Careers in cybersecurity 

Job growth isn’t the only advantage cybersecurity has to recommend it. Careers in this field offer additional advantages like learning opportunities, the chance to make a positive impact in one’s organization and the ability to leverage cutting-edge technology.

Graff states: “Explore the many different careers in IT such as cybersecurity, computer science, data science, software development, cloud computing, network defense, information security and more. Within these broad IT fields, you can delve into machine learning, virtual reality, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, ethical hacking, sniffing and network analysis, penetration testing and cloud technologies. These emerging technologies are revolutionizing organizations and how we function day-to-day.”

Entry-level cybersecurity roles  

Kicking off a career in cybersecurity can start with acquiring a cybersecurity certificate or associate degree. For example, University of Phoenix offers the following programs:

• Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate
• Associate of Arts with a concentration in Information Technology

Options like those can help expedite the enhancement of your knowledge and experience, which can be attractive for individuals working in the field and looking to upskill quickly.

Asked if one needs a college degree to work in cybersecurity, Graff states: “Based on my research and conversations with employers and cybersecurity professionals, those interested in cybersecurity would greatly benefit from a degree as it will help students expand their knowledge and skills and prepare them for careers in cyber. A degree can prepare you for more job opportunities as many organizations still require employees to have an IT degree. A degree will also expose students to the many areas in cybersecurity and establish a strong foundation to build upon. I encourage those interested in cybersecurity to earn industry certifications during or soon after the completion of a degree.”

Entry-level roles may require candidates to hold a certificate, an associate degree or fewer than three years of real-world experience to qualify.

As you grow in your career, you might seek roles designed for more experienced candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree or specific third-party security certifications or certificates.

A bachelor’s degree — such as a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from University of Phoenix — provides foundational knowledge and skills that benefit a cybersecurity career. The comprehensive UOPX degree program can strengthen your technical expertise, widen your cybersecurity skill set and help prepare you for more advanced roles and certifications. It can also help prepare you for cybersecurity leadership roles.

An individual with a degree in cybersecurity can pursue several careers. Below are just a few you can obtain with an advanced certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree.

Note: Titles and responsibilities vary across industries and organizations.

• Information security specialist — Creates and enacts security measures so that a company’s or organization’s computer networks and systems stay protected.
• Computer security analyst — Protects networks and systems from cyber threats and restores protection if needed.
• IT specialist — Typically maintains and repairs computer networks as needed and may also assist with other technology at a company office or organization.
• Systems analyst — Evaluates database programs and resolves user issues.
• Information systems supervisor (also known as an information systems manager) — Typically oversees other IT professionals with the overall goal to maintain a company’s or organization’s computer systems.
• IT systems security analyst — Maintains and monitors a company’s or organization’s computer networks to ensure there are no security breaches.

Roles such as those help students learn how to integrate elements of security in a networked environment, and how to coordinate the use of information security tools within an organization. 

Advanced or senior-level cybersecurity roles 

Master’s degrees in computer science, IT or cybersecurity are sometimes required for more senior positions in the industry. Enrolling in a master’s degree program — such as a Master of Science in Cybersecurity at University of Phoenix — will teach you more in-depth knowledge about the field to complement your experience and undergraduate education.  

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program teaches advanced topics like:

• How to better spot security vulnerabilities hackers might exploit
• How to develop an incident response
• How to determine which preexisting security policies need to be updated
• How to implement new security policies

Here are some common advanced or senior-level cybersecurity role titles:

• Network security analyst — Helps protect companies’ networks from cyber threats.
• Security analyst — Works to find and fix issues within a security system by accessing threats and cyberattacks.
• Information security officer — Typically creates risk management plans for IT systems and monitors networks and other computer systems.

Types of cybersecurity degrees 

Starting your degree in cybersecurity or enhancing your cybersecurity education is easy at University of Phoenix. Several degree programs and certificate options answer a variety of needs and interests.

• Information Assurance and Security Certificate: Gain technical skills in information systems, wireless networking, cybersecurity, cryptography and systems security in as little as seven months.
• Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate: Develop technical knowledge to step into the fast-growing field of IT security, helping keep computer systems safe from data breaches and cyberattacks.
• Cyber and Network Defense Certificate: Take a proactive approach to network security by spotting weaknesses before hackers can exploit them. This certificate program prepares you to take the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) exam.
• Associate of Science in Cybersecurity: Courses align to the following certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Network Defender (CND) and Certified Secure Computer User (CSCU). This program was awarded the EC-Council’s 2019 and 2023 Academic Circle of Excellence Award and is designed to help you develop problem-solving skills and techniques needed to defend the cyber domain.
• Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity: Learn how to build secure firewalls, deter hacker attacks and help maintain system protection.
• Master of Science in Cybersecurity: Gain a deeper understanding of how to protect data through a variety of cyber defenses, including cloud security, threat intelligence and secure programming.

Skills needed for cybersecurity 

A career in cybersecurity requires a mastery of several hard and soft skills. A successful cybersecurity professional will demonstrate the ability to balance these skills daily. 

Hard skills 

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, employers search for cybersecurity professionals with foundational hard skills, including an understanding of:

• Computer, cloud and blockchain architecture and security
• IoT
• Data management
• Cryptography
• Networking
•  Secure coding principles
• Operating system internals
• Proficiency with Linux-based systems
• Fluency in low-level scripted and compiled programming languages, such as Python, SQL and Java
• Familiarity with common exploitation methods and mitigation techniques
• Familiarity with cybersecurity policy planning and compliance audits like HIPAA, PCI DSS, NIST and ISO standards.

Security certifications such as:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Network Defender (CND)
• Certified Secure Computer User (CSCU)
• Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)