Networks, devices, and data need to be protected from unauthorized access and criminal use. The world’s increasing dependence on computers demands professionals who can promptly detect and avert all forms of cyberattacks. For those who’d like to make a career in cyber security, now is the time. In this article, we cover types of cyber security degrees, online courses, and the best universities to give you the headstart you need.
Types of degrees
Cyber security degrees are of various types, such as
Certification
Getting a basic certificate is ideal for those who don’t have the time and money to invest in a degree. The courses take relatively less time to complete, but these are helpful if you’re trying a field switch or applying for an entry-level job.
Associate’s degree
Many schools offer an Associate’s degree of Arts or Science in cyber security. These degrees cover a variety of modules and take around two years to complete.
Bachelor’s degree
This degree usually requires about four years of full-time study. The modules covered in detail include scripting, security risk management, securing visual and cloud systems, and cybersecurity capstone.
Master’s degree
Bachelor’s degree holders who are looking to dive deeper into this field can opt for a master’s degree. This degree will take around two years to complete; it focuses on enterprise architecture, risk management, information security assurance, and cyber security management.
Ph.D.
A doctorate may be ideal for those who want to go all-in on cyber security studies. Getting a Ph.D. takes around five years and requires bachelor’s as well as master’s degrees in computer science or a related field.
Courses to consider
Some of the best cyber security courses out there are
CompTIA Security+ Certification Training
CompTIA certifications are highly valued in the field of cyber security. The Security+ certification equips candidates with the core knowledge required of any cyber security role, making it the right course for beginners. Topics like cyber attacks, incident response, risk management, and cryptography are covered in detail.
The Complete Cyber Security Course
This training course available on Udemy is divided into four volumes: Hackers Exposed, Network Security, Anonymous Browsing, and End Point Protection to take students from beginner to advanced levels. The course was created by Nathan House, who has over 25 years of experience in the field and is highly popular on Udemy.
Cybersecurity Specialization
Offered by the University of Maryland and available on Coursera, this course focuses on the fundamentals of constructing secure systems, including using cryptography to secure interactions. Candidates must have some related experience to make the best out of this course.
IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate
This course offered by IBM can prepare candidates for the role of a Cyber Security Analyst. No degree or even prior experience is required for this course, which covers concepts like network security, incident response, threat intelligence, and endpoint protection.
Top universities
These universities are highly popular for the cyber security programs they offer:
Carnegie Mellon
The premier Carnegie Mellon University offers cyber security programs through its Information Networking Institute. Some of the best courses include Master of Science in Information Security (MSIS), Cyber Ops Certificate course, MSIT: Information Security & Assurance, and Security and privacy courses by Carnegie Mellon’s CyLab.
MIT
The world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology covered a variety of education levels in cyber security. The courses include Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security and Networking, Master of Networking with a Cyber Security major, and Applied Cybersecurity. MIT also offers research programs under its Cybersecurity and Internet Policy Initiative.
UC Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley is another leading university that provides courses related to cyber security, information management, and data science. UC Berkeley School of Information’s Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) is a sought-after program that allows students to specialize in a particular area of cybersecurity application. In addition, the university offers Cybersecurity Boot Camp, graduate degrees in different specializations, and Ph.D. in Information Management and Systems.
