Create a safer digital world with a degree in cybersecurity

Picture a world without the internet. No websites to order our groceries, no way to instantly contact loved ones while away from home, no online banking to help us manage our finances, and the list goes on…

The internet is an integral part of today’s globalised society. From enabling international trade deals to facilitating emails between clients, it’s responsible for creating the modern world we all benefit from and exist within today.

Individuals and companies alike harness a myriad of online opportunities thanks to the internet. Think about all the multinational corporations providing services all over the world; all the business starters recruiting freelance talent from social media platforms; and the online sales that allow companies to thrive.

But as more corporations and individuals heavily rely on the internet while technology becomes more entrenched in our everyday lives, the risk of cyberattacks also increases. The very thing that allows our world to smoothly operate is the same thing that permits anonymous cybercrime and enables digital attacks. The internet is not always a place for co-operation and growth.

The rise of the internet has created an entirely new type of crime, one that sees hackers steal non-physical data up to the value of millions. In the depths of cyberspace, these data pirates focus on finding loopholes in security walls, allowing them to find protected content while generally remaining undetected.

Motivated by financial gain, the acquisition of important information or to show off coding skills, there have already been at least five major cybersecurity breaches so far this year. These have included over US$3 billion worth of intellectual property being stolen from 144 US universities, 176 universities in 21 other countries, 47 private companies, and other targets including the United Nations and the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The sheer amount of confidential data being shared online means the matter of cybersecurity has never been more important. Whether you’re interested in medicine, banking or homeland security, the need for professionals with knowledge in information assurance and computer science increases.

This makes it one of the most exciting industries to get involved in, as graduates in the field will be part of a growing movement that’s securing the privacy and integrity of everyone’s information, allowing technology to sustainably improve people’s lives with minimal risk.

More than simply building code, experts in the field are required to draw on interdisciplinary knowledge to find not only weaknesses in security walls, but also predict human behaviour and their failings to prevent risk.

“Whether you’re managing a hedge fund or assessing the prospects of a proposed advertising campaign, understanding and managing risk is a key ingredient,” said cybersecurity technologist, Gib Sorebo.

By following a career in cybersecurity, you’ll blend computer science expertise with analytical awareness and problem-solving skills to allow the digital world to operate safely, allowing individuals, companies and economies to thrive.

If you’re passionate about managing the risks of the digital world, consider these four innovative universities to kick-start your career…

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Committed to inspiring the next generation of technology influencers who will solve global problems, Stevens Institute of Technology provides industry-relevant degrees to help you achieve your career goals.

The BSc in Cybersecurity at Stevens Institute of Technology integrates the science, technology and management skills needed to design, create and apply innovative solutions to cyber risks. Students graduate from this course ready to tackle complex industry issues.

Combining mathematics and computer science with a security-driven narrative, students will gain the interdisciplinary perspective needed to creatively respond to the ever-evolving challenges found in maintaining cybersecurity.

Postgraduate students with professional knowledge in the security sector have the opportunity to follow the MSc in Cybersecurity to hone their professional skills and specialise in the industry. This programme aims to relay technical knowledge about information security and educate students on the organizational, social, managerial and legal aspects of security and privacy.

SCHOOL OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY, ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Combining theoretical teaching with industry experience, the School of Applied Technology at Illinois Institute of Technology is preparing the next cohort of problem solvers to make the digital world a safer place.

“Illinois Tech School of Applied Technology programs apply a hands-on, reality-based approach to education that allows students to apply what they learn in class to solve real-life problems,” said Robert Carlson, Dean of the school.

Undergraduate students can study the Co-Terminal Bachelor of Information Technology and Management/Master of Cyber Forensics and Security, in which they can earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s qualification within five years to fast-track their careers.

For those who already have an undergraduate degree, the Master’s of Cyber Forensics and Security may be a better fit. This cross-disciplinary degree includes technology, management, compliance, and legal issues associated with the field, allowing you to lead practical and policy projects in your career.

SHILEY-MARCOS SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO

Priding itself on small class sizes and its commitment to industry placements, Shiley Marcos School of Engineering offers students a personalised learning experience with a real-world edge.

Class sizes are never above 24 students per lecture, with 50 percent of students receiving a job offer before graduating and the other 50 percent receiving an offer within six months of graduation, it’s a great school when it comes to kick-starting your career.

The MSci in Cybersecurity Engineering programme provides knowledge and skill in architecting, developing and fielding secure network solutions against advanced persistent threat. The innovative education provided at the University of San Diego is designed not only to educate future cybersecurity engineers but also to inspire students to be leaders in the field, making positive contributions to San Diego’s cybersecurity landscape and beyond.

The real-world problem solving needed to drive the industry forward is nurtured here, with 80 percent of graduates undertaking work experience in their industry. This allows students to implement their classroom knowledge to influence the field while they study, so they can hit the ground running after graduation.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International

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