What Can I Do With a Master’s in Cybersecurity?
Technology is all around us. With the rise in tech comes an increased need for security and safety. The Eller College MS in Cybersecurity is designed for working professionals who want to gain technical mastery in the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity professionals are the gatekeepers of information systems and cyber-physical systems. They plan and execute security measures to shield an organization’s computer systems, networks, and networked devices from infiltration and cyberattacks.
The Eller College of Management Master’s in Cybersecurity program can propel your career forward by bolstering your technical and analytical abilities and equipping you with the skills to understand how to prevent, monitor and respond to data breaches and cyberattacks.
What Can I Learn?
Designed for working professionals, the 33-credit, online Master’s in Cybersecurity program allows students to assess, prevent, and manage information and systems security-related risks through hands-on, interactive classes. The curriculum draws courses from the University of Arizona’s programs in Management Information Systems (MIS), Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) and Systems & Industrial Engineering (SIE).
Cybersecurity classes cover topics such as:
- Cyber threat intelligence. Students will become familiar with the cyber threat intelligence lifecycle, identifying, collecting, and integrating intelligence feeds, common intelligence formats, and standard cyber threat intelligence technologies (e.g., CIF servers, TAXII servers, SIEM’s, etc.) for novel analysis using AI (artificial intelligence).
- Penetration testing. Also known as ethical hacking, penetration testing is the act of breaking into a system with the permission and legal consent of the organization or individual who owns and operates the system, with the purpose of identifying vulnerabilities to strengthening the organization’s security. Students will conduct hands-on penetration tests in a lab environment to practice the concepts presented and tools reviewed in the course.
- Systems security management. Students gain a working knowledge of issues and techniques surrounding the proper safeguarding of operating systems and related components.
- Information security. In one course, students are exposed to information security in public and private sectors. Topics range from hardware, software and network security to INFOSEC, OPSEC and NSTISS overviews, while components include national policy, threats, countermeasures and risk management.
- Cyber warfare. Students will learn about common tools used during penetration assessments and hardening system defenses. Drawing from previous classes, they will be able to combine skills in online defense and penetration exercises of systems in a virtual environment.
What Jobs Can I Get?
Jobs in the cybersecurity field run the gamut from IT support to security intelligence. Positions include:
- Data scientist
- Senior cybersecurity engineer
- Senior cloud security consultant
- Computer network defense analyst
- Information technology specialist
- Information systems security engineer
- Computer network defense analyst
- Data analyst
- Chief information security officer
Is It Worth It?
The demand for cybersecurity is on the rise. From September 2022 to August 2023, there were 72 cybersecurity workers for every 100 cybersecurity jobs demanded by employers, according to CyberSeek, a tool created by Lightcast, CompTIA and NICE.
On top of that, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that from between 2022 and 2032, the job growth for two cybersecurity-related roles—computer systems analysts and information security analysts—will grow by 10 percent and 32 percent, respectively.
The Master’s in Cybersecurity program can help you elevate your technical mastery of cybersecurity and take your career to the next level. Learn more about how to apply here.
Ready to Learn More?