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Are you looking for a great career in cyber security? Check out these top degree programs and start earning today!

As far as emerging careers go, cyber security workers enjoy at least 50% more per year than many other professions. This elevated salary potential is due to the increasing demand and stable growth over the next decade. Those who are trained in cyber security protocols are sure to profit from this growth, and the best cyber security courses help position you to take advantage of this trend. So, how do you break in? The first step is to enroll and take the necessary courses to earn your degree.

A Degree in Cyber Security Spells Job Security

Cyber security jobs have proliferated over the last few years, due in large part to the increased proliferation of cyber attacks. In 2020, alone, the figures for cyber attacks rose at unprecedented numbers simply because more people were forced to work from home. Combine this with the telehealth sector taking off during the pandemic and you have numerous opportunities for cyber hacking. Earning a degree or certificate in cyber security has long term earning potential. This means job security for you.

What is Cyber Security Exactly?

Cyber security is a catch-all phrase that covers a wide variety of positions and jobs in the security industry. At its core, cyber security protects personal and sensitive data and keeps it safe. As an industry it is also responsible for protecting local, state and federal institutions from cyber attacks. In the private sector, cyber security specialists also recover data that has been corrupted or maliciously damaged in a database. They routinely patrol and monitor telecommunication networks for potential threats and deal with them. With some statistics stating that a cyber attack happens ever 40 seconds in the U.S. it is easy to see why this career would be in such high demand.

Cyber Security Job Types

Under the main category of cyber security are a wide range of job types. As in most industries there are entry level to advanced level jobs that exist in cyber security. Most are dependent on the level of training and experience you have in the industry. Salaries are based on the job type as well as experience. For example, a cyber security specialist for the Pentagon would command a different salary than someone working for a local bank.

Entry level positions often include titles such as systems administrator or IT consultant. Sometimes entry level positions include network engineers and cyber mitigations, but more often those are included in the mid-range positions. Entry level positions garner an average of $85,000.

Midlevel jobs would see you working as a incident response agent, security technician, cyber security architect, or data privacy specialist. Mid-range jobs are those usually recruited for companies or governmental institutions requiring a very high level of monitoring and threat assessment. Likewise these positions are utilized in companies with highly classified, proprietary designs, processes or formulations. Midlevel cyber security jobs average $125,000, but can be much higher in certain parts of the U.S.

Advanced cyber security jobs command the highest salary and for good reason. At this level you are responsible for safeguarding systems and data that protect large assets and groups of people from threat. These job titles include, but are not limited to, Application development security, cyber intelligence analyst, risk management consultant, cloud security expert, or threat intelligence officer.

Best Cyber Security Degree Programs Online

While there are free courses in cyber security offered via the internet, steer clear of them. These types of courses are rarely accredited, and the quality of the information is often flawed. However, affordable cyber security certificate programs can be finished in a short amount of time, and at a lower cost. Getting a certificate in cyber security may only qualify you to work in a narrowly defined area such as Certified Information Systems Auditor or Certified Cloud Security Professional. You can also get a certificate as a certified hacker, referred to as the Certified Ethical Hacker certificate.

To command the higher salaries, you must have an actual degree. Cyber Security degrees are obtainable at the bachelor’s, masters, and doctoral levels. All of these are available from various universities as online or hybrid classes. The top online cyber security programs for 2021 include the following:

Certificate Programs

• Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE).

• Bellevue University Cybersecurity Certificate of Completion.

• American Military University (AMU).

Degree Programs

• University of North Dakota Bachelor’s in Cyber Security.

• NorthCentral University Ph.D. in Cybersecurity.

• Johns Hopkins Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity.

• Maryville University Bachelor’s in Cyber Security.

Best Cyber Security Degree Colleges

Most colleges now offer some type of IT security course degree. However, some universities have risen to the top because of the rigor of their programs and the diversity of the various offerings. The following are some of the best colleges in the US for getting your degree in cyber security.

• Carnegie Mellon University.

• MIT.

• Georgia Tech.

• Stanford University.