A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity is a wise choice for students seeking a return on their educational investment through a lucrative career. Many undergraduate students studying cybersecurity opt to add a concentration to their degree—both to set themselves apart from competitors in the job market and to deep-dive into an area of study that fascinates them. For those looking to delve into an area of interest, Norwich offers multiple concentrations within the online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree program.
Why Pursue a Cybersecurity Concentration?
Cybersecurity specialists are in high demand. According to a 2019 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the cybersecurity workforce gap in the United States has increased since 2018 to reach nearly 500,000. From this gap data, (ISC)² estimates that the cybersecurity workforce needs to grow by 62% in order to meet the demands of U.S. businesses today.
So, why pursue a degree concentration? The short answer is: the more specialized your knowledge in cybersecurity the more qualified you become for specialty and supervisory positions. Specialized cybersecurity roles like operational technology security, secure software development, penetration testing, and computer forensics account for about 37% of cybersecurity team resources, on average, according to (ISC)²’s findings. What better reason than to select a specialization and become an expert in one of the many subfields of cybersecurity?
Degree Concentration Options in Cybersecurity
Norwich offers concentrations in computer forensics and vulnerability management and information warfare and security management for cybersecurity professionals looking to tailor their degree.
Computer Forensics and Vulnerability Management
Computer forensics, or digital forensics, is a crucial aspect of law and business in the digital age. This branch of forensic science identifies, preserves, analyzes, and presents digital evidence in legal proceedings. Vulnerability management is the cyclical practice of identifying, classifying, prioritizing, remediating, and mitigating software vulnerabilities. It is a continuous process of testing, reporting, response, and triage. Understanding both forensic processes and cybersecurity protocols is a crucial element of a cybersecurity specialist’s repertoire.
Featured Course: Cyber Investigation
This course is an introduction to cyber investigation. It includes elements of cyber crime, cyber warfare and cyber terrorism. The course will examine investigative techniques for cyber investigators, case studies of representative cyber crimes and cyber warfare incidents, some cyber investigation tools and expert witnessing. The course builds up to a mock trial where students act as a cyber investigation task force on an actual case of cyber crime. This is a course that incorporates extensive reading as well as hands-on lab exercises.
Careers
A concentration in computer forensics and vulnerability management often leads graduates to a career as a computer forensic investigator or computer forensic analyst. These cybersecurity experts use a combination of computer science and investigative skills in their daily work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for information security analysts, which is the categorical umbrella under which the BLS places computer forensics analysts, was $98,350 in May of 2018. They also projected that employment of information security analysts will grow by 32% by 2028—much faster than the average for all occupations.
While computer forensic investigators often work for law enforcement or government organizations, other companies and institutions need their help. Learn more about breaking into a career in this emerging field.
Information Warfare and Security Management
Cybersecurity professionals in information warfare and security are well-versed in the international power dynamics of the internet and conflict in the information environment. They analyze intelligence and assess threats in order to protect national sovereignty in cyberspace.
Featured Course: National Security Policy
This course is an introduction to the issues and institutions of national security policy. Topics include strategic thought and strategy formulation, the ability to assess national security issues and threats, and an understanding of the political and military institutions involved in the making and execution of national security policy.
Careers
Students who opt to pursue a concentration in information warfare and security management may become information warfare officers or cybersecurity managers. These highly skilled experts are valuable to a wide range of employers across industries. Opportunities exist in the armed forces, government, information technology, finance, education, and more. According to GlassDoor, the average salary for an information warfare officer in the United States is $89,531; for a cybersecurity manager, the average salary is $97,469.
Become a Cybersecurity Expert with Highly Specialized Knowledge at Norwich!
If you’re looking for the right online school to pursue your degree with a concentration of your interest, Norwich University offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity with concentrations in both Computer Forensics and Vulnerability Management and Information Warfare and Security Management. Want to learn more about cybersecurity concentrations at Norwich? Request more information about the online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity today!
