5 Reasons that Underscore Why a Cybersecurity Degree Is Worth the Effort

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Before we begin to understand the importance of a cybersecurity degree, let us take a look at some statistics about the cybersecurity industry that are disturbing and informative too:

More than 80% of the U.S. companies claimed to be hacked [1]

The hacked companies include giants like Target, Yahoo, Sony, etc.

These incidents have resulted in a huge loss of financial and personal information.

Cybercrime is rising continuously and is estimated to cost $445 billion worldwide. [2]

Today, cybersecurity is in demand due to the above-mentioned cybercrime statistics and hundreds of other reasons. The demand for cybersecurity professionals is also rising simultaneously and is expected to reach 6 million globally by 2019 [3], but there exists a wide gap in the demand and supply of qualified professionals. Even though the career prospects appear greener for those in the industry, there are not enough qualified workers to fill the gap.

If you are from the information security industry you probably know about the rising career prospects and have noticed how fast the industry is evolving, stressing on the importance of a continual education. In fact, nearly half of the organizations have made earning a degree in a relevant field a requirement. [13]

5 Reasons to have a Degree in Cybersecurity:

1. Wide Career Options

The industry of cybersecurity is in dire need of skilled cybersecurity experts. In a study of the International Shortage in Cybersecurity Skills, McAfee reported that there is a critical shortage of high-value skills, the scarcest being secure software development, intrusion detection, and attack mitigation, supported by 53% of the respondents stating that the cybersecurity skills shortage is worse than IT talent deficits. [4]

To reach the level of expertise to combat sophisticated cyberattacks along with appropriate leadership skills, a degree program, especially a master’s degree is highly preferred. Having a degree will expand the horizon of your career in the cybersecurity industry.

EC-Council University offers Master of Science in Cybersecurity program which is an online degree program that prepares information security professionals to assume cybersecurity and information assurance leadership roles and provide necessary skills in cybersecurity, organizational behavior and structure, research and writing. All-in-all, the online cybersecurity degree program is rich in the required skill-set to be a leader in cybersecurity profession.

2. Rising Job Prospects

“The cybersecurity job is on fire,” Veronica Mollica, Founder, and Executive Information Security Recruiter at Indigo Partners Inc. commented. [5]

A degree in cybersecurity would provide opportunities on a large scale as most employers prefer qualified professionals instead of hiring a workforce with limited knowledge on the subject. [12]

The cybersecurity job market is expected to grow from $75 billion in 2015 to $170 billion by 2020. [6] If you are really excited to get in the cybersecurity industry and can prove your acquired skills, then the future belongs to you as information security is considered to be an ever-evolving industry.

EC-Council University has gone a step-ahead in supporting its students by offering them an internship and capstone projects for applied learning opportunity which will not just strengthen their skills but will also help them infiltrate the job market.

3. Invest Now, Reap Later

The tuition fee for a master’s program in cybersecurity is high in the U.S. [7] While the fee may appear to be expensive the payoffs prove that it is worth doing.

The major shortage of qualified workforce in the cybersecurity has led to a rising demand for qualified professionals with millions of positions still vacant. Moreover, the pay scale of cyber-workforce is comparatively higher than other IT job titles. The top companies surveyed in the U.S. are paying on an average $156,000 with a high of 254,000 to Chief Information Security Officers. [9] It shows the potential for career growth in cybersecurity.

4. Ample Networking Opportunities

Those inspired to make the most of their degree program, networking is the key. When you pursue any degree program you tend to interact with the fellow-students for a longer duration and also try to develop communication with like-minded people through various direct and indirect channels. These connections built while pursuing a degree program will be useful throughout your career. The kind of relationship that you develop with your faculty and fellow students will help you to count upon them for professional advice.

The faculty of EC-Council University have both industry experience but academic credentials as well and are up to date latest trends. While pursuing any of the university degree programs you will get an opportunity to interact with people from various parts of the world carrying different levels of domain knowledge and skills. Such networking has the potential to bring you abundant career opportunities.

5. Gain Leadership And Managerial Skills

A good reason to study for a Masters in Cybersecurity is that the course curriculum includes various leadership and managerial studies. Among the different universities offering Master in Cybersecurity, you will find management as a subject. This is mainly because a security professional performs a crucial role in safeguarding and protecting the company’s infrastructure. The cybersecurity professional has to work closely with the management and also should able to command the team and other staff members to follow and implement security strategies.

ECCU Master of Science in Cybersecurity program prepares students to assume various leadership roles in corporations, agencies, and organizations. The program has been divided into a set of core courses that provide the necessary skills in cybersecurity, management, research, and writing.

6. Cybersecurity Institutes Encourage E-learning

It is difficult to pursue any degree program along with your full-time job and family obligations. The online mode of education brings flexibility to the program. There are many universities or institutions in cybersecurity that are now encouraging to opt for online learning, for one reason that they want to grow globally. But when you are looking for the masters or bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, you are left with limited choices. The online learning gives you the freedom to learn anywhere, anytime.

The degree programs that are offered by EC-Council University are completely online to provide flexibility to the aspiring students. At the same time, they are faculty led in the sense that course have ongoing interaction and discussion with faculty.

Cybersecurity is a fast-growing occupation worldwide. The key factors like experience, education, and skills-enhancement can define your growth prospects. The expected rate of job growth in the field of cybersecurity is 28% which is higher than the average for many leading professions. [10]

To understand career prospects in cybersecurity at various levels of experience, read our other blog: At a Stand-Still in Your Cyber Career? Here Is What You Should Do?

ECCU offers both masters and bachelors degree programs in cybersecurity that can take your career to the greater heights. In a Washington Post, Alec Ross, Senior Advisor for Innovation at the State Department, shared a note of advice for those are not sure about their career path, “If any college student asked me what career would most assure 30 years of steady, well-paying employment, I would respond, ‘cybersecurity.’” [11]

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