobs require a bachelor’s degree, while just 16% require a master’s or higher. Those roles typically include cyber security managers, engineers or architects, and higher-level executive roles that involve making strategic decisions and managing other professionals.

Having an advanced degree may enable candidates to achieve higher positions in their career path more quickly or advance within their own organization.

Though master’s programs vary based on your concentration and the school, typical coursework includes:

Data Communications

Wireless and Computer Networks

Information Assurance

Server-Coded Computing

Algorithm Design Analysis

And various electives:

Artificial Intelligence

Threat Management and Intel

Cloud Computing

The requirements to enter a master’s degree program include a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, certain prerequisite courses like calculus, Java, or C++, GRE or GMAT scores, and may require previous work experience.

Certifications in Georgia

Certification programs are designed to help working professionals advance in their careers or diversify their skillset. Certifications often take a year or two to complete and are generally a better choice than associate degrees for people who want to learn a new skill or build on their existing knowledge. For students who haven’t yet earned a bachelor’s degree, going for a certification instead might backfire, as many employers prefer candidates that have a degree.

You should consider a certificate program if you want to add credentials to your resume, want to learn new skills, or want to get hands-on professional training for a specific role. Certification prerequisites range considerably. Entry-level certifications can help you break into a career in cyber security, though you should have some background in IT before working toward a credential. Mid to senior-level certifications come with a higher barrier to entry, often requiring several years of work experience and a background in IT and cyber security. In this case, these certifications may help you command a higher paycheck or qualify for a more advanced role.

Why is Accreditation Important?

Accreditation is important because it helps determine whether an educational institution meets a certain set of quality standards. Many employers require that students have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and students who wish to pursue a master’s degree will also need to have that credential before they can move forward.

If you earn a degree from an unaccredited institution, you may find that you’ve wasted a significant amount of money on an education that doesn’t help you find work or further your education. If you’re considering a career in cyber security in the state of Georgia, it’s also worth pointing out that beyond looking for an accredited school, you may want to seek out one of the state’s several institutions with a CAE designation. The NSA and DHS offer CAE classifications to schools with high quality cybersecurity or information security programs.

Computer Science & IT Programs in Georgia

Columbus State University

Columbus State is one of the top-ranked universities in the South and offers a computer science program that allows students to specialize by selecting a track. Options include Applied Computing, Cyber Security, Software Systems, and Education. The school also offers a separate program in Information Technology. Students that want to make a career change can participate in the school’s Nexus degree program which provides hands-on training in FinTech Cyber Security.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences – Associate, Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance – Undergraduate & Postgraduate Certificates

Date Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration – Undergraduate Certificate

Information Technology – Bachelor’s Degree

Tuition Cost

In-State: $6,134

Out-of-State: $16,920

Average Net Price: $11,316

College Retention Rate: 72% (Full-time Students); 19% (Part-time Students)

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University is a large public university that offers a wide range of bachelor’s degree programs, as well as graduate degrees, continuing education, and co-curricular programs. While the school doesn’t have a cyber security bachelor’s degree, Kennesaw State is part of the Georgia University system’s nationally ranked cyber institutes with CAE-DC designations and several degree options for aspiring computer scientists, programmers, and IT pros.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences, General – Bachelor’s Degree

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance – Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate & Postgraduate Certificate

Computer Programming, Specific Applications – Bachelor’s Degree

Computer Science – Bachelor’s, Master’s Degrees & Postgraduate Certificate

Computer/Information Technology Services Administration and Management – Undergraduate Certificate

Information Science/Studies – Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees

Information Technology – Bachelor’s, Master’s Degrees & Postgraduate Certificate

Tuition Cost

In-State: $6,347

Out-of-State: $17,329

Average Net Price: $17,618

College Retention Rate: 79% (Full-time Students); 57% (Part-time Students)

Georgia Institute of Technology – Main Campus

Georgia Tech is a well-known research university that offers a wide range of technology-focused degrees at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate levels. While the school doesn’t appear to have a cyber security specific program for undergraduates, it is known for partnering with the community on privacy and security research and training and provides several computer and information science degrees.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences, General – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance – Master’s Degree

Computer Science – Master’s & Doctorate Degrees

Information Science/Studies – Doctorate Degree

Tuition Cost

In-State: $12,424

Out-of-State: $33,020

Average Net Price: $16,950

College Retention Rate: 97% (Full-time Students); 50% (Part-time Students)

Augusta University

Augusta University offers a small selection of undergraduate programs but is home to the Augusta Cyber Institute and is located near the NSA, the Army Cyber Command, the Georgia Cyber Center, the Army Cyber Institute, and the Cyber Center of Excellence. The school offers the Cyber Defender Certificate, which can be added to any undergraduate major and is part of the IT major requirement.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences – Bachelor’s Degree

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance – Master’s Degree, Undergraduate & Postgraduate Certificate

Information Technology – Bachelor’s Degree

Tuition Cost

In-State: $8,604

Out-of-State: $23,156

Average Net Price: $13,112

College Retention Rate: 73% (Full-time Students); 33% (Part-time Students)

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a large public university ranked as one of 71 US institutions designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense research. UGA offers a range of certification training courses through their continuing education center, however, the school does not offer a bachelor’s degree in cyber security. Undergraduates interested in pursuing this path should start by earning a BS in computer science and consider working through the entry-level certifications.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences – Undergraduate Certificate

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance – Postgraduate Certificate

Computer Science – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees

Tuition Cost

In-State: $11,830

Out-of-State: $30,404

Average Net Price: $15,539

College Retention Rate: 95% (Full-time Students); 6% (Part-time Students)

University of North Georgia

University of North Georgia offers a broad range of educational programs from the associate level to the doctorate level and offer professional certifications for students looking for opportunities to pick up new skills and advance in their careers. UNG is also one of the few schools that offers a BS in cyber security, which as mentioned is typically offered at the graduate or certificate level if it's offered at all.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences – Bachelor’s Degree

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance – Postgraduate Certificate

Information Science/Studies – Bachelor’s degree

Tuition Cost

In-State: $4,692

Out-of-State: $13,514

Average Net Price: $10,264

College Retention Rate: 79% (Full-time Students); 63% (Part-time Students)

Conferences and Workshops

Hacker Halted

An annual cyber security training event put on by the EC-Council, Hacker Halted is designed for certified ethical hackers (CEH) and others in the InfoSec community looking to increase their knowledge. Participants will have the opportunity to network with others in the space, hear from 40+ speakers, and participate in breakout sessions. They’ll also get the chance to participate in advanced ethical hacking training sessions to increase their skills.

SecureWorld Atlanta

SecureWorld Atlanta is an annual event that offers two days of cyber security education, which amounts to between 12-16 hours of continuing education credits for certified professionals. The conference offers networking opportunities and is attended by several professional associations within the IT, IS, and cyber security industry.

ICS Cybersecurity

A global conference for industrial control cyber security professionals, this event offers networking opportunities, panel discussions, and the chance to explore new technologies and hear the latest research in the industry.

Georgia's two-year technological universities have yet to make their cyber security as well as protection programs readily available through range recognizing. That leaves it to numerous of the internet cyber safety and security levels as well as certifications, with alternatives varying from digital criminal activity to information guarantee to firm management with a technology emphasis.

Yet there are different other choices. Locate the online level you're looking for listed below. An associate level is a wonderful intro to cyber defense because of the fact that in 2 years pupils can complete their standard education programs while being presented to foundational topics that bring over to a bachelor's degree. However although several of Georgia's two-year colleges supply cyber safety and security levels (consisting of Augusta Technical University, Chattahoochee Technology as well as likewise Gwinnett) none has actually positioned a complete program online.

If you have in fact level in the direction of a four-year bachelor's in cyber safety. In addition to if you haven't, you can begin fresh by taking standard education as well as essential programs prior to moving onto cutting-edge cyber safety and also safety coursework. Despite the beginning point on your bachelor's degree journey, you'll want to think about Kennesaw State University's 2 online programs in the field: the Bachelor of Service Administration (BBA) in Info Safety And Also Safety & Guarantee along with the Bachelor's Level in Info Modern Technology (BSIT) with a focus in Info Security in addition to Guarantee.

It's shown for individuals that intend to operate in facility administration at technology firms or in IT departments. The BSIT level selection merely requires trainees to take 3 electives in safety and also safety and security, hacking as well as forensics. Grad institution is a great time to start discovering more concerning cyber safety and security and safety if you've already obtained a BS in a computer system scientific research area.

Lots of universities have a healthy and balanced quantity of both, as well as likewise students are usually taken into account instantly for appropriate honors by sending an admission application or an additional scholarship application. Right here's a taste of what's out there for Georgia trainees seeking a cyber safety and security degree: Computer technology Scholarship: This honor is reserved for graduate students in the Division of Computer System and also Information Scientific Research, so MS prospects with a focus in Computer system Networks and Protection need to apply.

That tracks well with the state's cost of living, which is 91 percent of the national average. It's a further worrying position with Atlanta's somewhat greater rate of living, where a lot of the cyber security tasks are located. Put simply, as a cyber security and also safety specialist in Georgia, you'll obtain a wage according to across the country criteria.

As one of the country's elite cybersecurity centers, Georgia ranks third in the country for details safety and security with an annual income surpassing $4.7 billion. From the Army Cyber Command at Ft Gordon to growing monetary, health care, and hi-tech markets in cybersecurity work is expanding daily throughout the general public as well as also the personal market.

Many companies have been turning to Internet-based Cyber Security Programs in Georgia to provide the peace of mind that is needed to make business decisions with confidence and the security of your personal data. The internet has opened up new opportunities and new jobs for Georgia residents but it is also making it easier for people to make bad decisions by taking advantage of the increased ability to stay in the dark.

Many cyber criminals have become skilled at using the internet as a way to steal credit card numbers and other financial information. They use this information to obtain online credit cards and to open new bank accounts using their name and even the social security number that they provide. Most consumers don't know they have been a victim of a cyber crime until the identity thieves try to take advantage of them when they try to apply for credit or make other important financial decisions.

The best thing to do is not to rely on the internet to protect you. The first step to doing this is to be familiar with the many types of cyber security systems available. There are both online and off-line systems that can help provide protection from these criminals. Internet-based programs usually use a combination of hardware and software to provide the protection you need.

There are several things that consumers should keep in mind when choosing a company to purchase a system from. Always choose a company that has a solid reputation and that has helped others to provide similar protection for their customers. Look at the customer testimonials and reviews and always go with a company that will offer you a free demo of their products so that you can see if the protection they provide is what you need.

Internet-based Cyber Security Systems is offered in a variety of different sizes and prices. If you want to get the most protection, you might want to consider a system that includes a high end monitoring center that will allow you to check your credit and bank accounts from anywhere around the world. The company's software will alert you when your account has been accessed and when it appears that you are using your credit card at an online store, the system will notify you. This will stop you from going on any shopping spree with your credit card until you have stopped yourself from buying items you don't need and are not entitled to purchase.

Your home security monitoring center can be set up in many ways so that you can monitor your children's internet usage and even track who their email addresses are from anywhere in the world. A good program will also include tools that allow you to monitor your family members' computer activity and protect them in a more personal way from unwanted phone calls, emails and other forms of harassment.

In order to get the most out of your security system, you should also consider getting a good program that offers a backup. In other words, you should look for a company that offers a back up plan that allows you to restore your system if there are problems with your company or your home.

A quality online Cyber Security Systems will always offer the guarantee of a refund if you are not satisfied with the performance of the system. So if you're concerned about the safety of your company, consider buying one of the many companies that offer online Cyber Security Programs in Georgia today. The benefits that are available can truly pay off in the long run and can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Resources

Hull McKnight Georgia Cyber Center for Innovation and Training

The Hull McKnight Georgia Cyber Center is located in Augusta and represents a partnership between the state’s university system, the government, the US army, and the private sector to promote continuous improvements in cyber security technology through education, research, and hands-on training. The center is a resource that offers cyber security education to K-12 learners, workforce training at all levels, and a cloud-based cyber training environment for practicing skills like ethical hacking and threat hunting.

The Institute for Information Security & Privacy

The Institute for Information Security & Privacy is a collaborative effort between the private sector, government, and Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) that spans nine labs and 200 researchers working on innovations in the cyber security space.

The Center of Innovation for IT

Georgia’s Center of Innovation for IT is a resource that connects Georgia’s IT community with potential partners and research opportunities. The center also works with companies, exposing them to new markets and opportunities and facilitates collaborations between government agencies, private companies, and academia to find solutions.

FinTech Academy

Georgia is home to the nation's first FinTech Academy, a joint effort between the university system’s network of 26 public institutions and 120+ private companies. The academy was designed in response to a global shortage of cybersecurity workers at all levels, and it aims to prepare current college students and experienced IT pros for the unique challenges of today’s connected world.

National Technology Security Coalition

A trade group that aims to assist in fighting the digital disruption of US companies, the National Technology Security Coalition (NTSC) is a non-partisan, public-private partnership that educates industry stakeholders, puts on networking events, and acts as an advocate for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) across the US.