Cybersecurity Education Requirements: What Degree Do I Need?

<p>If you're looking to pursue a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Cyber_Security_Career_and_Salary_FAQs.html">career in cybersecurity</a>, you're probably wondering what education you'll need to enter the field. Are there specific degree programs or courses you should consider taking? </p> <p><b>You can typically pursue entry-level jobs in cybersecurity with an associate degree or bachelor's degree.</b> Advanced positions may require a graduate degree, while more concentrated cybersecurity jobs may require specific certifications or <a href="https://learn.org/articles/types_of_cybersecurity_specializations.html">cybersecurity specializations</a>. </p> <p>Keep reading for more information about the education necessary for a cybersecurity career. </p> <h2 id="section---EducationalRequirementsForAspiringCybersecurityProfessionals">Educational Requirements for Aspiring Cybersecurity Professionals</h2> <p>Depending on your career goals, you may need a specific degree or opt to further your studies with an advanced degree. Follow the tips outlined below to launch your cybersecurity career by meeting the educational requirements. </p> <h3 id="section---FindAnAccreditedInstitutionOfferingCybersecurityDegrees">Find an Accredited Institution Offering Cybersecurity Degrees</h3> <p>When choosing a cybersecurity degree program, it's important to make sure any school you consider is accredited. Accreditation proves the school meets basic educational standards, ensuring a high-quality education. </p> <h3 id="section---EarnABachelorSDegreeInCybersecurityOrARelatedField">Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity or a Related Field</h3> <p>Though it's possible to enter the cybersecurity field with only an associate degree or no degree at all, the most direct path to your new career is to obtain a bachelor's degree. Consider pursuing a Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity or a related field such as: </p> <ul><li>computer science </li><li>information security </li><li>information technology </li><li>computer engineering </li><li>computer systems </li></ul><h3 id="section---GetACybersecurityCertification">Get a Cybersecurity Certification</h3> <p>Pursuing optional certifications can make you a more desirable job candidate once you're ready to enter the workforce. Some cybersecurity roles may require specific certifications. Common professional certifications to consider include the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), as well as: </p> <ul><li>CompTIA Security+ </li><li>Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) </li><li>Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) </li><li>Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) </li></ul><h3 id="section---GainExperienceAndBuildAPortfolio">Gain Experience and Build a Portfolio</h3> <p>If you want to pursue a cybersecurity career without completing a bachelor's degree, you can do so by gaining work experience. Seek out internships and other hands-on experiences; you may even consider participating in short-term cybersecurity bootcamps to grow your skills. You can also complete cybersecurity-related projects on a freelance basis to build your portfolio. </p> <h3 id="section---ConsiderAnAdvancedDegree">Consider an Advanced Degree</h3> <p>Finally, some cybersecurity careers, such as penetration tester and cyber threat analyst, require an advanced education. Consider pursuing a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_masters_degree_cybersecurity.html">master's degree in cybersecurity</a> to work in these advanced positions. If you hope to qualify for the highest positions in IT or become a cybersecurity professor, consider pursuing a doctoral degree. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatSkillsAreNecessaryForACareerInCybersecurity">What Skills Are Necessary for a Career in Cybersecurity?</h2> <p>A successful career in a cybersecurity position requires a variety of both fundamental and advanced skills. Some of these cybersecurity skills include: </p> <ul><li>problem-solving </li><li>critical thinking </li><li>communication skills </li><li>computer programming </li><li>knowledge of computer networks </li><li>understanding of operating systems </li><li>risk management skills </li><li>understanding of threats (i.e., malware, breaches, and cyberattacks) </li></ul><h2 id="section---TopCareerPathsInCybersecurity">Top Career Paths in Cybersecurity</h2> <p>Now that you're familiar with the education requirements to work in cybersecurity, let's look at some specific careers you could pursue within the industry. </p> <h3 id="section---CybersecurityAnalyst">Cybersecurity Analyst</h3> <p>A cybersecurity analyst, also known as a security analyst, works to identify and repair any security issues within a company's computer systems. Their goal is to create better security measures; this may require educating non-IT employees and compiling security reports for company executives. </p> <h3 id="section---CybersecurityEngineer">Cybersecurity Engineer</h3> <p>Cybersecurity engineers work to design and implement more secure networks within a company or organization. Some of their job duties include identifying potential vulnerabilities, responding to breaches, and troubleshooting problems within the network. They are an essential part of any IT team for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. </p> <h3 id="section---CybersecuritySpecialist">Cybersecurity Specialist</h3> <p>A cybersecurity specialist may also be known as an IT security specialist. These professionals are tasked with monitoring and overseeing a company's computer systems, looking for potential threats or security breaches. They may implement or create new security systems, provide employees with login information, and assess any security issues that come up. </p> <h3 id="section---DigitalForensicExaminer">Digital Forensic Examiner</h3> <p>A digital forensic examiner investigates cyberattacks, security breaches, and other potential cybercrimes. Their primary job is to collect, preserve, and organize all digital evidence during an investigation. They commonly do this by recovering data from computers or other digital storage devices. They may work for companies, criminal justice agencies, or on a contract basis. </p> <h3 id="section---SecuritySystemsAdministrator">Security Systems Administrator</h3> <p>A security systems administrator is responsible for overseeing computer systems within a company or organization. They ensure these systems are maintained and configured to ensure correct and efficient operation. They are commonly tasked with installing computers, servers, and various types of software, training employees in security best practices, and troubleshooting any potential issues.</p>