12 Best Majors and Degrees for a Cybersecurity Career

Daily internet use is inevitable, making individuals vulnerable to cybercriminals. Cybersecurity professionals are trained to neutralize these criminals. If this career interests you, here are 12 of the best cybersecurity majors.

12 Best Cybersecurity Majors

These majors are found under various schools per higher education institute. Some cybersecurity programs can be found under: The School of Business, The School of Technology, or The School of Cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity can be a minor, concentration, or certification as part of these majors.

1. Cloud Computing

In a more recent degree, cloud computing is also referred to as a form of utility computing and provides customers a service on an as-needed basis.

Cloud computing is a type of computing that enables on-demand computing resources, applications, and processing via the Internet.

It relies on sharing computing resources with multiple parties, thereby minimizing local hardware and software use such as Google Cloud, Microsoft Aure, and Amazon AWS.

With these systems providing hackers an expansive playground, cloud computing professionals are in great demand.

2. Computer (Hardware) Engineering

Computer hardware engineering is often interchangeable with computer engineering.

A student will learn to build and test hardware and perform and administer diagnostics, as well as work with electronic circuitry and other computing accessories.

Computer engineering also focuses on CPUs, memory, and hardware like switches and routers.

This program is often paired with cybersecurity because cybersecurity professionals protect the networks and hardware. Depending on the program, this program may require a capstone to graduate.

3. Computer Forensics

A degree in computer forensics prepares students to work with law enforcement and criminal justice systems.

Students will learn how to analyze, collect, and preserve data computing systems. They also cover the process of recovering data from corrupted or deleted hardware.

Pairing this degree with a cybersecurity track allows professionals to dive deeper into criminals' pathways of destruction as secure evidence they did not know they left behind.

4. Computer Programming

Commonly known as software engineering or software development, computer programming is a major for cybersecurity professionals that involves investigating and creating software.

Compiling, debugging, and writing code are skills that cybersecurity computer programmers learn. In addition, they discover how to provide instructions to computers for solving problems and completing tasks.

Cybersecurity software developers will develop software that combats malware and other malicious software in computer systems.

Having a degree in computer programming with a concentration or certification in cybersecurity gives a professional edge because students will know how to protect the networks and the software.

5. Computer Science

Computer science is the broad field of studying computing and computers. Cybersecurity is a subsection under this field and coursework often overlaps.

Computer scientists focus on building programs and using code, focusing on software engineering. Some colleges and universities do not offer cybersecurity as a major but as a specialization or concentration under a computer science major.

Some institutions of higher education provide certificate programs for computer science majors to gain a specialization in cybersecurity.

6. Cyber Operations

The field of cyber operations is often considered the military's focus, but civilians can excel in this area, too. A cyber operations major focuses on the process of gathering real-time criminal and foreign intelligence threats.

Its goal is to protect against terrorist activities, foreign sabotage, espionage, and inside threats. Coupled with cybersecurity, a cyber operation can analyze networks, perform tactical forensics, and execute on-net operations.

While in school, future professionals will learn things like reverse engineering and hardware analysis.

7. Database Management

Database management is a major for meticulous individuals due to the amount of organization they will perform.

A database management professional will learn information management, programming, design, and reporting to organize databases.

Under this major, encryption and access and authorization protocols for various database systems like Oracle and Microsoft are learned. Accompanied by cybersecurity, software can be created to maintain the health of databases and data logs.

8. Information Science

Information science is an interesting field because it examines technology and how it relates to computer users' cultural and cognitive knowledge.

These scientists look at computing in the big picture view to solve and plan for problems that can and will arise on networks and computers.

Information scientists must also command a knowledge of policy, ethical, and legal considerations for clients and society. When information science is combined with cybersecurity, it explores the theories and researches cyber criminals.

9. Information Security and Assurance

By obtaining a degree in information security and assurance, an individual can develop, implement, and operate computer systems.

Future professionals are taught how to manage information transmission, processing, and storage. They also learn about the ethical and legal aspects of the field.

Data security is also taught concerning information security and assurance. Cybersecurity will be integrated into plans to tackle malicious activities online and through computer software.

10. Information Technology Management

Mixing computer science with business, information technology management is for those wanting to coordinate technology resources and provide oversight to all data, hardware, software, and networks.

Accompanied with cybersecurity credentials, an information technology manager can work in risk management, project management, or human resources.

Armed with people and technical skills, an information technology management professional will excel in leadership in managing a team of cybersecurity experts.

11. Machine Learning

Machine learning is a new emerging field in artificial intelligence (AI), training individuals to make algorithms and improving prediction models.

Via various learning environments, such as supervised, semi-supervised, and unsupervised, a machine learning expert will train to remove bias from networks in machine learning.

Machine learning includes image reconstruction, e-commerce personalization, and digital assistants. When studied in tandem with cybersecurity, machine learning specialists will be able to analyze and detect threats in real time.

12. Network Administration

Network administration is the job of overseeing the connectivity and functionality of devices and software. As a network administrator, an individual will perform upgrades and repairs, maintain security, and evaluate performance.

Network administrators take courses like cloud computing, local area networks, and VPN technologies. With network security being such an essential aspect of network administration, cybersecurity is a fantastic pairing with this field.

Pursuing a Cybersecurity Degree

If one of these majors sparks your interest, here is how to start your career journey.

Step 1: Earn a degree

Cybersecurity has entry-level positions that can be entered with an associate degree. Many employers require a bachelor's degree or higher, it is best to consider this when determining which degree is right for you.

Some positions may require a doctoral degree to advance in the field. It is a good idea to research the job you ultimately want and check out the degree requirements.

Step 2: Pass a Security Clearance

Cybersecurity deals with classified information and some positions may require security clearance from the Department of Defense.

Many agencies, companies, and organizations require cybersecurity professionals to pass a security background check.

Step 3: Continue Education

With the world of technology constantly changing, cybersecurity professionals need to continue to advance with it.

Therefore, many employers require a master's degree or certificates to advance their staff's skills.

Earn Your Cybersecurity Degree Today

Earning a degree in cybersecurity can open a world of problem-solving for the right person. If the university or college does not offer a specific cybersecurity program, there are majors that will guide you on your path.