Cyber Security Bachelor's Degree: Is it Right for Me?
Major data breaches in recent years have made businesses of all sizes realize just how dangerous they are. They ruin long-established reputations of even the most respected brands, and the damage they cause costs a lot of money. Just how much? According to the White House, it's from $57 billion to $109 billion in 2016 alone.
Target, Walmart, JPMorgan Chase, and even Equifax have fallen victims to breaches. The fact that big companies can be affected made cyber security a top priority for organizations from different sectors.
As a result, a bachelor's degree in cyber security can now pave the way for numerous potential career opportunities within the tech industry. It's no wonder why many students are interested in getting one. Experts in the field are in demand, job options are plentiful, and career paths can take many different directions.
But before you take the leap, you have to ask yourself first is this step right for you. The last thing you want is to start a program and realize that it's not a good match. To know if a bachelor's degree in cyber security is right for you, here are some telltale signs:
You like challenges
Cyber criminals are becoming more and more sophisticated with their attacks. This means beating them at their own game won't necessarily be easy. It is often tough, as they start a step ahead of you, forcing you to catch up with them. If the idea makes you feel excited rather than worried, then you have the right mindset for career in cyber security.
You communicate well
Part of being a cyber security expert is knowing how to give simple explanations of complex threats to the organization you're working for. This ensures that employees understand why certain security policies should be implemented and enforced. Otherwise, they will not realize the gravity of the situation, and thus, will not take the threats as seriously as they should.
You notice the little things
Having an eye for detail is a must for any cyber security expert because overlooking the small warning signs can lead to massive problems later on. For example, when going through audit trail logs of everyone who signed into a system within a date range, it's easy to miss the record for an unauthorized sign-in if it's just a line in the log and you aren't reading each entry closely.
You enjoy fixing what's broken
Though the damage isn't tangible, a system is broken when a breach happens to it. A cyber security expert should have the creativity to find the problem, fix the system, and minimize the damage while racing against the clock. It's often a demanding a task, so you should be able to like it (not always, but most of the time) if you want to make a career out of it.
You thrive under pressure
Some people are frozen in place when faced with a huge task, while others are galvanized into action. If you're more of the latter than the former, you could be an effective cyber security expert. Although cyber security is focused on preventive measures, combative action has to be taken if a breach does happen. When it does, you'll need to think on your feet and make quick decisions.
You enjoy learning
Cyber security experts don't stop studying because cyber criminals don't stop finding ways to pull off successful attacks. This means you have to keep up with new technologies, follow information security news, get certifications and update them once expired, talk to other experts in the community, etc. It's a never-ending learning process. It sounds tedious, but if you're naturally curious and hungry to learn, this shouldn't be a problem for you.
Are you all these and more? If you are, a bachelor's degree in cyber security could be the right choice for you. If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Cyber and Network Security, ECPI University offers this course of study at an accelerated rate. ECPI University is also designated a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) by the NSA and the DHS. For more information, connect with a helpful admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Cybersecurity Track - Bachelor's
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