Cyberattacks are constantly growing in number and sophistication; in 2023, approximately 60% of businesses suffered ransomware attacks. As the threat grows, so too does the global cybersecurity workforce shortage, with nearly four million professionals needed to fill the gap (more than a half million in the United States alone).
The data strongly suggests that now is a propitious time to kickstart or grow your cybersecurity career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists information and security analyst among its fastest-growing occupations; U.S. News and World Report ranks cybersecurity analyst seventh on its 100 Best Jobs list. Worldwide, 70% of cybersecurity professionals express satisfaction with their jobs; that figure is higher for those who work in the United States. Professionals enjoy the field’s career advancement opportunities, its demand for skilled workers and the potential for generous compensation.
If you’re interested in advancing in the exciting field of cybersecurity, you may be wondering whether earning an online Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS), like the one offered by the University of Tennessee (UT) will help you reach your goal. This article can help you answer that question.
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Cybersecurity Career Paths: In-Demand Jobs Across Industries
As companies increasingly operate online, businesses across industries need information technology professionals who are well-versed in cybersecurity, risk assessment and mitigation. If you’re interested in a cybersecurity career, job roles that might suit you include:
- Chief information security officer (CISO): A CSIO oversees an organization’s cybersecurity strategy, aligns security initiatives with business objectives and manages security teams and resources.
- Cloud security specialist: A cloud security specialist secures cloud-based systems and applications, ensures compliance with regulations and addresses vulnerabilities specific to cloud environments.
- Information security analyst: A cybersecurity, or information security, analyst monitors networks for potential security breaches, implements protective measures such as firewalls and encryption and conducts vulnerability assessments to minimize risks.
- Penetration tester: A penetration tester, or ethical hacker, simulates cyberattacks to uncover vulnerabilities, evaluates the security of systems and applications, and provides detailed reports with recommendations for improvement.
- Security engineer: A security engineer designs and implements robust security architectures, maintains and updates security tools and resolves technical issues related to cybersecurity threats.
All these job roles require in-depth cybersecurity knowledge and advanced technical capabilities. As such, many companies require (or prefer) job candidates for these roles to have a graduate degree in computer science or cybersecurity.
Preparing for a Cybersecurity Career with an Online MSCS
Earning a graduate degree can help prepare you for more senior, higher-paying jobs in the computer science field. If you choose your program judiciously, it can also help you reach your cybersecurity career goals. Read on to learn what features to consider when selecting an MSCS program to boost your cybersecurity career.
Join a Program with a Cybersecurity Concentration
If cybersecurity is your ultimate career goal, ensure you choose an online MSCS program with a specific concentration in cybersecurity. While many MSCS programs include a few courses on cybersecurity, you likely won’t gain all the skills and knowledge you need to advance your career.
However, programs with a cybersecurity concentration, like the online MSCS at UT, are specifically designed to prepare students for careers in cybersecurity. UT’s online MSCS cybersecurity concentration bundles relevant courses and offers students practical learning experiences.
Build Core Technical Skills with a Career-Focused Curriculum
The cybersecurity field is constantly evolving as cybercriminals find new ways to exploit system vulnerabilities. To prepare for a cybersecurity career, choose a program that covers emerging topics and focuses on building the skills needed to mitigate today’s key challenges.
The online MSCS program curriculum offers courses designed to build career-ready cybersecurity skills, including:
- Software Security teaches the skills needed to identify and avoid software vulnerabilities. Students gain hands-on experience exploiting software vulnerabilities to build these skills, which are valuable in risk assessment and cybersecurity analysis.
- Mobile and Embedded Systems Security spotlights vulnerabilities and threats associated with mobile devices. Coursework focuses on improving knowledge and awareness of mobile and embedded systems security issues through individual homework assignments and an intensive group project involving hands-on research. The skills taught in this course are useful in cybersecurity engineering and analysis.
- Network Security studies internet and wireless technologies, related security concerns, common security vulnerabilities and good security practices. Students gain hands-on experience exploiting network protocols and communications and setting up secure network connections, preparing them for cloud and network security careers.
- Human Factors in Cybersecurity focuses on helping students cultivate a human-aware mindset regarding the design, implementation, and use of cybersecurity tools and principles. Understanding human-computer interaction is critical for any cybersecurity job.
- Secure and Trustworthy Computer Hardware Design examines new developments in designing safe and trustworthy computer hardware. Topics covered include physical and invasive attack models, side-channel analysis (SCA) attacks, physical unclonable functions, hardware-based random number generators, watermarking of intellectual property (IP) blocks, FPGA security, passive and active metering for piracy prevention, and hardware Trojan detection and isolation.
Gain Unique Insight from Award-Winning Faculty Members
Enrolling in an online MSCS program enables you to learn from and interact with industry experts and seasoned cybersecurity professionals. You will gain access to the latest industry insights and innovations while benefitting from opportunities to build your professional network. That’s important, too: a robust professional network can result in valuable mentorships and access to information on exciting job opportunities.
As a UT online MSCS student, you will interact with expert faculty members like Jack Dongarra, who won the 2021 Association of Computing Machinery Alan M. Turing Award for his contributions to high-performance computing; and Lynne E. Parker, who led White House Office of Science and Technology Policy artificial intelligence policy efforts from 2018 to 2022. You’ll also be part of the Tickle School of Engineering whose 26,000-strong alumni network embody the Volunteer spirit.
Next Steps: Applying to an Online MS in Computer Science Program
The demand for computer science professionals with specialized cybersecurity skills is soaring, making now the perfect time to pursue a career in this field. If you want to advance your career or enter the industry, an online MSCS program will help you reach your goals. At UT, you can earn your MSCS 100% online while benefiting from tailored cybersecurity courses, the opportunity to build practical skills, and the chance to connect with industry experts.
Are you ready to take the next step? Start your application today or contact an enrollment advisor for more information and personalized advice.
