In 2020, Cyber Security degree is more in demand than ever. We live in the digital age where cyberterrorist and hackers have incessant opportunities to exploit large companies, government or individuals. To defend against security breaches and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the top organization and institution are willing to hire and pay higher salaries to cyber analyst who can eradicate vulnerabilities and protect their data.

The question that arise is, how a cyber security degree right for you.  What majors of IT and cyber security can lead to better career prospect? In order to clear the mindset with complex question about the expertise of this degree, first we need to cater the basic knowledge of this emerging field.

What is Cyber Security?

The cyber security teaches you to protect data, network and computer operating system from cyber threats. It is to mitigate the risk of cyber-attack. Well, it is oversimplification and a specialization of IT security degree curricula in which the focus is on development of computing skills to preclude attacks and to protect individual privacy and data.

What contents you should look in Cyber Security Degree?

As IT security is a vast field, universities are figuring out better approach for their degree. However, cyber security is a way different as it particularly concentrates on programming, security policies, and digital forensics.  When choosing cyber security as your degree, keep an eye on the curriculum and make sure that it offers programming courses and practical exposure as it is invaluable in future outlook. Well in this era, people in this field has many ways to practice their interest- internship in cyber security companies, cyber security talks or attending any local conferences to cater their queries.

‘This degree is a starting point, so keep your mind open and try to cultivate skills outside academic environment’.

What are the best Cyber Security School in Australia and Worldwide?

Universities are still making amendments in their Cyber Security curricula, keeping in mind the latest development and current needs of the society. That’s the reason that studying IT security is getting advanced and upgraded every year. Let’s have a look at some of the best institutes in Australia and Worldwide that provide academic excellence and practical exposure of this field.

Cyber Security Degree in Australian Universities:

LATROBE UNIVERSITY which is considered as one of the best universities in Melbourne Australia offers a wide range of degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Bachelor of Cyber Security at Latrobe is a 3 year full time degree, that is offered on its Bundoora Campus. It addresses shortage of cyber security professionals and prepare individual with skills across, law, business, IT and strategic communication.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND which is one of the top universities in Queensland, also offer Master of cyber Security (Technical).  The program is a 1.5 year degree that equip students with the transferrable skills. The degree has few options that International Students can select from to have their degree tailored as per their preference. It aims to develop globally technical expertise, to protect digital assets in the increasingly connected world.

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY a university located in Sydney, has many courses that it has to offer for both local and international students. The university is popular for the quality of education that it delivers. Getting into Macquarie University is not easy, however if you have a good CGPA and some work experience than that can definitely help you in securing a place in the University. Among many courses that Macquarie University has to offer, Bachelor of Cyber Security and Master of Cyber Security Analysis is one of those courses that many local students are enrolling into. Master of Cyber Security is a 1 to 1.5 year degree, through which students will not only be briefed about the basics but its course structure is such that it will help students to stand out. Few of its essential units comprises of courses such as:

Such courses are included in the program to enable students to develop in demand skills. The course content is constructed through consultation with cyber security professional and the curricula is up-to-date, concerning latest technological advancement in Australia. It aims to help you gain the skills to defend against cyber criminals and develop expertise in secure coding and artificial intelligence.

The above degrees are few of the degree options for students to consider if they are looking to do a degree in Cyber Security from Australia. Such degrees can also be done from other universities around the world.

So what are the options for students who are willing to do a similar degree but not in Australia? Let’s just dive in and see which universities offer Cyber Security degree in UK

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Cyber Security Degree in UK Universities:

NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY that is almost over 180 years old and has been offering quality education to its students, has many programs that students can select from. Talking about cyber security the university offers Computer Security and Resilience MSc that is a 1 year program in which students from around the world can apply for admission.

For students looking to apply from India, has to meet the following requirements.

At least 60% from section 1 universities, 62% from section 2 universities and 65% from section 3 universities as comparable to a 2.1 and 58% from section 1 universities, 60% from section 2 universities and 63% from section 3 universities as comparable to a 2.2.

For students willing to apply from Pakistan must meet the following criteria:

• GPA 3.2/4.0or 75% in a four year Bachelor degree in any subject as comparable to a 1 and GPA 2.8/4.0 or 70% as comparable to 2.2
• GPA 3.2/4.0or 75% in a Bachelor degree in Engineering (B.Eng) or Tech (Hons) as comparable to a 2.1 and GPA 2.8/4.0or 70% as comparable to 2.2
• GPA 3.0/4.0or 70-75% in a two year Bachelor degree with a two year Master degree as comparable to 1 and GPA 2.8/4.0 or 65-70% as comparable to 2.2
• GPA 3.0/4.0or 70-75% in a 3 year Bachelor degree with a one year Master degree as comparable to 1 and GPA 2.8/4.0 or 65-70% as comparable to 2.2

Student’s from Saudi Arabia has a bit of tough requirement to meet if they want to get into this degree at New Castle University.

The University recognise a minimum GPA of 3.75/5.0 (75%) in a Bachelor degree as comparable to a 2.1 and 3.5/5.0 or 2.8/4.0 (70%) as comparable to a 2.2.

The course help to utilize both technical and soft skill as a cyber security analyst along with extensive on job training.

UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON

To apply for admission, you must submit an online application that includes:

• Scanned copy of undergraduate degree and official transcript.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) that include expected outcomes of the degree you will pursue.
• Resume with detailed position responsibilities of current or previous experience.
• Three recommendation letters that must be submitted through email.
• Scanned of copy of English Language Proficiency.

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Can I pursue Cyber Security degree online?

It can be effective for students who have part time job commitment. The online method can help to learn at your own pace anywhere from the world. However, there will be deadline for projects and exams, flexibility to study and work would be a great advantage. Online Cyber Security degree will help you reduce the tuition fee cost, transportation and living cost in a foreign country.

Make sure to always check accreditation before enrolling online or on campus in any program of the universities worldwide. HarvardX, an online leaning institute of Harvard University provides courses to study online for overseas student. The free course requires registration with detailed information and the student is charged an amount when certificate is issued.

Like other career, cyber security is not a fixed 9 to 6 job. It requires serious dedication and determination to keep an eye and present mind on latest development and knowledge of this field. Another significant and notified aspect is to develop curiosity to know more in as you need to put yourself in a hacker’s shoes. The careers and roles of cybersecurity can be found in banks, government organization, IT companies, insurance companies, retailers, health services and educational institutes. The ultimate goal is to alleviate the risk that requires mastering this malevolent mind, be inquisitive and always on-call.

In demand Cyber Security Jobs and Career:

Are you aware how considerable and in-demand are IT security experts? The U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS states that employment of cyber security analysts is estimated to grow 32% from current until the year 2028, much faster on average than other occupations. The experts are mainly required in educational, financial and healthcare institute in order to protect people asset, health records and transactions. Multiple positions are occupied in this field that quotes higher salaries and demand technical skills along with the ability to analyze and mitigate risk. Few of the best IT security jobs with an annual average salary of USD 60,000 plus are;

• Security Assessor
• Forensic Expert
• Cryptographer
• Information Security Officer
• Security Administrator

Ready to kick-start you career in Cyber Security

Cyber Security is one of the most challenging territories in the field of Information Technology. It’s an extremely unbalanced game with opponents unknown, and any mistake can cost a fortune. On a positive look, it is a tremendously rewarding job in terms of successful career and higher salaries. To land a top cyber security position, search a university that focus on technology, expert curriculum, flexible schedule and transferrable credits.

What are you waiting for? Around 3 million jobs are open for a cyber security professional. Make a proper research and equip yourself with latest technologies and advancement in the IT profession. It’s possible to go from a computer novice and become an expertise in cyber security only if you gain formal education and practical hand on this field. With the help of minor elements mentioned above, an interested individual can find a clear pathway to become an IT security professional that can prompt a successful career.