The demand for skilled cyber professionals is growing, and the pool of qualified candidates to fill those roles is not keeping the pace fast enough. According to the Cyber Security Skills Gap Report by the Cyber Security Skills Council, an organization dedicated to accelerating the adoption of cybersecurity best practices, there will be more than 1.8 million cyber security job openings by 2027 in the U.S. alone.
This shortage of qualified workers has led many organizations to rethink their hiring strategies and adopt new standards when it comes to transparency and trustworthy applicants. Many companies are now demanding evidence that potential employees have the necessary skills before extending job offers.
One way to do that is with a degree from a reputable online school in cyber security that can help you land your first job after graduation or as a stepping stone toward an advanced degree program—both desirable outcomes for anyone looking forward to a long career in this field.
In this article, we’ll cover 5 of the very best online degree programs for cyber security as well as some important considerations before choosing one of them.
What is a degree in cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is a field of study that focuses on the protection of information technology systems, such as networks, computers, and smartphones, from theft or damage to their hardware or software components, as well as from disruption or misdirection of their functionality.
Anyone with an interest in cybersecurity can choose to pursue a career in the field, but if you’re looking to start with a degree program, you’ll want to choose one that focuses on securing IT networks and computer systems.
These programs will likely include study in subjects like network defense and forensics, cryptography, software development and risk management, and will prepare you to pursue a career in network defense and security analysis, software development, or management. Some programs will even help you prepare to take information security certification exams.
Top 5 Choices for Online Degree Schools in Cybersecurity
– New York University: The Department of Computer Science at New York University offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science – Cybersecurity track that prepares students to pursue careers in areas such as network defense, intrusion analysis and threat detection.
The curriculum includes coursework in applied cryptography and network security, as well as courses in computer science fundamentals, artificial intelligence and software development.
Students in this program can choose to specialize in data science or software engineering. -University of Southern California: The Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Risk Management (CSRM) that prepares students for careers in network defense, cryptography, and cyber intelligence risk analysis.
The curriculum includes courses in applied mathematics, cryptography, data science, and computer networking and security. Students in this program can choose to specialize in computer networking and security or computer security and risk management.
– Arizona State University: The Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a specialization in cybersecurity that prepares students for careers in network defense and cyber intelligence and risk analysis.
The curriculum includes courses in applied mathematics, computer systems, and computer networking and security. Students in this program can also choose to specialize in electrical engineering with a focus on embedded systems and cyber-physical systems.
– Penn State University: The Penn State School of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in information assurance and cybersecurity that prepares students for careers in network defense and cyber intelligence and risk analysis.
The curriculum includes courses in applied mathematics, computer system organization, and applied cryptography. Students in this program can also choose to specialize in information systems (IS) with a focus on software development and management.
– The University of Texas at Austin: The Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in cybersecurity that prepares students for careers in network defense and cyber intelligence and risk analysis.
The curriculum includes courses in applied mathematics, computer system organization and programming. Students in this program can also choose to specialize in information and software systems (IS) with a focus on data science and management.
How to decide which program is right for you
With so many degree programs to choose from, it can be challenging to figure out which is best for you. The best way to approach this is to start by researching the degree programs available at the schools you’re considering, and then considering your strengths, interests, and career aspirations.
Once you’ve done some digging, you can use this information to help you decide which program is right for you. You can also consider the following factors when choosing between programs:
– Length of time and cost – Some degree programs take less time to complete than others, and some have longer graduation rates. Generally, the longer the program takes to complete, the higher the cost. Also, different schools may charge more or less for their programs.
– Specializations and areas of focus – Some degree programs are more general, while others are more specialized. You might want to consider a more specialized program if you’re interested in a specific type of cybersecurity.
– Availability of online degree programs – If you’re not interested in attending a traditional brick-and-mortar school, you’ll want to make sure there’s an online degree program for the program you’re interested in.
– School’s reputation – This factor applies to both online and traditional programs. Make sure to do plenty of research on the schools you’re interested in to decide which is best suited to you.
Online Degree Schools With a Focus on Networking, Software Development and Data Science
– University of Southern California: The Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Risk Management (CSRM) that prepares students for careers in network defense, cryptography and cyber intelligence risk analysis.
The curriculum includes courses in applied mathematics, cryptography, data science, and computer networking and security. Students in this program can choose to specialize in computer networking and security or computer security and risk management.
– Penn State University: The Penn State School of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in information assurance and cybersecurity that prepares students for careers in network defense and cyber intelligence and risk analysis.
The curriculum includes courses in applied mathematics, computer system organization, and applied cryptography. Students in this program can also choose to specialize in information systems (IS) with a focus on software development and management.
– The University of Texas at Austin: The Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in cybersecurity that prepares students for careers in network defense and cyber intelligence and risk analysis.
The curriculum includes courses in applied mathematics, computer system organization and programming. Students in this program can also choose to specialize in information and software systems (IS) with a focus on data science and management.
Online Degree Schools Programs With a Focus on Computer Science
– New York University: The Department of Computer Science at New York University offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science – Cybersecurity track that prepares students to pursue careers in areas such as network defense, intrusion analysis and threat detection.
The curriculum includes coursework in applied cryptography and network security, as well as courses in computer science fundamentals, artificial intelligence and software development.
– Arizona State University: The Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a specialization in cybersecurity that prepares students for careers in network defense and cyber intelligence and risk analysis.
The curriculum includes courses in applied mathematics, computer systems, and computer networking and security. Students in this program can also choose to specialize in electrical engineering with a focus on embedded systems and cyber-physical systems.
– The University of Texas at Austin: The Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in Cybersecurity that prepares students for careers in network defense and cyber intelligence and risk analysis.
The curriculum includes courses in applied mathematics, computer system organization, and applied cryptography. Students in this program can also choose to specialize in information and software systems (IS) with a focus on data science and management.
– The University of California, Berkeley: The College of Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in cybersecurity that prepares students for careers in network defense and cyber intelligence and risk analysis.
The curriculum includes courses in applied mathematics, computer systems and networks, and machine learning. Students in this program can also choose to specialize in artificial intelligence and robotics.
– The University of Virginia: The Engineering School at the University of Virginia offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in information assurance and cybersecurity that prepares students for careers in network defense and cyber intelligence and risk.
Online Degree Programs With a Focus on Network Defense and Detection
Cyber defense is the process of protecting computer networks from malicious attacks. It involves identifying and analyzing vulnerabilities in existing systems and developing appropriate countermeasures to eliminate or reduce the risk of cyber-attacks.
Network defense engineers specialize in identifying and sealing off weak points in computer networks using various security technologies. Just like network engineers, network defense engineers also look for weaknesses in existing systems and recommend appropriate countermeasures if vulnerabilities are found.
They often work in collaboration with network engineers. There are a few online degree programs that focus on network defense and detection. One such program is offered by VPI. The program focuses on developing strong defensive strategies to protect computer networks against various cyber threats.
The curriculum includes courses such as computer security, information assurance, and risk management. Students can complete this program in as little as 8 months.
The University of Central Florida’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program is a viable option for students looking to pursue an online degree program in network defense. The program is designed for students who are keen on pursuing a career in network defense.
Students who complete this program can look forward to careers as network defense engineers. Another excellent choice for students looking to pursue an online degree program in network defense is the University of Southern California’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a focus on Cybersecurity.
The curriculum of this program includes courses such as computer security, computer networks, cryptography, and software engineering. Students who complete this program can look forward to careers as network defense engineers.
Degree Program with a focus on Cloud Security and Big Data Analytics
Cloud security is an emerging field in cybersecurity that focuses on protecting computer networks from malicious attacks. Cloud security engineers are responsible for designing and implementing security measures to protect data that is stored in cloud environments.
They also design defensive strategies and countermeasures to protect cloud systems from cyber-attacks. A few online degree programs with a focus on cloud security and big data analytics are the University of Southern California’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program, VPI’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program, and the University of Maryland’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program.
Students who complete any of these programs can look forward to careers as network engineers and network defense engineers.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries, and now is the perfect time to enter the field. Many online degree programs have been designed to meet the growing demand for cyber professionals with the necessary skills.
We’ve covered 5 of the best online degree schools programs with a focus on networking, software development, and data science, as well as network defense and detection, cloud security, and big data analytics. We hope you find this article helpful when choosing the best program for you.