Cybersecurity degrees in Indiana — Your guide to choosing a school

This is a comprehensive guide to cybersecurity schools in Indiana. The guide also includes information about related cybersecurity degree and training options in the state.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Master’s Degree Programs
Online Master’s Degree Programs
Ph.D. Degree Programs
Online Certification Programs

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Since the 1970s, no state has ever produced more steel than Indiana. Ohio is the second-largest producer, however, their yearly production is just half that of Indiana’s. 

Manufacturing is the backbone of Indiana’s economy: after office and administrative support, the production industry is Indiana’s leading employer. 

Ten years ago Indiana’s manufacturing output totaled just under $69 billion. By 2018 that number had grown to $100 billion in output and the number of manufacturing jobs in the state had increased by 25 percent. Robust as that growth has been, experts expect the trend to continue into the next decade. 

That’s good for Indiana but what does it have to do with cybersecurity?

The manufacturing industry is increasingly high-tech. Advanced technologies like 3D printing and precision robotics make great products but they’re susceptible to a wide range of cyberthreats. 

Improperly secured devices can be hacked giving the attacker access to sensitive engineering information. Alternatively, a bad actor can disable machinery leading to costly production delays. 

As the number of attack vectors rises so does the demand for cyber protection. Although Indiana will never have the same demand for cybersecurity personal as a state like California, there is nonetheless a growing opportunity for those with the right credentials. 

This guide covers the basics of getting a cybersecurity education in Indiana as well as the state of the job market for those who graduate from an accredited program. 

Cybersecurity in Indiana 

Several recent initiatives prove that Indiana takes cybersecurity seriously. Since 2018 they’ve hosted the Cybertech Midwest conference. The Cybertech conference is a gathering of national and international cybersecurity experts. 

Some of the topics discussed at the conference include major cyber threats, new technologies, strategies to combat cyber attacks as well as specific advice concerning cybersecurity in the government, infrastructure, and retail sectors. 

With some of the biggest names in the industry speaking the conference has proven successful and appears likely to become an annual event in Indianapolis. 

In addition, Indiana has drafted a comprehensive report on cybersecurity and the risks that cyberthreats pose to the state. The report acknowledges, “The reality of interconnectivity is that cyber risks manifest at an unprecedented pace and can pose a profound effect on citizens, organizations, and industries.”

The report is further evidence of Indiana’s awareness of the need for a robust cybersecurity industry. 

Finally, Indiana has embraced the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) framework. A national program, NICE is an attempt to introduce uniform language regarding cybersecurity work. 

Provided other states adopt the program a cybersecurity technician trained in Indiana could work in Hawaii or Maine without having to learn a new lexicon and set of operating procedures. 

That Indiana has gone forward with NICE proves that they’re committed to cybersecurity and giving every advantage to those who work in the field. 

Cybersecurity educational opportunities in Indiana

ASSOCIATE’S DEGREES

Online cybersecurity associate degrees in Indiana  

Currently, there is only one college in Indiana offering an online cybersecurity associate degree. Ivy Tech Community College offers the following courses. 

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Cyber Security-Information Assurance 
• Associate of Science degree in Cyber Security/Information Assurance 

An associate degree in cybersecurity is a good place to start. The degree can prepare the candidate for the further certifications he or she will need to secure a good job later on.  

BACHELOR’S DEGREES

A step above an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree can be the foot in the door that lands a graduate a first cybersecurity job. 

Students studying for their bachelor’s degree can expect to be exposed to a host of new topics and teachings in the cybersecurity field. That may include programming, computer science, network infrastructure as well as security best practices. 

Campus-based cybersecurity bachelor’s degree in Indiana 

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree can expect to take 30 to 40 classes totaling 120 credit hours. Besides cybersecurity-related themes, required coursework includes alternative classes like English literature or mathematics. 

The following chart presents a comprehensive overview of all of the cybersecurity bachelor’s programs in Indiana. 

MASTER’S DEGREE

A candidate with a master’s degree in cybersecurity is more likely to get hired as well as earn a higher wage. The additional training will prepare them to fill more roles in a company as well as deal with more challenging threats. 

Technicians with a bachelor’s degree, who are already working in the cybersecurity field, may also find that a master’s degree is necessary to advance in the company. 

Currently, Indiana offers both a campus-based and online cybersecurity master’s degree. 

Campus-based cybersecurity master’s degrees in Indiana

There are two types of cybersecurity degrees offered by Indiana’s universities: an interdisciplinary program in information security and a master of science in secure computing.  

To learn more about these programs please see the table. 

Online cybersecurity master’s degree programs

In addition to campus-based programs, there are additional cybersecurity master’s degrees available online.

For more information on the online programs please see the table below. 

PH.D. DEGREE

A doctoral degree in cybersecurity (Ph.D.) is the highest degree in the field. It’s primarily meant for individuals who would like to work in academia, for one of America’s three-letter agencies or at the highest levels in a company. 

Given Indiana’s small population they have a surprising number of Ph.D. programs available. Please find out more below. 

CERTIFICATIONS

Additional certifications look great on a resume and may be mandatory for certain positions within the cybersecurity industry. 

For those interested Indiana offers a number of certifications. Two certifications can be completed on campus, the rest are only available online.   

Campus-based cybersecurity certification programs

• A graduate certificate in cybersecurity from Indiana University Bloomington 
• A health information security certificate from Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
• Valparaiso University has two certificates: One in Information Assurance and the other with Information Security.

Online cybersecurity certification programs

Cybersecurity jobs in Indiana 

Nationwide there are more cybersecurity positions than there are qualified candidates to fill them. Indiana is no exception. 

Between 2010 and 2014, for instance, the research firm Burning Glass found an increase of 163 percent in cybersecurity job postings for Indiana. That trend has continued to today and qualified technicians can expect to pick and choose between employers. 

On top of that high demand for technicians, Burning Glass also found that cybersecurity jobs pay on average 9 percent more than other IT jobs. Firms are increasingly recognizing the importance of protecting their digital systems and are willing to pay commensurately. 

Cybersecurity in Indiana 

Indiana might not be the first state people think of when it comes to cybersecurity, however, as their manufacturing industry becomes increasingly automated the demand for cybersecurity technicians continues to rise. 

For those looking to take advantage of that demand by gaining an education in cybersecurity, Indiana is a surprisingly good choice. The state has a respectable selection of both undergraduate and graduate programs available, covering several different disciplines in cybersecurity.