Cybersecurity is a subset of computer science, and in today’s computer-reliant world, it has its own field of study and degree programs. 16. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 19% growth rate for computer science jobs and a 28% growth rate for information security jobs through 2026. Cyber Security vs IT Security: Is There a Difference? They leave it up to the Cybersecurity Specialist to execute them. An IA degree holder learns what measures and approaches to take. When you’re ready to job-search, there are many employment options for both IT and cybersecurity grads across industries as varied as health care, finance, and manufacturing, but one of the leading employers is the federal government. To make this possible, many of our featured programs are from our partners. https://www.excelsior.edu/programs/technology/, https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5914906766897405196, Bachelors of Science in Information Technology, Q & A with Ashley Picillo, Founder of Point Seven Group and Advisor for the Cannabis Control Certificate Program. You are exchanging your and your money and want to ensure that you are making the best decision for your career development. Both computer science and cyber security degrees will get you a job in cyber security. Cybersecurity is no longer just an information technology problem — it’s a business risk for all nonprofit organizations. Cybersecurity professionals often pursue a master’s degree to prepare them for higher-paying jobs, leadership roles, or a job in an adjacent field.Learning about some of the best Cyber Security schools will help you to choose which one is the best fit for you. While a degree is no guarantee, and no one has a crystal ball, the answer is a likely YES. In general, cyber security programs are focused on graduating as many qualified students as possible. Degree. Regardless of your degree, experience is a large factor in salary determination, so make sure you stay current with changes in technology and best practices and consider earning skills certificates through companies like ISC2, CompTIA, and CISCO that offer industry standard certifications that can boost your earning potential. This decision depends on a lot of personal factors, but in this article, we will be breaking down the pros and cons of each route and help you decide for yourself. For Cotner, earning a bachelors degree made the likelihood of promotion within the U.S. Border Patrol that much more of a reality. Comp sci is more technical but is less specific to the field of cyber security while cyber security degrees are more specific but may lack important computer science theory and fundamentals. First, the math- and science-heavy core course load is dwarfed drastically. There is no perfect approach to going to college for cyber security. At Cyber Career School, we aim to empower you as a cyber security professional and make decisions with confidence. Reach out to me at colin@cybercareerschool.com, About the Author | Contact: colin@cybercareerschool.com | YouTube Channel, Privacy Policy     Cyber Career School Disclosure     Terms of Use. If you are fortunate enough to have access to a mature accredited cyber security program then you should consider it. Information technology specialists have myriad career paths to consider, many of which are seeing strong job growth today. Let’s take a look at the best cyber security certifications for beginners.... Not all cyber security professionals need to know how to code. Going the comp sci degree route can really set you up well for a technical role in cyber security as long as you are willing to put in the work and learn cyber security on your own time. August 29, 2019 by Greg Belding. While comp sci degrees aren’t specific to the field of cyber security, they can really set you up with a strong foundation to build upon. It used to be that universities offered security-focused courses within their computer science programs. Those interested in cybersecurity usually earn a bachelor’s in computer science. This profession combines mathematics, statistics, and computer science to create algorithms and various security systems to encrypt and encode data. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is a popular... At Cyber Career School, we aim to empower you as a cyber security professional and make decisions with confidence. The concept of a cyber security degree is a relatively new concept. Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Statistics backs this up. Lead by Ethan Sprissler, faculty program director for cybersecurity at Excelsior College; Lisa Romano-Arnold, regional director of government and workforce partnerships at Excelsior; and Tom Formby, senior human resources specialist for outreach, diversity, and inclusion recruitment policy, and outreach at U.S. Office of Personnel Management, in Washington, DC, the program explained career paths and degree programs in-depth for recent graduates and those considering their next technology degree. Unless a person volunteers information about their degree and the college of their choosing, employers usually won't know whether a student earned a degree online or in a classroom. Penn State’s Cyber Security Analytics and Operations Major, 7 Best Cyber Security Certifications For Beginners, 6 Best Programming Languages to Learn for Cyber Security, Everything You Need To Know About The CySA+ – Tips, Alternatives, and Study Materials, Is the CEH Worth It? Computer science feels more like an everyone for themselves type of mentality. With hundreds of schools offering programs, dozens of degree focuses and even more professional certs to study for, it pays to be prepared. If you are looking to get into cyber security by the more formal “degree route”, you will be confronted with the decision between choosing whether you should get a computer science degree or a cyber security degree. Cybersecurity vs. Computer Science Degrees | Maryville Online Free online.maryville.edu A computer science degree has a broader focus than a degree in cybersecurity , which provides a much more comprehensive examination of that field. On October 23rd, Excelsior College presented a webinar explaining the differences between IT and cybersecurity degrees and the opportunities available to expand your career in each discipline. The computer science degree is definitely much broader (a lot of systems, algos, dev) and the security courses in that program are good but not great. Being a late-career cybersecurity analyst puts you in an elite category of this job role. The generalize then specialize approach is very applicable with the comp sci degree route into cyber security. Nowadays, employers respect an online cybersecurity degree just as they would a traditional degree earned in a brick-and-mortar program. This presents prospective students with a serious dilemma. A cybersecurity certificate is generally tied to an educational program and represents the completion of coursework. And cyber security, a subset of it. “Generalize then specialize” is a very valid concept and a great approach to cyber security. Many colleges have recognized the difference between computer science and cyber security and offer separate programs. Information security. What is OneTranscript and how does it work? The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Excelsior College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and our IT program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. Visit our Events Page at https://www.excelsior.edu/events/to see a listing of upcoming webinars. This degree program is at the cutting edge of cyber security and it very technical and difficult. This does not influence our evaluations. If you chose this route, make sure you are not neglecting the computing theory even if you have to learn this information on your own time. A recording of this webinar is available at the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5914906766897405196 . In large metropolitan areas, salaries for those with cybersecurity degrees have been outpacing salaries for most general information technology positions. To secure data and make sure it is safe. Professionals considering an advanced cybersecurity or computer science degree often weigh other common questions: What career options are available for computer science and cybersecurity? Cyber security degree programs also allow you to network with other security students and form clubs and organizations around specific interests. Three significant factors differentiate a cybersecurity degree from a computer science degree. Information systems security. Is my employer an Excelsior College Partner? Cybersecurity Technology Programs Bachelor's Degree Careers. Computer security. Information technology, Sprissler explained, is a broad term for careers and degree programs that cover a wide range of skills, including network administration, web design and development, database administration, software development, and even cybersecurity operations. They have a passion for technology and are intrigued by the problems posed by cyber criminals, cryptography, and the laws and ethics surrounding privacy and intellectual property. Written by Jackie Buchy on June 30, 2016.Posted in Cyber Security Degree.What’s the difference between cyber security and IT security?There are many overlapping areas between these two terms, but what’s the technical difference? This does not influence our evaluations. Cybersecurity Analytics vs. Cybersecurity Engineering. A cybersecurity certificate is generally tied to an educational program and represents the completion of coursework. You'll need to have a deeper understanding of everything that happens in … Those in the late stage of their career make up only 3.8% of all cybersecurity analysts, and they can expect around a 36% increase in pay (equaling around $102,000). Degree: Cybersecurity Certificate – add to BS in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. Computer science degrees are very technical and can be very valuable for cyber security jobs. CYBERSECURITY DEGREE. I have included this information not to promote Penn State University, but to illustrate a more technical program that will really prepare you for a career in cyber security. Cyber Security vs. Software Engineering: Which […] Let’s face it, computer science is a notoriously difficult degree. Choosing a certification is a decision that must not be taken lightly. While IT degree programs and job descriptions include a level of information security literacy, “cybersecurity” refers to a narrowly focused set of skills that includes cyber operations, information assurance, risk analysis, incident analysis, and digital forensics. How Do You Choose Which Degree Is Right for You? My Excelsior Support Resources Areas of Study Tuition and Aid Admissions About, Excelsior College 7 Columbia Circle Albany, NY 12203-5159, We use cookies to ensure the best web experience possible. They forecast 32% more Info Sec jobs to 2028. Cybersecurity certificate programs are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level and can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years to complete. Cybersecurity degree-holders may also embark on careers as cryptographers. Cybersecurity Jobs are on the Rise. Information technology security. But if you do know how to code you will boost your productivity and make you an extremely valuable member of your cyber security team. Computer science degree vs cyber security degree? Students who pursue cyber security are generally highly analytical problem solvers. Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree will deepen your cybersecurity-specific skills or, if working in IT, expand your general knowledge base. Both computer science and cyber security degrees will get you a job in cyber security. A degree in cybersecurity is equally beneficial in the job market. Cybersecurity is experiencing a severe shortage of talent today. According to estimates, the global cybersecurity workforce will have more than 3.5 million unfilled positions by 2021. In my personal experience, cyber security university staff will do whatever it takes to ensure that every student that is willing to do the work will be successful! If you are very technical and are willing to learn security on your own time and get involved with the cyber security community, comp sci may be the best route for you. If you go this route you will have to make an extra effort to get involved with cyber security clubs and organizations, but if you do it right it will pay dividends! Most comp sci degree programs have many “weed out” courses where they try to cut out the students who cannot pass. Cybersecurity Certificates . Your degree in network security can be applied to other security-related jobs. That aside, info sec is a wider field. Cyber Security vs Computer Science Degree – Which is Right for You? Romano-Arnold explained that the federal government is always seeking qualified staff to fill mission-critical workforce occupations like cyber incident response, cyber risk and strategic analysis, vulnerability detection, network and systems engineering, software assurance, and more. If you’re looking to take the next step in yours, here are five reasons why earning a cybersecurity degree is worth it. On the other hand, some schools provide a “cyber security degree” that is nothing more than an information technology degree with a class or two that focuses on security. It also shows that the degree-holder has vast amounts of knowledge on the subject, as gaining a degree in fields like cybersecurity, mathematics, or computer science is not an easy task. For general inquiries, Admissions, Office of Registration and Records, Examinations Test Administration Office, and the Center for Military and Veteran Education: Information technology (IT) and cybersecurity are two of the most in-demand careers you can enter. Degree Cybersecurity Certificates. Cyber security jobs are on the rise Before deciding whether a Cyber Security degree is worth it, consider these facts. An Information Security Analyst or Info Sec Analyst is not the same as a Cyber Security Analyst. Studies show that 46% of those who transition from IT to cybersecurity say their IT career helped them gain experience with different types of technologies. Misericordia University. I will use Penn State’s Cyber Security Analytics and Operations Major as an example. Information Security Analyst vs Cyber Security Analyst. Is a Cybersecurity Degree a Good Choice For Me? However, individuals interested in pursuing a career in IT may be at a loss of the benefits of a degree in cybersecurity vs. software engineering. Cyber security (or cybersecurity). Often, many students aspire to earn an Associate degree in a computer related major and then plan to continue forth on to a bachelor’s program and beyond. If you are looking to get into cyber security by the more formal “degree route”, you will be confronted with the decision between choosing whether you should get a computer science degree or a cyber security degree. Given that most jobs expect a 5% growth spurt, the future in cyber security looks bright. Cryptographers often ply their craft in workplaces where the protection and transmission of data is extremely sensitive, such as in government agencies. You’ve heard about all of the enriching benefits of higher education. In my experience in taking both cyber security and computer science courses, cyber security professors and staff are much more supportive in ensuring that all students can succeed. While the IT and cybersecurity fields run parallel, there are some nuances to each that perspective students should be aware of when considering a degree program. Computer science degree vs cyber security degree? Most degrees in cybersecurity cover technical aspects of the subject such as the security of various operational systems, network security, and cloud security, while also coverin… Compounding the problem is cybersecurity’s … It might be said that cyber security students are detectives or investigators and that the virtual world is their jurisdiction. This page shows a selection of the available Bachelors programmes in Australia. The most important thing you can do to advance your career is to advance your education. Or do you want to be the person in the room that can answer why it works? One of the hot topics that will always come up when evaluating computer science vs. cybersecurity is the cost of the degree. 7 Facts to consider about the value of a Cyber Security degree. Many … Many other degree programs like engineering and comp sci have “weed-out courses” that are geared towards thinning out the heard because those job markets are more competitive. Fill the Global Gap. This is by design; the cyber security industry is very broad and these degree programs are designed to introduce you to many of the areas within the field. To learn more about computer science degrees, read this article . At Excelsior, both degree tracks will provide you with strong foundational skills you’ll need as you further your career, like managing teams and/or departments, managing large projects, developing and enforcing policy, and knowledge of state and federal compliance laws. Degree vs. certification in the late career: Cybersecurity analyst. If you’re interested in learning more about Excelsior’s IT or cybersecurity programs, visit our technology degrees page at  https://www.excelsior.edu/programs/technology/. But let’s cut out the fluff and get straight to the statistics. You can learn more about how we use cookies in our, Corporate, Association, and Government Partners, Community College and Other Academic Partners, AAS in Administrative and Management Studies, Career and Professional Skills Training Courses, RN to MS in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems, MS in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems, BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Estimate Your Tuition and Time to Completion, Online Transcript Request for Students and Alumni, OneTranscript® Service for Non-Excelsior Students, Center for Military and Veteran Education, Credit for IT Certifications, Training, and Exams, Credit for Nursing Certifications and Licenses, Credit for FEMA Training and PMP Certification, No Application Fee until February 28 - Apply Today. Cybersecurity Certificate vs. Certification vs. Cyber security degrees range in difficulty widely. 4. … Finding a cyber security school is no easy task. 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