The internet and digital technology continue to grow and become more central to everyday activity. And with that growth comes increased risks associated with a hyper-connected life.
Think about the headlines over the past few months: Massive data breaches, companies selling personal information, browsers snooping on your sessions — these are all examples of new security threats that will need a talented and well-trained workforce to contain and eliminate.
Data shows that cyber crime, including identity theft and fraud, are growing fears among all parts of the population.
According to a recent study by the Ponemon Institute, an independent research group that focuses on data and privacy, 61 percent of small and medium-sized businesses reported some kind of data attack in 2017.
If there is a silver lining in all of this, it’s that opportunities for cybersecurity experts are growing exponentially. What was once a speciality within computer science is now becoming its own field.
Cybersecurity is an evolving term and profession. It once referred to people who worked to control access to databases and computer networks that contain sensitive information (such as financial transactions or military intelligence).
But as cloud and mobile computing continue to grow and more applications and information than ever before can be accessed via the internet, the profession is changing to encompass broader security risks.
For example, companies that build multiplayer video games, or startups working on browser-based productivity apps, now all have to worry about user security in some way. And what that means are lots of job openings and competitive salaries.
But it also means that schools — at all levels from industry certification to Ph.D. programs — are developing new courses and curriculum to meet the industry’s growing need for qualified candidates that understand cybersecurity’s cutting edge.
Cybersecurity Guide was created to help prospective students and early career professionals navigate this new space and find the opportunities that best fit educational and career goals.
How to use Cybersecurity Guide
This guide is intended to provide actionable resources for everyone looking to learn more about the field. Organizationally, the site is broken into several major sections including:
CYBERSECURITY DEGREE OVERVIEW
Education is one of the primary building blocks of a cybersecurity career. Cybersecurity is a field that is both technical but also requires a deeper understanding of concepts such as criminal justice, psychology, and management. There are a number of different levels of cybersecurity degree available today — ranging from an associate’s degree program to Ph.D.-level programs. Some degrees programs are offered specifically in cybersecurity, while others offer cybersecurity as an emphasis or specialization.
OUR CYBERSECURITY DEGREE GUIDES BREAKS DOWN ALL OF THE OPTIONS
ONLINE CYBERSECURITY DEGREE OVERVIEW
It is possible to get a really high quality online education. One outcome of the COVID pandemic is that most colleges and universities were forced to invest in delivering coursework and programming via online platforms. The result is that now more than ever there are all levels of an online cybersecurity degree available including the popular online cybersecurity master’s degree. With so many options, the key is finding the right program fit.
OUR ONLINE CYBERSECURITY DEGREES GUIDES HAVE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION TO HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT ONLINE PROGRAM.
CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW
Cybersecurity certifications are an important part of the growing industry. There are two main buckets of cybersecurity certifications. The first are industry certifications, which are designed to demonstrate specific knowledge, or a specific skill set. These can range from expertise on a proprietary networking platform all the way to demonstrating knowledge as a certified ethical hacker.
Additionally, academic programs also offer cybersecurity certifications. These certifications can help with job competitiveness or career advancement. Most academic cybersecurity certification programs are designed for the post-baccalaureate level and many are geared toward teaching cybersecurity-specific leadership and management.
WE CREATED A COMPREHENSIVE CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATION GUIDE TO HELP GET STARTED
CYBERSECURITY CAREERS
There are numerous career pathways within the cybersecurity field. One interesting thing to note is that not all cybersecurity careers require a deeply technical background. There are numerous ways to launch a cybersecurity career that relate to investigations, policy creation, management, and leadership. There are also several different kinds of cybersecurity career pathways that can be accelerated or enhanced by obtaining an advanced degree (a master’s in cybersecurity is a popular option) or through graduate-level certifications.
OUR CAREER GUIDES CONTAIN JOB PROFILES AND BETTER EXPLAIN INDIVIDUAL CAREER PATHWAY OPTIONS
CYBERSECURITY RESOURCES
As mentioned earlier, the cybersecurity field is growing rapidly. With so much change, the information landscape around cybersecurity degree, certifications, and career options is very dynamic. That’s why we partner with writers with advanced cybersecurity knowledge and routinely interview experts in the field to keep tabs on what is happening. The result is a series of deep-dive informational resources that cover everything from cybersecurity scholarship options, to what to do if you have been a victim of a cyber attack.
OUR RESOURCE SECTION IS A COMPILATION OF RESEARCH AND EXPERT INPUT.
Regular updates
Please check back frequently as we are constantly adding new information and resources as they become available.
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