How to Get Into Cybersecurity

Recently we discussed what cybersecurity professionals do, and today we’ll cover what you need to do to launch your career in cybersecurity.

In this post, we’ll explain why you might want to consider getting into cybersecurity in the first place, what responsibilities you’re likely to have while working in the field, why it’s so important that you get a degree before attempting to break into the industry, and what else you can do to improve the chances of achieving a successful lifelong career in cybersecurity.

If you like working with systems and you want to help an organization protect its technical infrastructure, data, and digital applications, then you should pay close attention to this post, because cybersecurity might just be your ideal career.

After you’ve learned everything you need to know about launching a career in cybersecurity, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity. 

If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

Is Cybersecurity a Good Career Field?

Yes, cybersecurity is a great field for launching a career, and there are three excellent reasons to think about becoming a cybersecurity professional:

1. The field is growing and demand for cybersecurity experts is projected to rise significantly in the next decade.
2. Cybersecurity professionals play an absolutely critical role in keeping data and systems safe from various cyber threats.
3. Top industry jobs offer excellent compensation, including very high average annual salaries.

What do Cybersecurity Professionals Actually Do?

Cybersecurity professionals play an important role of making sure an organization’s systems, applications, data, and digital infrastructure are protected from malicious cyber threats. 

To protect an organization’s assets, cybersecurity experts perform complex tests to identify cyber vulnerabilities, fix vulnerabilities that are found, and train staff on cybersecurity best practices.

Typical tasks for cybersecurity professionals include:

• Evaluating compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Installing, managing, and updating various security software, such as firewalls and encryptions to ensure that systems are up to date.
• Conducting internal and external security audits, as well as risk assessments to evaluate vulnerabilities and determine the readiness of security systems.
• Assessing attacks or unauthorized access to identify the cause and origin of security breaches.
• Performing vulnerability testing and risk analysis functions to evaluate current security threats and identify where improvements could be made.
• Designing, implementing, and evaluating computing-based solutions to meet a given set of requirements.

Whether you choose to remain a cybersecurity generalist, or you want to develop your expertise in a specific area of cybersecurity, the best way to ensure that you’re prepared to be successful in this challenging industry is to first complete an accredited cybersecurity degree program.

Do I Need a Degree to Get Into Cybersecurity?

Probably. BLS says that candidates typically need a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information technology, or a related field to become a cybersecurity professional, and they also point out that some cybersecurity management roles will also require a master’s degree.

While you might be able to get an entry-level job in the industry without a degree in cybersecurity, the work will be more administrative, and you may have difficulty advancing your career in this competitive field without an actual degree.

If your objective is to launch a cybersecurity career and eventually move up the ladder into more senior-level positions, especially roles in cybersecurity management and leadership, then you’ll want to complete a degree.

Getting your degree is the perfect way to develop the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities you’ll need to provide real value to an organization as a cybersecurity professional, and it’s also one of the best ways to improve your marketability for cybersecurity jobs.

Simply put, when organizations are hiring for cybersecurity roles, they’re almost certainly going to prefer applicants who list a relevant cybersecurity degree on their resumes.

What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity?

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, like the one offered by CSU Global, will make you eligible for entry and mid-level industry roles, including positions like: 

• Computer Systems Analyst / 2021 Median Pay: $99,270
• Information Security Analyst / 2021 Median Pay: $102,600
• Computer Network Architect / 2021 Median Pay: $120,520
• Cybersecurity Architect / 2022 Median Pay: $106,313

This is just a very short list of some of the most common jobs for cybersecurity program alumni, and in reality, you’re likely to be eligible for hundreds of different industry positions after completing a degree in cybersecurity.

One other thing to note is that the manager-level positions listed above probably won’t be accessible to you immediately after completing a bachelor’s degree, as they’re also likely to require some actual experience working in the industry.

Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity Worth Getting?

Yes, getting your degree in cybersecurity is worth it, even though it may take hard work and dedication to complete the program. It’s simply one of the best ways to launch a career in the industry.

Perhaps the most important reason to complete a bachelor’s degree in the field is that it will give you the academic credentials needed to convince hiring managers that you’re able to bring value to their teams.

Should I Get My Degree in Cybersecurity Online?

Yes, you should certainly consider getting your degree in cybersecurity online.

Why? Because online degrees tend to provide more freedom and flexibility than in-person programs.

In fact, CSU Global’s accelerated cybersecurity degree program offers maximum flexibility, since it was designed to be completed online.

To make our cybersecurity program as convenient as possible, we provide several excellent benefits, including:

• No requirements to attend classes at set times or locations.
• Access to monthly class starts.
• Accelerated, eight-week courses.

Thanks to these benefits, studying online with us may make it much easier to juggle your studies with existing work and family responsibilities.

If you’re looking to get your degree, but you’ve already got a fairly busy schedule, then you should think about studying online with CSU Global.

Why Should I Choose to Study Cybersecurity at CSU Global?

Our online cybersecurity program will prepare you for a successful, lifelong career in this challenging, but lucrative industry, no matter what niche you choose to specialize in.

All our cybersecurity faculty have recent industry experience, while the program’s curriculum is aligned with professional certification exams that employers demand for cybersecurity professionals, including:

• (ISC)2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• (ISC)2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
• EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist (EC-Council ECES)
• EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (EC-Council ECIH)
• CompTIA A+, Network +, Security+, and Project+

Completing our 100% online cybersecurity program will provide you with competence in the areas associated with the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam, preparing you to deliver great results from your first day in the office.

This program is also widely recognized as one of the best programs in the industry, as it currently holds several excellent rankings, including:

• A #3 ranking on Top 10 Online Cyber Security Undergraduate Certificate Programs for 2021 from Security Degree Hub.
• A #10 ranking on Best Online Cyber Security Degree Programs of 2022 from Intelligent.

And CSU Global itself also recently earned several important and prestigious rankings of its own, including:

• A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
• A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges.
• A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.

Finally, to help save you time and money on the costs of your degree, we offer competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee that ensures your low tuition rate won’t increase from enrollment through graduation.

For additional details about our fully accredited, 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, please give us a call at 800-462-7845 or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now