Cybersecurity Guide

Get the latest on cybersecurity training opportunities in Massachusetts

Written by Cybersecurity Guide Contributors – Last updated:
In this guide

This guide is a brief overview of the cybersecurity schools in Massachusetts. Included in the guide are other cybersecurity educational opportunities including online degrees and certification programs.

Massachusetts is best known for Boston, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard, but this small northeastern state has much more economic muscle than its tight borders would suggest.

Also known as The Bay State, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has far and away the largest economy in New England. Part of this muscle comes from its centuries-old and rich shipping industry, but the state has reinvented its economy several times over the years.

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Featured Cybersecurity Degree Programs

School NameProgram More Info
Southern New Hampshire UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity website
Syracuse UniversityOnline MS in Cybersecurity | Complete in 15 Months website
Utica UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity website
Purdue GlobalOnline BS in Cybersecurity website
UC Berkeley School of InformationMaster’s in Cybersecurity | No GRE/GMAT Required website

Presently, it has thriving business communities in technology, financial institutions, healthcare, education, and tourism. The Boston metropolitan region represents about 80 percent of the state’s economy, including its world-class healthcare and higher education institutions.

State powers have long adopted the attitude that Massachusetts will take a leadership role in whatever social and economic trends are molding society in general. In the late 20th century it was technology and healthcare. Later the state was at the forefront of environmental legislation, and more recently healthcare insurance for the masses.

One of the key ambitions of the state at present is to become a leading force in cybersecurity, both in terms of its preparation and attracting the best cybersecurity minds and enterprises to reside in Massachusetts.

So while Massachusetts’ rich and storied history is so often the topic of conversation, its present and future appear to be very bright in the cybersecurity department.

The growing importance of cybersecurity in Massachusetts

Healthcare and financial institutions have long been among the leading economic forces in Massachusetts. These days, they are also among the leading targets for cyber hackers.

There are 12 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Massachusetts. Three of those are financial intermediaries – State Street Corp., Liberty Mutual, and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. And the state is a major center for venture capitalists.

Massachusetts made a concerted effort in the late 20th century to attract technology companies of all types and make itself a center of technology. The efforts were successful.

Other members of the Fortune 500 based in Massachusetts include General Electric, Boston Scientific, Raytheon, Biogen, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

In recent years, the state government has sought to teach government employees and citizens about the dangers of information security breaches. It has also offered educational resources to assist local governments in safeguarding their systems and data.

The state also launched MassCyberCenter in September 2017 to prepare residents and organizations for cyber attacks to foster its cybersecurity ecosystem, and position it as a leader in information security services and research.

Other cybersecurity organizations in Massachusetts:

  • Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC): While not solely focused on cybersecurity, MassTLC frequently addresses cybersecurity issues through its various events, seminars, and forums.
  • Massachusetts Cybersecurity Strategy Council: Established to advise the governor on future cybersecurity initiatives and how to grow the state’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
  • BSides Boston: BSides is a community-driven framework for hosting grassroots cybersecurity conferences worldwide. BSides Boston is the local iteration of this conference.
  • Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS): A state agency that provides cybersecurity services to state government agencies.
  • Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Division: A division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office that investigates and prosecutes cybercrime.
  • Comptroller’s Cybersecurity Center: A division of the Massachusetts Comptroller’s Office that provides cybersecurity services to state government agencies.

Cybersecurity education in Massachusetts

As the state government makes strides to pull Massachusetts into a cybersecurity leadership role, education options are beginning to take root.

One of the big draws for Massachusetts students is the number of quality higher learning institutions, particularly in the Boston area.

Although Massachusetts has made significant progress in cybersecurity education, there is still more work to be done. The digital threat landscape is constantly changing, and the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is growing.

Learn more about cybersecurity programs

Cybersecurity Associate degrees in Massachusetts

  1. Massachusetts Bay Community College

    Wellesley Hills & Framingham, Massachusetts
    Program: Associate in Science in Cybersecurity
    Credits: 64-67
    Cost per credit: $234 in state | $440 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity Bachelor’s degrees in Massachusetts

At a minimum, bachelor’s degrees are now required for most information security career paths. And while a degree in most technology or STEM disciplines is often acceptable, degrees in some cybersecurity disciplines give applicants an upper hand.

Campus-based bachelor’s degree

  1. Assumption College

    Worcester, Massachusetts
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $1,556 in-state | $1,556 out-of-state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Northeastern University

    Boston, Massachusetts
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-R, CAE-CO
    Credits: 133
    Cost per credit: $1,777 in-state | $1,777 out-of-state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

Online bachelor’s degree

  1. Bay Path University

    Longmeadow, Massachusetts
    Program: Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 129
    Cost per credit: $1,154 in-state | $1,154 out-of-state
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity Master’s degrees in Massachusetts

Master’s degrees in cybersecurity are becoming more common, and are the preferred path for senior cybersecurity professionals in a corporate setting.

For those destined for non-corporate environments, master’s degrees are also highly recommended for careers in cybersecurity consulting, academics, or research. And, of course, continuing to a Ph.D. will help advance an infosec career even further.

Campus-based master’s degree

  1. Northeastern University

    Boston, Massachusetts
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-R
    Credits: 32
    Cost per credit: $1,570
    Delivery Method: Campus
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

    Worcester, Massachusetts
    Program: Master’s in Cyber Security
    CAE designation: CAE-R
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $1,610
    Delivery Method: Campus
    GRE/GMAT Required: Required
    Learn more: Program details

Online master’s degree

  1. Bay Path University

    Longmeadow, Massachusetts
    Program: Online MS in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $880
    Delivery Method: Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Northeastern University

    Boston, Massachusetts
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-R
    Credits: 32
    Cost per credit: $1,570
    Delivery Method: Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity PhD degrees in Massachusetts

  1. Northeastern University

    Boston, Massachusetts
    Program: Ph.D. in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-R
    Credits: 48
    Cost per credit: $1,625
    Delivery Method: Campus
    GRE/GMAT Required: Optional
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity certifications in Massachusetts

Some cybersecurity certifications are designed to provide an introduction to information security and potentially a foot in the door, or at least a step up on attaining a degree.

Other certification programs are intended for those currently working in cybersecurity to further their education, or even as a substitute to a full advanced degree.

Both types of certificates are available through Massachusetts learning institutions, with an emphasis on advanced certificates.

  1. Bristol Community College

    Fall River, Massachusetts
    Program: Cybersecurity Certificate
    Credits: 22
    Cost per credit: $220 in state | $426 out of state
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Holyoke Community College

    Holyoke, Massachusetts
    Program: Cybersecurity Certificate
    Credits: 27
    Cost per credit: $24 in state | $230 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Massachusetts Bay Community College

    Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts
    Program: Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate
    Credits: 24
    Cost per credit: $234 in state | $440 out of state
    Delivery Method: Hybrid
    Learn more: Program details

  4. Mount Wachusett Community College

    Gardner, Massachusetts
    Program: Cyber Security Certificate
    Credits: 24
    Cost per credit: $25 in state | $230 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  5. Quinsigamond Community College

    Worcester, Massachusetts
    Program: Cyber Security Certificate
    Credits: 27
    Cost per credit: $211 in state | $417 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  6. Springfield Technical Community College

    Springfield, Massachusetts
    Program: Certificate of Completion in Cybersecurity
    Credits: 28
    Cost per credit: $25 in state | $242 out of state
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity bootcamps in Massachusetts

  1. Morgan State University

    Baltimore, Massachusettsryland
    Program: Cybersecurity Bootcamp
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 6 months
    Cost per credit: $4,275
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

    Worcester, Massachusetts
    Program: Cybersecurity Boot Camp
    CAE designation: CAE-R
    Credits: 24 Weeks
    Cost per credit: $4,275
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity jobs in Massachusetts

Among Northeast US states, Massachusetts and New York stand out as hot spots for cybersecurity activity. What Massachusetts lacks in physical size it makes up for in economic power. And the focus of the economy is one reason cybersecurity is so critical.

Healthcare and education organizations were by far the largest employers in the state in 2019, while the second largest employment sector in Massachusetts is professional and business services, also prolific sources of confidential data.

Healthcare companies have become a favored target for hackers due to the large amount of personal and confidential information they procure and store.

According to Cyberseek, Massachusetts had just over 30,160 people employed in cybersecurity-related positions and about 11,397 cybersecurity job openings were posted.

Of those openings, more than 9,911 were in the Boston metropolitan area. Boston has an extremely high concentration of health and education institutions, not to mention being the second biggest financial center in the Northeast behind New York City.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that cybersecurity analysts in Massachusetts earned an average of $62.26 per hour and an average annual salary of $129,500.

Both pay rates are well above the national averages. The one downside of Massachusetts is its high standard of living and high tax burden. Both are among the highest in the country.

Still, there will be plenty of lucrative employment opportunities in Massachusetts, and the Boston area in particular, for years to come.

The list of cybersecurity job titles in Massachusetts is headlined by the following:

Cybersecurity in Massachusetts

Since its earliest days, even as a colony, Massachusetts has always defied its small size and been a major force economically. While its access to the Atlantic Ocean has provided an advantage, the people of Massachusetts continue to adopt an attitude of leadership.

Today, the Commonwealth is determined to be a leader in cybersecurity, and there is no reason to doubt that it will accomplish just that.

The state certainly has plenty of highly regarded, and even elite colleges and universities to train and educate tomorrow’s cybersecurity leaders. And the government is fully behind in developing the technology and capacity to keep Massachusetts’ information safe.

Like everywhere else, there is already a shortage of qualified professionals, and demand is growing rapidly.