Studying for a Degree in Cybersecurity

We recently wrote about how to launch a career in cybersecurity, and here, we’ll explain which jobs you should consider applying to after completing your bachelor’s degree in the field.

We’ll also discuss what you’ll learn when studying cybersecurity, why you’d want to choose to work in the industry, why a cybersecurity degree is worth pursuing, and why you should consider studying online instead of in-person.

This post will give you all the information you need to decide if cybersecurity is the right field for you, then provide you with everything you need to know to figure out how to launch a successful, lifelong career in the industry.

After you’ve read through the article, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about CSU Global’s 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, or if you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

Top Jobs for Cybersecurity Graduates

Completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity will qualify you to pursue a wide range of roles related to security and intelligence, including virtually any job that involves protecting digital assets and network security.

Majoring in cybersecurity is a great idea, as it’ll allow you to pursue a whole series of high-demand, high-paying jobs in this challenging, but exciting industry, including jobs like:

  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Cybersecurity Consultant
  • Cybersecurity Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Manager or Administrator
  • Network Engineer or Architect
  • Penetration Tester
  • Software Developer or Engineer
  • Systems Engineer
  • Vulnerability Analyst

Keep in mind that this is just a shortlist of a few of the more common jobs available to cybersecurity experts. 

To be clear, nearly any job related to network security, cybersecurity management, and cybersecurity operations would be a potential target after completing your B.S. in Cybersecurity.

To help give you a better feel about why you might want to take this opportunity seriously, let’s take a closer look at some of the best jobs for cybersecurity majors.

Information Security Analysts / 2021 Median Pay: $102,600

The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the job title “Information Security Analyst” for numerous jobs related to cybersecurity operations, and the data they provide about these roles looks extremely promising to anyone considering this field as a potential career.

First, BLS explains that information security analysts are the professionals responsible for protecting computers, computer networks, and technical systems of an organization, and says that the typical tasks required of these professionals include assignments like:

  • Planning cybersecurity measures.
  • Testing cybersecurity defenses.
  • Researching new methods to protect organizational assets.
  • Deploying and maintaining new cybersecurity systems.

BLS also reports that most information security analyst positions are likely to require a bachelor’s degree in a related subject, so if you’re serious about trying to break into this space, then you’ll want to consider earning your degree in the field before attempting to apply for any related jobs.

Finally, BLS projects that demand for information security analysts will grow rapidly over the next decade, with employment rates rising 35% between 2021 and 2031.

With such high average salaries and demand predicted to soar, there’s truly never been a better time to get into the field.

Forensic Computer Analysts / 2022 Median Pay: $75,262

If you don’t want to be directly responsible for securing an organization's assets and data, but you’re still interested in cybersecurity operations, then you may want to consider a career as a forensic computer analyst.

This role serves on the front lines of the cybersecurity war, but instead of working to prevent attacks and breaches, the forensic computer analyst is instead focused on figuring out how cyberattacks or other illegal online activities were conducted so that criminals can be prosecuted and similar attacks can be prevented.

According to CyberDegrees.org, forensic computer analysts are responsible for a variety of different tasks, but their core focus seems to be on data retrieval and incident analysis, and their job isn’t necessarily to stop an attack from happening but to understand how it occurred in the first place.

As a forensic computer analyst, you may be asked to investigate a variety of different types of illegal online activities, including:

  • Cybercrimes
  • Espionage
  • Fraud
  • Hacking
  • Storage and distribution of illegal content
  • Terrorism

This could be a perfect role for someone who wouldn’t feel comfortable being personally responsible for ensuring an organization’s security, but who is interested in the industry and wants to make a difference in the battle against cybercrime.

This role requires complex technical knowledge, awareness of cybersecurity best practices, and a deep understanding of the complex threats that modern organizations face, which are skills and abilities that you could develop by enrolling in CSU Global’s online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree program.

Data Security Officers / 2022 Median Pay: $96,093

Demand for data security officers, or the increasingly more common job title of “Data Protection Officer” has grown in recent years, especially in the wake of new data privacy protection laws getting passed.

These laws require organizations to do a better job protecting the personal information that they collect and store, and the EU’s GDPR law specifically requires that organizations who store certain amounts of data employ data protection officers to oversee their data protection strategy.

According to MatrixPoint Consulting, data protection officers are management-level employees tasked with managing the organization's compliance with GDPR requirements, including protecting users and user data, ensuring GDPR compliance, and working with regulators.

Data protection officers must have expert knowledge of data protection laws and best practices, which makes an educational background in cybersecurity operations an excellent place to begin building the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to pursue a job in this industry.

As a data protection officer, you’ll need to be prepared to handle complex, critical cybersecurity tasks, including:

  • Working towards compliance with all relevant data protection laws.
  • Spearheading data protection impact assessments.
  • Training employees for data protection best practices.
  • Collaborating with supervisory authorities.

This is a role that requires a great deal of technical acumen, expertise, and awareness of cybersecurity threats, defenses, and laws, which makes it a great target for anyone interested in launching a cybersecurity career.

Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity Actually Worth It?

Yes, it’s worth getting your Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity because it’s one of the best, most efficient ways to develop the skills and abilities you need to build a strong foundation before working in this challenging industry.

While you may not necessarily need a bachelor’s degree in the topic to get the jobs listed above, most of the good roles in this industry are likely to prefer candidates who have already completed a B.S. in the field.

Accordingly, completing a cybersecurity program at a reputable school like CSU Global is one of the best ways to launch your career in this space, and finishing your bachelor’s degree should make it easier to break into this competitive industry.

Nearly every modern organization requires some level of protection from cyber threats, and since the BLS expects demand for information security analysts predicted to rise considerably over the next decade, it’s a great time to get your degree so you can launch a successful career in cybersecurity.

Should You Get Your Degree in Cybersecurity Online?

Yes, you should consider studying cybersecurity online, since online degree programs tend to offer much more freedom and flexibility compared to in-person programs. 

CSU Global’s online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity was specifically designed for busy adults who need the flexibility that will allow them to juggle existing work or family responsibilities with their academic pursuits.

To make it easier for our students to fit studying into their already busy schedules, our program offers conveniences like: 

  • No set times or locations for classes.
  • Monthly class starts.
  • Accelerated, eight-week courses.

If you’re looking to get your degree in cybersecurity, but you’re struggling to figure out how you’d fit the new responsibilities that come with pursuing a bachelor’s degree, then you should certainly consider studying online with us.

Why Should You Choose CSU Global’s Cybersecurity Program?

Our cybersecurity program is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and you can be sure that your degree will be widely-respected as this program was recently ranked the #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Information Systems Security Degrees for 2021 by Cyberdegrees.org.

CSU Global itself also holds several important rankings, 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.

To ensure that you’ll develop useful, relevant job skills and abilities, our cybersecurity faculty all have recent experience in the field, and the program’s curriculum was designed to align 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 this program will allow you to gain competence in the areas associated with the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam, preparing you to achieve success from your very first day on the job.

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!