Cybersecurity Masters Programs: What Can I Expect to Learn in a Program?

The world is now more connected than ever before. Everything is just a click or a swipe away. While this technological advancement has introduced unprecedented levels of flexibility and convenience, it has also brought with it a fair share of challenges. Key among these challenges is the risk of cyber-attack – the reason why cybersecurity is so vital.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that cybercrime will cost the global economy more than $400 billion each year with the figure expected to reach $2 trillion by the end of 2019. If that was not detrimental enough, a 2015 Global Risks report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) found that more than 90 percent of companies globally were not adequately prepared to address cyber-attacks.

Although projections show that the trend will continue, cybersecurity professionals across the world are fighting back. By updating their skills and incorporating new technologies, cybersecurity professionals are slowly but surely making a difference in protecting the information asset. Nevertheless, the battle must continue and the only way to make progress is for cybersecurity professionals to keep updating their skills to outsmart the threats.

Commonly Taught Principles and Theories in Cybersecurity

Every career path in cybersecurity starts with a basic understanding of information technology. However, cybersecurity is not to be confused with information security. Cybersecurity is the ability to defend and protect organizations from cyber-attacks using cyberspace. Cyberspace is a virtual global environment largely based on the internet and created by computer systems.

Information security, on the other hand, is the protection of information and information systems from unauthorized access, disclosure, use, modification, disruption or destruction. The information being protected can reside in different forms of media, including the internet.

Implementation of cybersecurity has two main objectives:

• To keep confidential information away from cyber attackers and other unauthorized persons
• To ensure that cybersecurity measures do not hinder authorized users from accessing information

With that in mind, here are the three key principles of cybersecurity

Confidentiality

Cybersecurity has a responsibility to ensure that authorized persons only access secured information and that disclosure to unauthorized persons is prevented. An example of this in practice is the requirement that only users with the right username and password can access information on a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management system. Another example is data encryption where to access the data; one has to use a requisite key.

Integrity

The summation of all cybersecurity efforts should ensure that unauthorized persons do not modify secured information and that it remains accurate and consistent. An example in practice is ensuring that email communication between a customer and a sales representative is not intercepted or modified by an intruder while in transit.

Availability

The efforts implemented towards securing information in cyberspace does not have the effect of hindering access by authorized persons. The implementation of cybersecurity efforts should also provide for redundancy access in case of outages. An example in practice is the use of firewalls and proxy servers, which would deter Denial of Service (DoS) attacks that would otherwise create system unavailability if successful.

These principles form the foundation of all the things you should learn in a cybersecurity class.

How Will a Master’s Degree in Cyber Security Help You Advance Your Career?

It is a fact that the demand for cybersecurity professionals is greater than supply. This is a reflection of the fact that cyber threats are more advanced and business owners and leaders are in search of cybersecurity professionals with a little more edge. Employers are seeking a combination of both education and practical experience. For this reason, most career options are generally available to those with a master’s degree or higher. Employers view these people as more rounded to not only deal with cyber threats but also to integrate with the business.

In addition to emerging technologies, Forbes reports that employers in cyber security related fields are keen to hire individuals with diverse skills. Skills such as project management, business structure and needs analysis are valuable to organizations as they try to integrate cybersecurity into the whole organization.

A Master's in cybersecurity should equip learners with specialized skills necessary to anticipate and deal with future threats and with business skills to become more rounded professionals. For people looking to rise in the cyber security profession, a master’s degree in cybersecurity is worth the investment.

How Can I Start Learning Today?

If you hold a bachelor's degree in an IT field and want to earn a Master of Science in Cybersecurity, ECPI University offers this program with concentrations in Cyber Operations and Cybersecurity Policy. For more information about this exciting opportunity, connect with a knowledgeable admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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