Higher Education

It used to be, stick around long enough in an entry-level IT role, shift to a Systems Administrator role, then transition to cybersecurity. Today, cybersecurity has become such a hot and lucrative field, it is important to be as competitive as possible. Staying ahead of the curve and maximizing your career potential requires continuous learning and development.

That does not mean that the tried and true method of starting in an entry-level IT role does not work. It is still recommended to get your start in an IT Help Desk position first in order to learn and understand the basics of IT. From there, it is easier to branch out and settle into the cybersecurity field, instead of trying to jump right in without any foundational experience.

If you're already in a Help Desk or Desktop Support position, it is recommended to bridge any knowledge gaps and bolster your experience (and resume) with continued education. Not only will this teach you new methods of doing research and expose you to cybersecurity fundamentals you may have through the normal courses of your career, but it will make you more competitive in this growing field.

Here are just a few reasons why continued education is crucial for both new and experienced cybersecurity professionals:

For New Careers:

• Building a Strong Foundation: Gain the essential knowledge, skills, and tools needed to thrive in the cybersecurity field.

• Boosting Your Employability: Earn relevant certifications and enhance your resume to stand out to potential employers.

• Staying Updated: Understand the latest threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation techniques.

• Developing a Specialization: Explore specific areas of cybersecurity that align with your interests and career goals.

For Career Growth:

• Staying Competitive: Advance your skills and knowledge to keep pace with the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

• Opening up New Opportunities: Qualify for promotions, leadership roles, and higher-paying positions.

• Expanding Your Expertise: Deepen your understanding of specific domains within cybersecurity.

• Maintaining Relevance: Adapt to changing technologies and industry standards to remain a valuable asset to your organization.

Continuing your education demonstrates your commitment to lifelong learning, adaptability, and innovation – all essential qualities for a successful and fulfilling career in cybersecurity.

Although these are recommended higher education schools, there are many more schools with cybersecurity programs. The primary recommendation for cybersecurity schools and programs is to ensure that they are part of the National Security Agency's National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). A listing of all schools in the program can be found here. From their website, here is a summary of what makes NCAE-C so attractive for employers:

NCAE-C program aims to create and manage a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with community colleges, colleges, and universities that:

• Establishes standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence,

• Includes competency development among students and faculty,

• Values community outreach and leadership in professional development,

• Integrates cybersecurity practice within the institution across academic disciplines,

• Actively engages in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education.

Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity:

In-Person:

1. Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics (BS): Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) - Rochester, NY

2. Information Assurance (BS): University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) - Baltimore, MD

3. Computer Science with a Cybersecurity Focus (BS): California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) - San Bernardino, CA

4. Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigations (BS): University of Central Florida (UCF) - Orlando, FL

5. Computer Network & Security (BS): Colorado Technical University (CTU) - Online & National Campuses

Online:

1. Cybersecurity (BS): Purdue University Global

2. Information Security & Assurance (BS): Western Governors University (WGU)

3. Cybersecurity & Information Assurance (BS): American Military University (AMU)

4. Cybersecurity & Information Systems (BS): University of Arizona

5. Computer Science with a Cybersecurity Specialization (BS): National University

Master's Degrees in Cybersecurity:

In-Person:

1. Master of Science in Information Security Engineering (MSISE): Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) - Atlanta, GA

2. Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSCS): Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, MD

3. Master of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA): Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, PA

4. Master of Science in Cybersecurity Policy & Law (MSCPL): University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) - Online & National Campuses

5. Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management & Leadership (MSCML): University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) - Lowell, MA

Online:

1. Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSCS): University of California, Berkeley

2. Master of Science in Information Security & Assurance (MSISA): SANS Institute

3. Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering (MSCE): George Washington University (GWU)

4. Master of Science in Cyber Operations & Intelligence (MSCOI): University of South Florida (USF)

5. Master of Science in Cyber Risk Management (MSCRM): Boston University