Top Cyber Security Schools

Top Cyber Security Schools – Before We Get Into The Topic, Let’s Learn Some Basic Of This Topic

Find Virginia Cyber Security Degrees

Virginia is one of the most populous states when it comes to cybersecurity education and starting a new profession in the field.

A total of 20 institutions have been designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE), which comprises a mix of community colleges and larger universities.

Cyber Security Degrees In Virginia

NSA CAE Designated Institutions For Cyber Security In Virginia

Online coursework and whole programs are accessible in many circumstances, and some curricula will place a focus on a specific subject group. Many of these institutions will be covered by Cyber Defense, which will set a standard for either teaching (CAE CDE) or research (CAE-R).

Two-year degrees have their own label, which is usually reserved for community or specialized schools. A few colleges have been designated as Cyber Operations Centers of Excellence (CAE) (CAE-CO). The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are in charge of all accreditation (DHS).

Online Cyber Security Programs In Virginia

Strayer University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with an emphasis in Cybersecurity, which is one of the many online programs offered in Virginia. Network Server Administration I, Computer Forensic Technology, Perimeter Defense Techniques, and Network Penetration Testing are the courses students will take in the concentration. For individuals pursuing a Cisco track, the first-class focuses on how to deal with the Windows server environment and can be replaced with an Advanced Routing course.

Liberty University Cyber Security Programs

Liberty University offers a similar program that is entirely online. The Bachelor of Science in Information with an Information Assurance emphasis requires 120 credit hours to complete. Each course is eight weeks long, and the institution will accept up to 75% of transfer credits toward their program.

Cyber-Security, Information Security Planning, and Network Security are some examples of courses. Obtaining a cybersecurity degree in higher education through an online school is a more convenient option, and Pennsylvania has several universities that offer certificates, undergraduate, and graduate programs.

Courses can be delivered synchronously, in which students can watch lectures remotely and participate in a virtual classroom, or in an asynchronous model, in which students can watch recorded lectures on demand. Students usually complete coursework at their own leisure, although they must satisfy weekly deadlines.

Master’s In Cyber Security Degrees In Virginia

Many programs in the state of Virginia focus on further education after a Bachelor’s degree, and there are plenty of online options as well.

George Mason University MS in Applied Information Technology

The Volgenau School of Engineering at George Mason University offers a Master of Science in Applied Information Technology with a Cyber Security specialization. This program is designed for students with a Bachelor’s degree and many years of experience in computer technology. To complete the program, you’ll need at least 30 credits, and most of them are available online and vary from semester to semester. Essentials of Algorithms and Data Structures, Database Management Systems, Fundamentals of Computing Platforms, and Information: Representation, Processing, and Visualization are among the required courses.

College transcripts, a personal statement on career aspirations, two letters of recommendation, and an updated résumé are all required for admission to the Volgenau School of Engineering, specifically in this program. Unless the student does not have a Bachelor’s degree, no GRE or GMAT results are required. Cybersecurity analysts or engineers, intelligence analysts, and project management analysts are among the jobs available to those with a Master’s degree in applied IT.

Working In Cyber Security In Virginia

There are many chances for students to get an education in cybersecurity to prepare for any level of job position in Virginia, thanks to the large array of institutions offered. Those with little experience should look at associate degrees or certifications offered by Cisco or CompTIA.

A graduate certification or Master’s degree in cybersecurity would be an excellent choice for those working in the IT business but seeking a career shift. Because Virginia is so close to Washington, DC, where there are numerous government possibilities in cybersecurity, there are numerous conferences, workshops, and groups to help professionals expand their knowledge and network.

• Undergraduate Degrees: The CAE has classified two programs under Cyber Operations, the first of which is at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (better known as Virginia Tech University). They hold a BS in Computer Engineering with a minor in Networking and Cybersecurity. To graduate, students must complete 131 credit hours while maintaining a 2.0 GPA. Students must complete three credit hours of networking design, nine credit hours of technical networking, three credit hours of engineering and science, and then two or three credits from any category that is pass or fail courses when it comes to elective selections.
• The College of Arts and Letters at Old Dominion University offers a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations. The curriculum is only offered on-campus and will cover topics in computer science and computer engineering, with plenty of hands-on laboratories and projects to help students prepare for real-world problems. A Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Cybercrime and a Minor in Cybersecurity is also available. These programs will take four years to complete and will include topics such as Digital Forensics, Enterprise Risk Management, and Cybersecurity Cryptography.
• Masters and Continuing Education: The College of Science, Engineering, and Technology at Norfolk State University offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity, a program that focuses entirely on the industry, which requires more properly trained workers to protect US companies and agencies from cyber attacks. For those interested in working in the healthcare field, courses include Computer and Network Forensics, Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing, and Healthcare Information Security. The curriculum requires 36 total credit hours to complete, with each class including no more than 20 students for more personalized learning. The program culminates in a capstone project that demonstrates what the student has learned throughout their studies.

A master’s degree in information security from James Madison University can be earned entirely online. This curriculum uses interactive labs to demonstrate the most recent advancements in working on cybersecurity class topics. Small class sizes allow lecturers to provide more individualized attention. Students can choose between a thesis or non-thesis curriculum, with the latter consisting of two special topics courses and a comprehensive exam, with students having two opportunities to pass and graduate. Graduates of the program have gone on to become high-ranking officials in both the federal government and large enterprises.

• Cyber Security Job Chances: There are several job opportunities in Virginia, with Chantilly, Arlington, Herndon, and McLean being attractive cities. ManTech International, General Dynamics Information Technology, and Booz Allen Hamilton are among the major organizations that are aggressively seeking cybersecurity personnel. General Dynamics is a defense business based in the United States that was created 120 years ago and concentrates on aerospace technology development. General Dynamics’ cybersecurity analyst would be responsible for discovering and reporting cyber threats in their networks, preparing status reports and delivering them to higher-level executives, documenting any current problems, and collecting any evidence of harmful attack actions.

Virginia Cyber Security Careers

According to CompTIA, Virginia has the sixth-highest number of IT workers, with cybersecurity and systems analysts accounting for a major share of those employed. The IT services industry is expanding at a rate of 2.2 percent each year.

Virginia has the highest employment rate for information security analysts, with over $14,000 workers, and the sixth-highest average compensation, with over $111,780 as of the annual mean wage, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. As expected, the metropolitan area of Washington, Arlington, and Alexandria has one of the highest levels of cybersecurity employment and wage in the country.

Top Cyber Security and Tech Employers and Organizations

Because of the location, there are numerous opportunities to meet and network with diverse cybersecurity professionals, particularly in the government sector.

DC Cybersecurity Professionals

DC Cybersecurity Professionals, situated in Arlington, is one of the largest meetup groups, with over 7,200 members. Since 2012, this group has convened regularly to discuss the most recent developments in information security. Introduction courses in artificial intelligence and cloud security, workshops, and happy hour networking events have been held for people of all levels of cybersecurity understanding.