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Who Choose a Cybersecurity MBA Degree?

February 7, 2021 10:10 pm0 commentsViews: 2368

We as a people have emerged into an exciting new era. As the Information Age continues to progressively grow into a major part of the natural fabric of our lives, we’re finding that many negative elements are starting to catch up as well. Our growing dependence on technology has left us vulnerable and exposed in a number of different ways. With every new gadget that comes out on the market, there comes with it an entire host of security concerns that everyone has to deal with. We need to be educated about the risks we’re exposed to when there is a lack of Internet security so we can protect ourselves from an untold number of threats that are coming at us from within the Cyber world. We need Cybersecurity.

What Is Cybersecurity?

In today’s business world, Cybersecurity has become a critical element that everyone has to deal with in one way or another. The dictionary defines it as ‘the state of being protected against the criminal or unauthorized use of electronic data, or the measures taken to achieve this.’ In essence it is the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, computers, programs, and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access. Those who choose to embark upon a career in this field have a promising future if they get the right kind of training.

What to Expect

Whatever you choose to study in the business world, an MBA is a critical component for those looking to become leaders in their chosen field. The same is true when it comes to getting a Cybersecurity MBA. These programs are specifically designed to provide you with the needed technical skills to make you a leader in the field.

A Cybersecurity MBA will usually include the core courses that any business course will require, and then it will be enhanced with acquiring a more specialized knowledge in how to provide protection for cybercriminals, computer hackers, and Internet terrorists.

What You’ll Learn

While many people will study computer technology in some form or other when they enter college, few will learn the special skills needed to detect cybercriminals at their best. With a Cybersecurity major, your curriculum will concentrate on the inner workings of how to protect private data, how that information may be stored, and what it may be worth to someone else. It will be like standing as a security guard in the storefront of a high-end department store.

With the steadily increasing rate of Internet piracy, the need for people with unique technical skills that apply to the back rooms of computers, servers, and the Internet is high. New programs are popping up all over the country to meet a growing demand for people’s personal information to be protected at all cost.

Expect core classes to include:

  • Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Accounting for Managers
  • Business Communications
  • Information Technology
  • Operations Management
  • Strategy and Policy Capstone

After completing these courses you’ll specialize in areas like:

  • Ethics, Legal, and Compliance Issues
  • IT Risk Analysis and Management
  • Information Assurance

Once you’ve received that specialized training, you’ll be ready to launch a career in a whole new field. In keeping with the progressive technological needs you’ll be qualified for positions as:

  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Cybersecurity Engineer
  • Project manager
  • Cyber Defense Advisor
  • Investigator
  • Cybersecurity Consultants

Another major position for which you will be well qualified with a degree in this field is information security analyst. This information security professional is responsible for planning and carrying out security measures that are intended to protect the computer networks and systems for a company.

Information security analysts do most of the following:

  • Perform monitoring of the company’s networks for any security breaches, and conduct investigations where any violation has occurred
  • Install new security software, including firewalls and data encryption, to thoroughly protect sensitive data
  • Prepare security reports that describe any security issues that have occurred, and details damages that may have transpired
  • Do penetration testing; this is where the analyst simulates a cyberattack to search for vulnerabilities in the system before there can be any exploitation
  • Do research on any new IT security trends
  • Devise effective security standards and update best practices to improve cyber security

It is important for cyber security professionals to stay ahead of what cyber attackers are planning. They need to stay current on the latest techniques and methods that they are using to attack computer systems. These analysts have to routinely research new cyber security systems to determine which are best to protect their company.

Information security analysts are involved in devising the disaster recovery plan for their organization. This is a detailed procedure that IT employees need to follow if there is an emergency. These plans allow the company to continue to operate even if they has been a security breach. It will include preventative security measures, including copying all IT data to a secure, off site facility.

Employment and Salary Opportunities

While many of these programs continue to rise, there are certain career paths that prove to be in a higher demand than others. Those that concentrate on data and E-businesses seem to fare better when it comes to employment opportunities later. When searching for the right school for your Cybersecurity MBA, always check for schools that offer accreditation programs rather than just looking at class descriptions.

According to 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Cybersecurity careers are some of the most lucrative positions in the job market today. With a median salary averaging $103,590 a year, and senior-level salaries are bringing in more than $163,300, it is a high-paying role with a bright future. Employment of information security analysts is expected to grow at a whopping 31 percent by 2029.

With the growing need of Cybersecurity professionals in practically every field, it is one career that is promising to be around for quite some time. Those who have their Cybersecurity MBA will be in high demand for many years to come. Regardless of whether you’re working for the local corporate office in your hometown or you expect to land a career with the government’s Homeland Security Department, you’ll be in very high demand if you have your Cybersecurity MBA.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for Information Security Analysts represents national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data Accessed May 2021.

Online Degree Programs

There are many high quality, non-profit universities that offer solid online cybersecurity programs. Students today have more quality options than ever before. Never has it been easier to earn your online cybersecurity degree while still working. Our recommended online cybersecurity program is below:

Florida Tech University Online

Florida Tech University Online offers an Online MBA in Cybersecurity that explores vital business principles from a management perspective, as well as current cybersecurity practices that you need to know to prevent serious cyberattacks in any industry. This prestigious program made our 50 most affordable mba programs online.

This MBA program will provide you with highly specialized knowledge related to the interconnections between cybersecurity solutions and the aspects of computer security that are related to the entire enterprise. Students also will learn how to perform careful analysis of policy, trends and intelligence to be able to better identify and anticipate new cyber threats.

Past graduates of this MBA program have been able to bolster their competitive edge in cybersecurity-related occupations in most industries. Companies around the world are more reliant than ever on professionals with the skills to stop cyber attacks. Graduates currently enjoy progressive career opportunities as security consultants, security systems administrators, and chief information security officer.

Required courses include:

  • Essentials of Business Development 1
  • Essentials of Business Development 2
  • Managerial Economics
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Financial Management
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Management Information Systems or Information Systems
  • Cybersecurity
  • Introduction to Information Security Management
  • Security in the Enterprise
  • Host-Based Security
  • Secure Networks and Communication

Each class takes eight weeks to complete, and there are 12 classes in total. Most students complete the MBA full time within two years.

Details

  • University Type: Non-profit
  • Campus Location: Melbourne, Florida; online
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Degrees Offered: MBA in Cybersecurity
  • GMAT/GRE Required: No
  • Financial Aid Offered: Grants, loans, work study, internal and external scholarships
  • Other Information: Almost 90% of full time faculty have a doctorate or the highest possible degree in their field.