The biggest challenge of cybersecurity professionals is not job security, but it is more about the quickly changing security risks. It is just when they realize that the threat has been contained; a new risk emerges unexpectedly. The cybersecurity team must continuously study and research to learn about new and upcoming threats.
Traditionally, organizations focus on containing the bigger threats leaving the minor components unattended. This results in a collection of unprotected little vulnerabilities which can be prone to cyberattacks. When it comes to security, every system can be considered as a gateway for intrusion by cyber attackers. Advanced knowledge on the subject would help them keep the security intact. A master’s degree in cybersecurity will give you the required exposure to acquire specialized skills that compliment your experience.
If you are an experienced professional and are looking to reach the heights of the cybersecurity industry, then here are a few reasons explaining the significance of the master’s degree program.
- Job Security
Compared to a decade ago, there are many jobs available in cybersecurity. Cyber threats are growing in volume resulting in increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals. Going through many statistics online, we know that the supply is much less than demand. Therefore, a master’s degree creates confidence in the employer to entrust the responsibility of a leadership position. Master’s degree makes gives you valuable skills and knowledge to enhance your career.
- More Options to Choose From
The more you study, the more opportunities you will come across. With a bachelor’s degree and experience, you will find opportunities restricted to your scope of the job. Whereas, a master’s degree in cybersecurity creates larger job options. You will be able to choose the job of your interest based on the specialization that you select in the master degree program. The report from Burning Gas Technologies showed 84% of cybersecurity job postings require a bachelor’s degree as minimum education and 23% require at least a master’s degree. [1] While there are many opportunities in the cybersecurity field, the education level needed to land a job is high.
- Best Returns on Investment
Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and it is only through advanced knowledge that such incidents can be mitigated. With a bachelor’s degree and experience on hand, you still cannot gain knowledge of specialized nature. A master’s degree in cybersecurity will serve the purpose. The investment of time, effort, and money will give fruitful results when you get the opportunity to explore specialized jobs that give you the leverage of growing in the industry.
- Offers Scope for Career Growth
A vertical growth in the career is achievable with the combined efforts of your hard work and education. Along with experience, a master’s degree in cybersecurity will help you qualify for higher posts. In the absence of a master degree, your growth can remain stagnant for a long time. To be a CISO, a masters degree is considered significant.
- Flexibility to Select
While working in a specific profile, you may not feel confined. A bachelor’s degree background helps you in landing with generic jobs, and an upgrade to masters degree level allows you to pick up a specialization of your choice. Many master programs offer 4-5 specialization options that can be selected to pursue career-specifically to your choice.
Now Is the Time to Leverage Higher Education Incentives
The shortage of qualified workforce in cybersecurity has been a matter of concern for small and big organizations. Private and public enterprises are prepared to offer financial incentives and other benefits to those who are qualified and have master degree qualifications. To encourage more people to join the industry, governments have introduced various plans for the benefit of students pursuing higher cybersecurity education. The President’s 2016 plan is an initiative to enhance student loan forgiveness program for cybersecurity experts. [2] Another encouragement unveiled four key education goals, the foremost being, “expanding the cybersecurity workforce through education and training.” [3]
ECCU Master of Science in Cybersecurity
EC-Council University’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity prepares professionals for higher leadership roles in corporations, government agencies, and organizations. The program is rich in curriculum and is offered 100% online to allow working professionals to dedicate their available time for learning as per their schedule. The masters degree program is divided into five advanced specializations that provide skills of the relevant stream to make students master the subject. The five specializations include – Security Analyst, Enterprise Security Architect, Digital Forensics, Incident Management and Business Continuity, and Executive Leadership and Information Assurance. The specialized subjects enable you to gain mastery, which is crucial to succeeding in the cybersecurity career.
Sources:
- http://www.burning-glass.com/wp-content/uploads/Cybersecurity_Jobs_Report_2015.pdf
- https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/09/fact-sheet-cybersecurity-national-action-plan
- https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2016/07/12/strengthening-federal-cybersecurity-workforce
