Graduate Certificate Programs in Cybersecurity: Advanced credentials for your future!

Cybersecurity jobs are one of the most in-demand IT professions in 2020. There has been an increase in the demand of cybersecurity specialists in the last few years as cybercrimes are the fastest growing crimes in the world, especially in the U.S. As attacks continue to increase in tenacity and volume, there has been a parallel rise in the demand of cybersecurity specialists in the industry. While the demand for cybersecurity professionals across every sector is high, there is a shortage of qualified talent available. Thus the supply and demand discrepancy for cybersecurity specialists is creating  high salaries in the industry.

Why Graduate Certification Program in Cybersecurity

Candidates who pursue Graduate Certificate Programs get a specialized technical, professional and policy view of the challenges that are created due to the rapid advancement of IT. Through these programs, they will get to learn the basic theory and practical relevance of cryptographic techniques, legal issues in computer security, experience masters-level education, among others. These programs prepare candidates to challenge various independent industry examinations.

Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate Programs (GCP) vs Master of Science in Cybersecurity

A Graduate Certificate Program is three specialized courses and takes place over a period of three to nine months as compared to a Master’s degree that is 12 courses and  normally takes about two years. A Graduate Certificate Program in cybersecurity draws from the specialization and core cyber security courses from the Master of Science in  Cybersecurity.   GCP’s introduce candidates to the professional world making learning more specific to the interests of the professionals concerned as well as    provides more lucrative salary options as compared to candidates who only have a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. Whilst it does not replace the benefits of a full masters degree, it allows individuals to  specialise in certain verticals that they believe is most suited to their needs with an option to transfer credits earned in the program toward a master’s degree completion program in cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate programs salary benefits

Candidates who pursue Graduate Certificate programs in cybersecurity can secure jobs that can help them earn an average salary of $75,000 according to Payscale.com. The average salary range is from Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) at $56,000, to Cybersecurity Engineer at $106,000.

Graduate Certificate Programs offered by EC-Council University

Graduate Certificate Programs offered by EC-Council University are courses that are delivered online over a period of three to nine months. These programs have been designed to redefine the adult learning experience. These programs focus on the proficiencies that are required by a cybersecurity professional to secure high-level jobs. Each certificate program offered by the university has been planned to target skills as per specific IT roles offered in the industry. Cybersecurity job aspirants can opt for these programs individually or as multiples.  The GCP’s include the following specialization emphasis:

1. Information Security Professional

The Information Security Professional GCP focuses on research and writing, ethical hacking & countermeasures, and managing secure network systems.

Job Roles

1. Ethical hackers
2. Network Administrators and Engineers
3. Information Assurance (IA) Security Officer
4. Security Analyst
5. Risk/Vulnerability Analyst
6. Network Security Engineer

Program mapping to Certifications

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Network Defender (CND)

2. Security Analyst

The Security Analyst GCP is designed to focus on testing methods and techniques to identify and mitigate risk to the security of a company, while providing application and network-based security vulnerability assessments, securing a wireless network and penetration testing.

Job Roles

1. Enterprise Architect
2. Security Architect
3. Research & Development Specialist
4. Cyber Defense Analyst
5. Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist
6. Vulnerability Assessment Analyst

Program mapping to Certifications

• EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)
• Licensed Penetration Tester (Master)

3. Enterprise Security Architect

The Enterprise Security Architect GCP focuses on analyzing, planning, configuring, designing, testing, implementing, maintaining, and supporting an organization’s computer and network security infrastructure.

Job Roles

1. Computer Network Architect
2. Enterprise Architect
3. Systems Developer
4. Technical Support Specialist
5. Chief Information Security Officer
6. Information Security Officer

Program mapping to Certifications

• EC-Council Certified Secure Programmer

4. Digital Forensics

A Digital Forensics GCP is designed to demonstrate the required skill set for a Computer Forensic Investigator. Someone with the knowledge and training provided by the courses in this graduate certificate would be qualified for a Digital Forensic Investigator with the government at any level, as well as for a private industry both on or leading an incident response team.

Job Roles

1. Forensic Analyst
2. Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst
3. Chief Information Security Officer
4. Chief Security Officer
5. Information Security Officer
6. Incident Responder

Program mapping to Certifications

• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator

5. Incident Management and Business Continuity

The Incident Management and Business Continuity GCP focuses on handling and responding to various security incidents, identifying vulnerabilities and taking appropriate countermeasures to prevent information failure risks, and the skills to identify, structure, forecast, envision, design, plan, implement, account for, and lead a team through change that has been strategically planned to advance the organization.

Job Roles

1. Director/Manager – Business Continuity
2. Information Assurance (IA) Program Manager
3. Incident Handler
4. Incident Manager
5. Chief Security Officer
6. Information Assurance Security Officer

Program mapping to Certifications

• EC-Council Disaster Recovery Professional
• EC-Council Certified Incident Handler

6. Executive Leadership in Information Assurance

The Executive Leadership in Information Assurance GCP has been designed to train Chief Information Security Officers, the skill set required to lead an efficient and productive team environment.

Job Roles

1. Chief Security Officer
2. Chief Information Security Officer
3. IT Project Manager
4. Information Assurance Security Officer
5. IT Project Manager

Program mapping to Certifications

• Certified Chief Information Security Officer

Cybersecurity Higher Education at EC-Council University

EC-Council University is dedicated to creating superior educational programs in the discipline of cybersecurity. The programs will equip graduates with the knowledge to assess the latest IT security risks and expert skills to handle them successfully. The university offers bachelor’s and master’s programs. The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (BSCS) gives required exposure, builds cybersecurity skills, and develops leadership abilities that help any candidate to grow as a cybersecurity professional. Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSCS) makes you an expert in desired skills and helps you in gaining domain knowledge to stand ahead in the competition.

ECCU is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is a recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and is also an acknowledged member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

ECCU has industry practitioners as faculty members who also serve as mentors for the students when they aspire to get into cybersecurity. The iLabs facility from the university helps in gaining hands-on practice for students.

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