From the help desk to the boardroom: where can your degree in cybersecurity take you?

William Woods Undergraduate

For individuals exploring the vast world of cyber security, you have a large variety of available career options, specializations, and starting points. You may even have taken your first steps into the field by working at a help desk and in IT Support. However, a degree in cybersecurity, combined with the necessary work experience and certifications, paves the way for a robust and lucrative career ladder. While specific skills, responsibilities, and titles vary in accordance with particular workplaces, you will find a great deal of opportunity and growth, as described in the following career steps.

Security Specialist is the next step in the cyber security career path and a smart choice for someone hoping to delve into the profession. A security specialist protects the software and network security system for an organization. In this position, you will become the go-to person regarding the overall safety of your employer’s data.

This position often requires certifications, such as the Security+ and Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) in addition to work experience and educational backgrounds in cyber security.

Security Analyst plays the vital role of analyzing the security policies and protocol of an organization in order to do a thorough audit to determine specific places of weakness within the security system. A large part of your role in this position will revolve around anticipating future flaws in the system and threats that may occur.

These positions are well suited for those who have a degree in cyber security. Professional certification, such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) qualification is a valuable asset.

Cyber Security Engineer/Architect serve to protect an organization’s computer and networking systems from potential hackers and cyber-attacks. They work to implement and design sophisticated and tough to crack security systems to outsmart criminals. As the frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks continue to grow, the jobs of the cyber security engineer and architect plays an extremely important role for businesses.

These positions require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in cyber security or a related field. Certifications such as CASP, Cisco, and CISSP may be required by specific employers.

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) combines a mastering of business and cyber security. This position involves many responsibilities. The CISO oversees all security policies and procedures of a company. You will be required to be up to date on the latest technologies and trends in cyber security, as well as on cyber criminal behavior. The CISO looks at all company decisions, bearing in mind the impact from a security standpoint.

This position requires extensive training and experience and is the pinnacle of the cyber security profession. In order to reach this career point, individuals often attain an MBA with IT Security focus and achieve extra certifications and training, including CISSP and CISM.

The William Woods University Online BS in Cybersecurity program is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce. These graduates typically pursue careers as information security analysts particularly in the banking and financial industry, healthcare industry, governmental organizations and within the military.

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