Why should students opt for a career in cybersecurity?

What is it that inspires students to pursue a career in cybersecurity?

Perhaps it’s related to the growing number of global cybercrime statistics.

In India, cybercrime almost doubled in 2017, according to National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) statistics.

Released in October 2019, the Crime in India report states that “During 2017, 56% of cybercrime cases registered were for the motive of fraud (12,213 out of 21,796 cases) followed by sexual exploitation with 6.7% (1,460 cases) and causing disrepute with 4.6% (1,002 cases).”

According to the Cybersecurity & Cybercrime survey, conducted by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) in collaboration with the Dutch national police force, “In 2018, 8.5 percent of Dutch internet users aged 12 and over indicated they had fallen victim to computer-oriented crime in the previous twelve months.”

Equivalent to over 1.2 million people, mainly under the age of 25, CBS shows that it isn’t just one age group that’s targeted by cybercrime either.

Responding to the increase of cybercrime and cyber threats, it’s no surprise that the new research report by Global Market Insights shows that the global cybersecurity market is set to grow from its current market value of more than $US120 billion to over US$300 billion by 2024.

Therefore, a career in cybersecurity isn’t just a safety investment for online users, it’s a way for students to safeguard their future, too.

Fighting for the victims of cybercrime, cybersecurity specialists can pursue a rewarding and prosperous career on any corner of the globe.

With the demand for confident and educated cybersecurity and risk management professionals on the rise, plus the value of the global cybersecurity market heightening, now is a great time for students to elevate their skills to new levels.

So, if you’re interested in protecting people and institutions from threats, and you’re searching for a career that unites future challenges with solutions, cybersecurity is a secure study area to choose.

Here are four universities that encourage and develop agile cybersecurity professionals…

UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (UNH)

Situated in Manchester, a top-10 tech city in the US, students who start or continue a career in cybersecurity will be strategically close to internet performance companies like Oracle Dyn, IT engineering organisations like Texas Instruments and robotics businesses like FIRST. It’s the ideal place to gain industry exposure and explore career opportunities in the US.

After sharpening their talents through the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Master of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity Engineering, UNH graduates surge straight into sought-after IT, cyber engineering and computing-related careers.

Once graduated from this master’s degree, students can identify and respond to the complex information security threats that are increasingly common in today’s digital landscape. They’ll also gain employable skills in core and advanced information security, preparing them to develop, integrate and evaluate secure IT systems and services for any organisation and readying them for a variety of future-facing roles, such as a cyber risk analyst, cybersecurity engineer or a chief information security officer.

Plus, the M.S Cybersecurity Engineering degree grants students hands-on learning and authentic project experiences to learn the theoretical underpinnings of security engineering and the technical skills to protect data, communications, networks and services.

Whether you’re currently working as a cyber professional or you’re new to the cybersphere but ready to safeguard organisations, users and your future, find out more about this innovative course.

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (GWU)

With connections to some of the world’s most influential organisations and institutions, many of which are in walking distance from the Foggy Bottom Campus, GWU grants students a leading advantage with multidisciplinary cybersecurity majors.

GWU’s go-to Master’s of Cybersecurity Strategy & Information Management inspects issues of law, policy and leadership expressly to create the next generation of strategic leaders in cybersecurity.

Merged with the university’s Cyber Academy, students are exposed to range of facilities and modules that increase their knowhow of global cyber operations and how to counteract critical infrastructure facing ever-evolving threats.

Educating learners about the up-to-date strategies and practices needed to mitigate them, GWU offers more than just the credentials that will help working professionals get ahead – it prepares them to be cyber changemakers.

Striving for equality in the STEM field, GWU inspires everyone to chase their goals, regardless of their educational background.

And with the new GW Innovation+Entrepreneurship (I+E) Lab, a hub for innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship, GWU supports a cross-disciplinary community, building new ideas and providing brand-new insights into the tech scene.

FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

A Golden Age university for 2019, Florida Institute of Technology is preparing students for success in the digital age.

Valuing the graduate prospects of cybersecurity degrees, the institute reminds students that a “Cybersecurity Ventures report predicted that worldwide cybercrime would double from $3 trillion to $6 trillion between 2015 and 2021, and such rapid growth means that companies need qualified more cybersecurity professionals to implement security measures and fight cybercrime efforts than ever before.”

To equip today’s students with the tools needed to thrive in the cybersecurity sector, they must be taught by a faculty full of passionate researchers and scholars, hailing from all over the world.

Providing a cyber-centric faculty that cares, Florida Institute of Technology confidently carries out study courses such as the MBA in Cybersecurity.

Through this course, students gain specialised knowledge regarding the interconnections between security solutions and the enterprise, security-related aspects of host-based computer security, as well as secure networks and communications.

Then there’s the MS in Information Technology/Cybersecurity, which is available online, teaching learners about complex security topics such as security models, access control, risk management, virtualisation, intellectual property, incident response and systems security.

With its focus on the future of cybersecurity and empowering students, Florida Institute of Technology is the ideal place to start.

UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO

Understanding that cybersecurity appears in many forms, the University of San Diego’s cyber efforts stretch far and wide across campus.

From the engineering perspective, the on-campus Master of Science in CyberSecurity Engineering (MS-CSE) outlines ethics, applied and theoretical technical knowledge and skills, cross-domain learning and a mission-centric focus, all essential training elements for future information security practitioners (public or private) who wish to protect the prosperity and safety of companies, communities and the nation.

On the other hand, the Master of Science in Cyber Security Operations and Leadership online degree is designed for students who currently work in cybersecurity or those who wish to pursue a career in the field, driving positive change by mitigating cybersecurity threats and becoming leaders in their organisations. The online option is helpful for those that would prefer to remain working at home while pursuing their degree.

Creating unique educational opportunities for students who wish to be matched with industry opportunities, such as practicums, internships and job openings, the university’s Centre for Cybersecurity Engineering and Technology constantly engages new talent and inspires current cybersecurity professionals. 

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

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