An education in cybersecurity can prepare you for high-paying jobs in an increasing industry. As society’s digitization grows, there need to be more qualified cybersecurity experts to meet the growing demand for safeguarding sensitive data, software, and networks.
Now is an excellent time for anyone interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity. What kind of positions can you expect to find when you graduate from college? Discover the answers to the questions above and determine whether or not a cybersecurity degree is right for you by exploring this guide.
How Does Cybersecurity Work?
It is essential to understand that cyber security is a subset of information security (infosec). It generally refers to protecting programs, computer networks, and digital information from threats such as hackers. Responsibilities on a day-to-day basis A professional in the field of cybersecurity must have a working knowledge of how to counter cybersecurity threats such as malware, ransomware, and phishing. Cyberattacks grab national attention, but most cybersecurity work takes place behind the scenes, protecting people and organizations who don’t know they’re vulnerable.
The main job of cybersecurity experts is to prevent attacks. Their skill set includes several other skills, which is why these professionals must always be ready to take decisive action in the event of a security breach occurring in their organization.
Who Makes a Good Cybersecurity Professional?
Cybersecurity might be a good career choice if you’re detail-oriented, analytical, collaborative, and can improvise. Having excellent math and computing skills on the technical side of things is also essential. To qualify for most jobs, you must at least have a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field.
There is no doubt that the best information security professionals have enthusiasm for the field’s overarching mission as well as its day-to-day activities. While cybersecurity offers attractive benefits like high salaries and job security, it can sometimes be stressful – think combating an active hacking attempt with millions on the line. In addition, it can also be repetitive, such as checking the incident logs regularly.
Enjoying problem-solving and working well under pressure if you intend to succeed in this industry is essential.
How to Earn a Degree in Cybersecurity?
The tech industry values skills as highly as education, so is a cybersecurity degree worth the investment? The answer to this question is yes-many employers prefer candidates who are college educated.
Applicants without degrees may have limited career options available to them. The Burning Glass Technologies report released in 2019 shows that 88% of cybersecurity jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree to be considered for the position. Some factors may affect your pay rate and job security if you earn a cybersecurity degree. A graduate with a master’s degree earns about 18% more than a graduate with a bachelor’s degree. 3.5% of Bachelor’s degree holders are unemployed, and 2.6% of master’s holders are. Undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity degrees are available on campus, in hybrid, and online.
A Bachelor’s degree is required.
To complete a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, you will learn foundational computer skills and knowledge emphasizing information security. The majority of Bachelor’s degrees require a total of 120 credits and four years of full-time study to complete. Students often earn an associate degree in computer science or information technology before transferring to a four-year school.
A cybersecurity degree at the undergraduate level typically begins with a general education course and a course in computing fundamentals. Several Bachelor’s degree programs prepare their graduates to pursue in-demand industry certifications from organizations such as (ISC)2 and CompTIA, which offer in-demand career paths. Some schools offer a cybersecurity major as a stand-alone degree. It is common for professionals in the field to hold undergraduate degrees in areas such as engineering, mathematics, and information assurance.
Degree in Master’s Degree
Master’s degree in cybersecurity better understands essential issues in the industry. To prepare for leadership and innovation roles, learners build on their knowledge of cryptography, privacy engineering, and network security.
As well as advanced technical topics, master’s programs often teach management skills as well. This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the cybersecurity discipline’s ethical, legal, and national security aspects.
Master’s degrees in cybersecurity usually require 30 credits and culminate in an integrative capstone project. Many programs are designed to accommodate working professionals. School specializations include policy, energy systems, cryptanalysis, and management.
An applicant for a cybersecurity master’s degree often holds a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, such as computer science or engineering. If you have IT work experience, relevant professional certifications, or previous coursework related to IT, you can still be competitive.
The prerequisite for advanced courses is a bridge course in computer science, cybersecurity, or related subjects. Read More
Taking a Cybersecurity Bootcamp
Read on if you want to get into cybersecurity without going to college. A cybersecurity boot camp may work as well or even better than a traditional degree for many aspiring infosec professionals. Bootcamps have pros and cons.
Bootcamps prepare graduates for entry-level cybersecurity jobs through actionable, targeted curricula. Intensive career training experiences may cover less theory and context than Bachelor’s programs. It found that many boot camps cost less than Bachelor’s degrees, according to a study by RTI Press published in 2019, with an average tuition price of $11,900. Students must be aware that most types of federal financial aid are not available for boot camps.
A boot camp is typically shorter and more flexible than most degree programs, making it more convenient for working students with other commitments. For example, Flatiron School offers a 15-week cybersecurity boot camp and a 40-week part-time option. Part-time Springboard programs last six months. Ten hours a week for four months to Udacity’s infosec-oriented courses.
Information security professionals not majoring in cybersecurity can benefit from boot camps. Cybersecurity boot camps can provide just the proper training for these learners. Before starting a boot camp, people with Bachelor’s degrees in nontechnical fields may benefit from coding basics courses.
Careers in cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is growing as sensitive personal information and essential economic functions move online. Information security experts help businesses and governments stay ahead of cyber threats. Fortune Business Insights said the global cybersecurity market was worth $139.77 billion in 2021. According to the organization, e-commerce will boost that value to $376.32 billion by 2029. IoT, machine learning, and cloud computing will open new opportunities and challenges.
Infosec professionals will have a bright job outlook shortly. According to Burning Glass Technologies, demand for cybersecurity workers increased by 94% from 2013 to 2018. Cyberseek reported nearly 715,000 cybersecurity job openings from May 2021 to April 2022.
The high demand is also likely to continue for some time to come. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 35% increase in the number of jobs for information security analysts from 2021 to 2031. This growth rate is estimated to be three times higher than the national average growth rate projected for all occupations combined.
Cyberseek reports there are only enough qualified professionals to fill 66% of cybersecurity job openings, resulting in high salaries for cybersecurity professionals. According to Burning Glass Technologies, cybersecurity salaries average $93,540. You can pursue careers like these with a cybersecurity degree.
Director of Information Security
The position is one of the highest-paying cybersecurity roles. CISOs oversee all aspects of their employers’ information security. Set security policies, audit existing systems, hire security teams, and make recommendations. Click Here
Generally, these executives have at least a bachelor’s degree and seven to ten years of IT experience. Employers prefer candidates with master’s degrees. As of September 2022, chief information security officers earned an average annual salary of $170,000.
Analyst In the Field of Information Security
Professionals like these work daily to ensure that networks and data remain safe and secure. The tasks they may be responsible for may include collecting data, performing vulnerability assessments, updating security systems, and assisting end users.
Information security analysts usually require a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related discipline. In September 2022, Payscale reported an average annual salary for this role of more than $74,000, with senior analysts earning an average wage of about $107,000 a year, according to Payscale.
Expert in Security
Information security architects design and implement security policies and procedures. During the development phase, they supervise programming teams. They also assess and improve systems after launch.
Typically, security architects need a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or computer science. In September 2022, security architects earned an average of over $130,000 annually.
Engineer Specializing In Security
To improve the security of computer systems, security engineers devise solutions. They must possess strong skills in incident response and digital forensics. Their responsibilities include keeping incident logs, developing automation strategies, and collaborating with other IT professionals.
Typically, security engineers hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering. As of September 2022, these professionals earn an average salary of over $96,000. A senior security engineer can earn nearly $120,000 annually with ten or more years of experience.