What kind of degree do you need for cyber security?

Education requirements

A bachelor's degree in engineering (electrical engineering preferable) or computer science is required for employment as a security engineer. Many employers additionally require some level of previous experience and/or professional certification(s) in the field.
Once a specialty only associated with government agencies and defense contractors, cyber security has now entered the mainstream. Industries such as health care, finance, manufacturing and retail all hire cyber security professionals to protect valuable information from cyber breaches. The demand for specialists in the field is high. A report by job analytics firm Burning Glass Technologies found job postings for openings in cyber security have grown three times faster than those for IT job overall, and cyber security professionals are earning 9 percent more than their IT counterparts. Read more to learn how to get started in a cyber security career, from the types of degrees available to the various careers in the field.

EARN A BACHELOR’S DEGREE

While it’s possible to find certain entry-level cyber security positions with an associate’s degree, most jobs require a four-year bachelor’s degree in cyber security or a related field such as information technology or computer science. Coursework in programming and statistics combined with classes in ethics and computer forensics prepare students with the technical and analytical skills required for successful careers in cyber security.

In an environment where data breaches are becoming the norm, more cyber security degree programs are being added every year. Before choosing a cyber security degree, prospective students should make sure that it is not only accredited, but also aligns with their career goals.

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COMPLETE ADVANCED TRAINING

Some employers will require candidates to hold an advanced degree such as a master’s degree in cyber security. Prospective employers may offer tuition assistance to meet this goal. A master’s degree takes an additional one to two years to complete after the bachelor’s degree-level and provides advanced instruction in protecting computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. Students learn the ethics, practices, policies and procedures of cyber security as they study how to tackle network security defense techniques and countermeasures. Cyber security professionals can also earn certification to boost their skills while working full-time to gain hands-on experience.

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PASS SECURITY CLEARANCES (IF APPLICABLE)

Security clearances are necessary for those who wish to work with classified information as part of a military of government agency. A variety of agencies issue both personnel and facility security clearances, but most are issued by the Department of Defense. Each type of clearance has its own procedures and paperwork. The process, which takes three months to a year, does not begin until an employer decides to hire you, at which point you receive a conditional offer of employment. The first step is to submit clearance documentation, followed by a Background Investigation.