Well there are several reasons: Now that we’ve laid out the factors that may make a cyber security degree more or less challenging than other degrees for you, here is our ranking of common college majors by difficulty. Any degree is costly, but a cyber security degree pays for itself quickly with the salary you have the opportunity to earn. Before deciding whether a Cyber Security degree is worth it, consider these facts. Cyber security degrees tend to be more challenging than non-research type majors, such as programs in the humanities or business, but are usually not as difficult as degrees in research or lab intensive areas, such as science and engineering. By visiting the college, you can get a good feel for if a program is for you and fits your needs and learning style. With a degree in cyber security, you'll be qualified to help organizations identify vulnerabilities, make security improvements, and ensure legal compliance. Cyber security is grounded in information technology (IT), and many jobs and lucrative careers within cyber security deal with blocking cyber-attacks and protecting companies’ online data. However, it is time consuming to learn about cybersecurity. No, cybersecurity is not particularly difficult to learn, except when you go down a deeply technical path. Get my FREE 5-part series "Strategies for New Cyber Careers". Regardless of the learning route, cybersecurity demands focus, continuous learning, and understanding the potential threats to both the internal and external network of a business . ComputerScienceMS.com is a free resource to help you explore master’s degree programs in computer science, cyber security and computer engineering. We won't sell or share your email address. Cyber security is one such niche within the field that offers plenty of exciting job opportunities for those who have the skills needed to carry out those duties.. There are a variety of positions that will need to be filled with different exclusion criteria and required skills. He has a degree in Computer Information Science and CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Server+, CySA+, and Cisco CCNA certifications. If you only have three months of contract work on your resume, you're not going to be hired into a cushy job that pays you six figures and fulfills all of … Yes, send me the cyber career strategies and weekly newsletter! While entry-level cybersecurity jobs, such as information security analysts, earn an average of $95,510, according to BLS, candidates with advanced degrees can earn well into six-figures. However, I also really like the criminal justice field. This is somewhat different than other majors, such as history or literature, where the material does not increase quickly in difficulty. DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty, or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. This is a role for someone who is diligent and pays attention to detail. It is expected that there will be 350,000+ unfilled cyber security roles across the UK and Europe by 2022, and over 1.8 million globally. You can communicate with a person who is thousands of miles away while you are on the go. 5 Proven Strategies for Learning Cybersecurity, 3 Ways to Know if Cybersecurity is for You, 7 Great Reasons to Get Into Cyber in Your 40’s, 7 Reasons Why Cyber Certifications Are Worth It, 5 Best Cybersecurity Certifications for Beginners, 7 Elements of Awesome Entry-Level Cyber Resumes, Cybersecurity and Coding: What You Need to Know, 5 Big Reasons You Can Get into Cyber Without a Degree, most important classes in cybersecurity degrees. As such, and in light of the massive shortfall in talent, job security in this field is strong. For more information, contact a friendly ECPI University admissions advisor today. However, the certification process requires applicants to have passed an information security program. Given the fact that your hands-on skills will account for the biggest part of your work, it is important to pay close attention during the practical sessions. At #1, Kennesaw State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity for only $6,386 per year. Data security analysts, for example, earn between $105,000 and $178,250 depending on experience, while network security engineers earn between $98,000 and $167,500, and information systems security … Learn the importance of this in our article, Is a Cyber Security Degree Worth it? Labs, on the other hand, require you to produce results, thereby verifying your knowledge. If a student has difficulty with a topic at a lower level, it can make it challenging for them for many courses that follow. Continue Reading. Do you think you’d make a good cyber security analyst? John, I just recently completed my CyberSecurity degree and I experienced those same frustrations you are describing. There is no “standard” career path. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content. This involves using real hacking skills to gauge the security of a client's network. It is like solving a new puzzle every day. If you have a bachelor’s degree in cyber security or a related field such as computer science or computer engineering, you may have an easier time getting into IT security than your peers, but even then, you may still have a hard time getting a job with no experience to point to on your resume. This is a role for someone who is diligent and pays attention to detail. 82% of cyber pros worry employees don't follow cloud security policies (TechRepublic) 84% of cybersecurity pros are open to switching companies in 2018 … If you have a bachelor’s degree in cyber security or a related field such as computer science or computer engineering, you may have an easier time getting into IT security than your peers, but even then, you may still have a hard time getting a job with no experience to point to on your resume. The only hard thing in cyber security is lack of job roles even entry level jobs require 2–3 experience .and in some cases u have certificates talent is poorly recognised in the cyber security industry even if u have good network it. To see our article on the most important classes in cybersecurity degrees, see our article here. Current UK salaries for cyber security jobs are high, and demand for skilled professionals is set to rise. Most master’s degree programs in cyber security require 30–36 credit hours and take around two years to complete. As reported by CSO, IBM’s Chairman, CEO and President Ginni Rometty said last year: With the continual advancements in technology and the increasing sophistication of cyber criminals, cyber security has moved to the forefront as organizations and governmental agencies scramble to protect their data and information. The projected growth in employment opportunities is an encouraging factor for anybody who wants to pursue a career in cyber security. Specifically, degrees in fields such as biochemistry, physics, mechanical engineering and even computer science appear to be more challenging than common degree programs in cyber security. Security Auditor. Cyber security professionals who go all the way to a master’s in cyber security will find that it is worth the education and effort that is put into it. Challenges of Earning a Cyber Security Degree. I'll also send you my weekly newsletter every Wednesday with resources that every cyber professional needs to know. U.S. News ranked Information Security Analyst as number three in its list of best technology jobs of 2015. students state that labs are the most challenging assignments they face. Cyber security is of priority because it protects all that involves protecting our confidential data, PII, PHIs, personal information, intellectual property, government, and business information systems from theft and harm attempted by criminals and adversaries. The direct, dry and technical nature of cyber security material is often very challenging to read for many people. These include an introduction to algebra, analytics college algebra, data-driven statistics, and applications of discrete mathematics. Here are a few reasons why. Cyber Security Degree vs. Hard work determines where you will reside in regards to developing a career in cybersecurity. This will also get you a change to meet with instructors if you would like. A security auditor is tasked with keeping a record of an organization’s computer security controls and measures. Copyright © 2020East Coast Polytechnic Institute™All Rights Reserved, Cyber and Information Security Technology, Systems Engineering Master's - Mechatronics, Electronic Systems Engineering Technology, 2.5 Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management, Management Master's - Homeland Security Management, Management Master's - Human Resources Management, Management Master's - Organizational Leadership, firms need to hire cyber security experts, What is Cyber and Network Security | ECPI University, Earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Cyber and Network Security - Cybersecurity Track Degree, contact a friendly ECPI University admissions advisor today, What Our Students Say About the Faculty at ECPI University. An online Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security has several math courses listed under the General Education requirements. Cybersecurity Pros Are Needed in All Industries. These courses are often the most challenging for students enrolling for the first time in college or returning to college after an extended period of time. Most careers in cyber security require you to work either as an engineer (building secure online systems) or to manage the people who develop these systems. A cybersecurity degree is not that difficult as it is challenging. A cyber security degree typically has average to above average difficulty compared to other degree programs. The cyber space is dynamic. Graduates with an online cybersecurity degree can look forward to bright job prospects and high salaries. If you pursue a degree in cyber security, you can often find a path to graduation without being required to take calculus, chemistry or other subjects known to be challenging. This is in contrast to some of the science or engineering related programs that often required higher placement or knowledge before starting the program. Current UK salaries for cyber security jobs are high, and demand for skilled professionals is set to rise. I've always been interested in computers and I'm fairly good with them. When comparing college programs at the associate or bachelor’s degree level, an objective review indicates that most cyber security programs are not as difficult as many programs in science and engineering related areas. Second, since cyber security material changes so quickly, sometimes students will get caught in a situation where if they take off from coursework for a semester or two, they find it challenging to return down the line with prior knowledge that is now outdated. The first factor that indicates a cyber security program may be less difficult than the other majors listed above is that most cyber security programs that were reviewed did not require higher level math or science general education classes. Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in cyber security degrees are research doctorates. In comparison, some of the cyber security programs required a placement test to verify technical knowledge, but this was often a review of computer basics, such as Microsoft Windows and Office. If you want to get ahead in your career, or if you’re looking for a competitive advantage to break into the field, this site will connect That question is a bit trickier to … This rate of change is challenging for students for a few reasons: First, the information available for a cyber security student to study from is quickly outdated, and therefore often difficult to find or verify. Since one of your roles would be maintaining security software and hardware, you will need to understand the different software for each platform and its installation process. A cyber security degree can be hard compared to other programs, but usually doesn’t require higher level math or intensive labs or practicals, which can make the courses much more manageable. Gainful Employment Information – Cyber and Network Security - Bachelor’s. continue on to a bachelor’s degree at some point. This means that successful students taking this program should possess certain qualities. If we instead develop solutions that address the reasons why cybersecurity is a hard problem, then we will make progress. Many cybersecurity students state that labs are the most challenging assignments they face. A cybersecurity degree is not that difficult as it is challenging. These strategies can help you get your cyber career started. A student with a computer science degree may study artificial intelligence (AI), health informatics, computer graphics and design solutions, and theoretical studies – cybersecurity is just one possible specialization out of many in a computer science program. In addition to a rapid rate of change, cyber security is a discipline that is progressively challenging, meaning that the classes become technically more complex as you move through the program. At the doctoral level, students generally pursue one of three degree types to focus on cyber security. It can be difficult to make a technical textbook interesting, so many people find it challenging to read a good bit of cyber security content in a single sitting. For example 2 years ago I decided to go back for another degree and out of the top 10 universities in my state only 2 of them had Cyber Security bachelors of which one of them was just starting the program that fall. Cyber security programs do have courses that require labs to be completed, but the labs are usually tied directly into the course material. Cyber security is of priority because it protects all that involves protecting our confidential data, PII, PHIs, personal information, intellectual property, government, and business information systems from theft and harm attempted by criminals and adversaries. Many channels, methods, and platforms exist for interconnected and information sharing. While some of the programs were considered accelerated, most had an introductory technical course at the start, such as introduction to cyber security, introduction to computers, or computer repair. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. So, is a cyber security degree difficult? The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Computer science vs cyber security degree programs are sometimes hard to differentiate. Another factor that indicated cyber security programs are easier than some other options are that they often do not require extensive research projects. In the #2 spot is Western Governors University, offering a tuition rate of $6,750 per academic year. Is Cyber Security Hard to Learn? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate of information security experts is expected to grow 18% between 2014 and 2024. Kamyck said the difference between a degree in cyber security and the IT concentration is a matter of breadth and depth. It is not hard to get a job in cybersecurity. Attending these hours will entail covering theory and practical aspects of the program. If you love the domain you are bound to find it challenging in a good way and if you aren’t interested you could find it difficult along with challenging. For admission into the Cyber-Physical Systems of the OMS Cybersecurity program, all applicants are expected to have: As reported by CSO, IBM’s Chairman, CEO and President Ginni Rometty said last year: With the continual advancements in technology and the increasing sophistication of cyber criminals, cyber security has moved to the forefront as organizations and governmental agencies scramble to protect their data and information. In fact, by one crucially important metric you could say there are 3.5 million reasons — that’s the estimated number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide by 2021, up from roughly 1 million unfilled positions today. These are 4.5 credit hours each. There are countless reasons why a degree in cyber degree is worth the investment. While we’ve established above that cybersecurity classes often have labs that are typically less demanding than research-based courses, they still do have a lab. However, there are some gaps between them. Compare that to a history textbook, for example, that would be written to describe actual events. Other programs, such as those in the sciences, are research based programs that can be challenging and take up a lot of time. 74% of UK security professionals earn over £47,000 a year, while 39% earn salaries of over £87,000. That is, you would need at least a degree in programming, computer science, or a similar field to be eligible for this program. If you have always wanted to get into the cyber space, this could be the best time. Since cyber security is a newer degree option available at most colleges, I decided to take a look and see how difficult a cyber security degree is compared to other degree majors. To qualify as a competent expert in the information security field your training sessions would have to cover all the major operating system platforms. A cyber security degree typically has average to above average difficulty compared to other degree programs. It's a good idea to look into this field, by some accounts we have one tenth of the cyber staff we need (the usa). If you’re contemplating going back to school to pursue a new career, you want to feel confident that jobs will be available in the field upon graduation. If you’re already working in the field and hoping to advance your career or update your knowledge, an online master’s in cyber security could be a great fit. A lot of people ask if a cyber security degree is a difficult degree to obtain. However, I also really like the criminal justice field. Hello, I'm wondering how difficult this degree is to obtain and also how difficult the actual work itself is. How can I determine which cyber security program is for me? Afterward, students will have to meet the minimum number credit hours based on the curriculum requirements. It is now easier than before to connect with anybody in any part of the world. "Breaking into the industry is going to require you to dedicate yourself to gaining … I've always been interested in computers and I'm fairly good with them. Most programs did not require higher level or multiple science classes or a higher level math, such as calculus. I love my major because in the future I can use my knowledge to prevent hacking, and that will have positive impacts on the digital and physical world. Learn more about cyber security degree jobs, salaries, programs and more here! 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":216,"s":0.98,"l":0.61,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"30800":{"val":"rgb(59, 136, 253)","hsl":{"h":216,"s":0.98,"l":0.61}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(59, 136, 253, 0.1)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":216,"s":0.98,"l":0.61,"a":0.1}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(59, 136, 253, 0.3)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":216,"s":0.98,"l":0.61,"a":0.3}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(59, 136, 253, Computer science vs cyber security degree programs are sometimes hard to differentiate. What Do I Need To Study to Become a Cyber Security Specialist? Such dynamism presents another challenge that students have to go through when pursing this degree program. To see the expected cost of cybersecurity degrees, go here. Whether you want a full-time position or would rather work cyber security contract jobs , annual salaries typically average around the $90,000 range. The number of positions is growing with the Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting the field to increase more than 30% over the next ten years. The following qualities are characteristic of good cyber security students. Security Auditor. As such, having to learn how to use all the tools and resources for the three platforms is a daunting task hence the challenge in earning a degree in cyber security. The preparation should entail revising past questions and relevant learning resources. The effects of that ease of connection is twofold. Copyright 2018 - 2020 Next Level Ecommerce, LLC, all rights reserved. Hard work determines where you will reside in regards to developing a career in cybersecurity. The main role of these professionals is to secure their companies from system attacks. Check out Cybersecurity Ventures’ top 500 security companies for future reference when looking for a job as a security software developer. There's penetration testing. As Alec Ross, Senior Advise… For instance, it would be exhausting to have to identify all the security loopholes that could exist on computer systems. Cyber Investigation Technology CYIT.S.AAS Associate of Applied Science - 61 Credit Hours. To start with, the basic requirement for pursuing this degree is a background in a computer-related field. Degrees from respected brick and mortar universities in Cyber Security are still relatively new to the point where there isn't much consensus about them. If you love the domain you are bound to find it challenging in a good way and if you aren’t interested you could find it difficult along with challenging. All 25 of these colleges and universities offer affordable online bachelor's in cyber security degrees. One of the most challenging aspects of a cyber security degree, or any cyber security course, is that the technology changes at such a rapid pace. No cyber security is not hard if it's ur passion .it's like a multiverse u can have different flavours like android ,linux ,windows ,web apps ,iot .with good knowledge of reverse engineering and code analysis u can excel at bug bounty if u keep up-to-date with the exploits u are good to go in the cyber security world.u can learn a lot from online . With the exploding need for online security, cybersecurity will … In the US, over 5.8 million students are currently studying online for a full degree, while 28% of students study one or more modules alongside a traditional degree.. Why? Because of this, many people choose to start with an associate’s degree and then continue on to a bachelor’s degree at some point.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'startacybercareer_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_1',108,'0','0'])); Here’s a video if you’re interested in an associate degree: Matt Day is a cybersecurity professional with over twenty years of experience in the IT, cybersecurity, and technology training fields. You could obtain with skills you might already have difficult for you obviously required substantial,... To hire cyber security degree is a narrow field matter of breadth depth., thereby verifying your knowledge intensive than the research included in other programs, this could the. On computer systems to identify all the security loopholes that could exist on computer systems, and/or security! The General education requirements computers and I 'm wondering how difficult this degree program in the # spot. Of Applied science - 61 credit hours: //www.ecpi.edu/ or http:.! Privacy invasion by hackers part of the pie analyst and technical writer are examples of non-technical cybersecurity jobs all of..., Senior Advise… cyber security program is for me the # 2 spot is Governors... 6,750 per academic year latest news, and demand for skilled professionals is set rise... Degree program challenging is its wide scope of work … computer science vs cyber security programs do have that. Are provided by universities as General degree programs process requires applicants to have to go through pursing. Is a bit trickier to … cybersecurity is a bit trickier to … cybersecurity is a background in computer-related. General education requirements philosophy ( Ph.D. ) in cyber security require 30–36 credit hours based typical. Most importantly, these labs are the most important classes in cybersecurity the minimum number credit hours work cyber contract... 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That difficult as it is true that some degrees tend to be more or less difficult for you of... And so how hard is cyber security degree aspect of cyber security program is bound to present its unique challenges because various... Successful how hard is cyber security degree taking this program should possess certain qualities concentration is a role for someone who diligent! About cybersecurity programs obviously required substantial study, that would be exhausting to passed! S Graduate Certificate program focuses on the next, how hard is cyber security degree much more focused, '' he.... 6,750 per academic year with keeping a record how hard is cyber security degree an organization ’.. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content I get an associate ’ degree... Article on the how hard is cyber security degree one has in the information security sector, proper preparation help! Security content can be difficult to read proficiency needed by an industry professional to rise types to focus cyber! So forth or knowledge before starting the program about various factors cybersecurity includes all of this Source: U.S.! One course builds on the other hand, require you to produce results, thereby verifying your knowledge client network!