Cybersecurity degrees in Connecticut — Guide to choosing a school

This guide is all about cybersecurity schools in Connecticut. It also contains information about the cybersecurity certification and online training options available in the state.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Master’s Degree Programs
Certification Programs

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Connecticut is all about insurance. With 2.7 percent of all working adults employed in some capacity by the insurance industry, Connecticut is the number one state in the country in terms of per capita insurance employment. 

Those jobs tend to be well paying, well above the national average, and they benefit not only the employees who work them but also the state. It’s estimated that each year the insurance industry contributes $14 billion to Connecticut’s GSP (Gross State Product). 

In addition to being America’s insurance capital, Connecticut is also known for supplying America’s military. Electric Boat (a division of General Electric) recently signed a hefty $22 billion contract with the Navy. Under the terms of the contract, Electric Boat will build nine new submarines at an impressive cost of just under $2.5 billion per vessel.  

These submarines will be the most advanced models ever built and their design specifications will be a closely guarded secret. China is infamous for “borrowing” military plans and that’s a practice the US would like to put an end to. 

But what can insurance and naval construction possibly have in common? The answer is simple: strong demand for cybersecurity personnel. 

As cybercrime becomes increasingly sophisticated banking losses can run into the hundreds of millions. That’s a large number on its own, however, taken together the figures are even more staggering. One report estimates that “cybercrime will cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021.” 

With stakes this high, insurance companies are incentivized to push for increased cybersecurity within their own organizations and also in the organizations that they insure. And the risk of China gaining access to classified military documents is not a threat to be taken lightly. 

In summary; whether it’s guarding top-secret plans for nuclear submarines or protecting corporate assets, cybersecurity is a must. Thankfully Connecticut has proven proactive in their approach to combatting cybercrime. 

Cybersecurity in Connecticut  

For starters, Connecticut is determined to make sure that the 2020 election is not influenced by foreign actors. To protect the integrity of the voting process Connecticut will be taking advantage of $5 million allocated to the state for that express purpose. 

According to Denise Merrill, Connecticut’s Secretary of the State, “We want to make sure that we can do everything we can to make sure this is the smoothest election we’ve ever had.” That means preventing cyberattacks and educating the residents of Connecticut about the ins and outs of election fraud.  

In addition to election fraud monitoring, Connecticut has its own Cyber Task Force. Patricia M. Ferrick, the FBI Special Agent in charge of the task force, had this to say in regards to the group. 

“The Connecticut Cyber Task Force will address the significant increase in the number and frequency of cyber-attacks occurring in Connecticut. — It is our hope that this task force will make a significant impact and serve to better protect the citizens of Connecticut from the ever-changing criminal threats emanating from the internet.”  

Finally, Connecticut has created a comprehensive cybersecurity action plan designed to inform residents about proper cybersecurity practices and how to deal with a cyberattack should it take place. The report also touches upon the lack of cybersecurity technicians, stating; “We must place special attention on addressing the cybersecurity skills gap in our workforce, estimated to be over 4,000 unfilled jobs.” 

Those jobs have not been filled and as cybercrime becomes more common the demand for cybersecurity technicians in Connecticut is only going to rise. Truly there has never been a better time to pursue a degree in cybersecurity. 

ASSOCIATE’S DEGREES

Campus-based cybersecurity associate degrees in Connecticut 

Most cybersecurity careers require a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, an inexpensive associate’s degree that can be completed in two years may be a good fit for the right person. There are currently two campus-based options in Connecticut. 

• Capital Community College offers an A.S. in Computer Networking: Cybersecurity Option
• Norwalk Community College offers an A.S. in Computer Security

BACHELOR’S DEGREES

For most people interested in working in the cybersecurity sector a bachelor’s degree is the minimum level of education necessary to secure a good job. 

A four-year bachelor’s program will teach students how to diagnose and remedy a number of cybersecurity threats. Students may also take additional courses such as English literature, mathematics or statistics. 

Campus-based cybersecurity bachelor’s degree in Connecticut 

Connecticut currently has three campus-based cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programs. Please see the following table for more information. 

Online cybersecurity bachelor’s degree in Connecticut 

Online degrees allow students more flexibility which can be especially beneficial for those planning to work and study at the same time. There are currently two online bachelor’s degree programs in Connecticut.  

• Charter Oak State College offers a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security
• Post University offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems – Cybersecurity

MASTER’S DEGREE

A master’s degree makes it easier to find work and employees with a master’s typically earn a higher salary than those with a bachelor’s. 

Also, a master’s degree opens doors. Higher-level positions within a company may require a master’s, making this the degree of choice for those who aspire to upper management. 

Campus-based cybersecurity master’s degrees in Connecticut 

There are four campus-based cybersecurity master’s degree programs available in Connecticut. More information is available in the table below. 

Online cybersecurity master’s degrees in Connecticut 

Connecticut is unique in that the state offers several online master’s programs. Many states do not offer graduate degrees online, making Connecticut ideal for those who would like to pursue a master’s online.

The two online master’s degrees are as follows. 

• Quinnipiac University offers an Online Master of Science in Cyber Security
• The University of New Haven offers a Master of Science in Investigations – Digital Forensics

CERTIFICATIONS

A certification can help a candidate to land a better job or teach them a new skillset which may be required for the industry that they work in. 

Campus-based cybersecurity certification programs

There are half a dozen campus-based cybersecurity certification programs available in Connecticut. Please review the following table for more information. 

Online cybersecurity certification programs

Connecticut’s University of New Haven offers two online cybersecurity certification programs. 

• A Certificate in Cybercrime Investigations
• A Certificate in Digital Forensics Investigations

Cybersecurity jobs in Connecticut   

Currently, there are about 3,500 job openings for cybersecurity technicians in Connecticut. Similar to every other state in America, there are more open jobs than qualified candidates to fill them. 

Cybersecurity technicians with a degree from an accredited university should expect to have little trouble finding work in Connecticut. According to CyberSeek the supply of cybersecurity staff in the state is very low. 

Cybersecurity in Connecticut   

With a secretary of state who believes strongly in cybersecurity and dozens of educational opportunities for the aspiring student, Connecticut is a role model when it comes to cybersecurity. 

It’s helpful also that there are thousands of jobs and not enough qualified candidates to fill them. By the law of supply and demand that means that cybersecurity technicians in Connecticut can enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities. 

Whether they work in insurance, shipbuilding or any of Connecticut’s other fine industries, a cybersecurity technician can expect to earn a salary well above the national average.