Is a Cyber Security Associate Degree Worth It? [2022 Guide] (2024)

FAQs

Is an Associates in cyber security good enough? ›

An Associate's degree is enough to start a career in cyber security. However, the degree path that's right for you will depend on your career goals. For example, if you want to obtain a position higher than entry-level, you may need to obtain your Bachelor's degree.

No, cybersecurity isn't hard. Although there may be difficult concepts, like cryptography or areas that require more technical knowledge, cybersecurity is one of the few fields in the tech world that doesn't require a strong technical background.

As long as digital assets exist, cybersecurity professionals will be in demand. This indicates high job security, which coupled with high earning potential shows that a cybersecurity degree is worth it.

Yes, a cyber security associate degree is worth it for many professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information technology jobs are set to grow at 11% over the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Graduates can qualify for several entry-level cybersecurity careers with two-year degrees. Potential jobs include computer support specialist and network analyst. Employers often prefer applicants with bachelor's degrees for positions like information security analyst and penetration tester.

Most entry-level and mid-level cybersecurity positions like cybersecurity analyst aren't math intensive. There's a lot of graphs and data analysis, but the required math isn't particularly advanced. If you can handle basic programming and problem solving, you can thrive.

There are countless entry-level cybersecurity jobs available to those who do not have a degree. That said, it is worth noting that many require applicants to have additional training to prove that they have the skills necessary for the job at hand.

Do Cybersecurity Analysts Code? For most entry-level cybersecurity jobs, coding skills are not required. However, as cybersecurity professionals seek mid- or upper-level positions, coding may be necessary to advance in the field.

A Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity will take four years to complete. You can follow it up with a two-year Master's degree. Alternatively, you can learn cybersecurity through online resources and courses. Doing so will take you anywhere from six months to a year to learn the basics and be ready for a workplace.

Is cyber security hard for beginners? ›

Learning cybersecurity can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be difficult, especially if you're passionate about technology. Nurture a curiosity for the technologies you're working with, and you might find that challenging skills become easier.

Anyone can learn cybersecurity! You don't need an IT background to jump in and start learning about cybersecurity; anyone, regardless of their background, can learn cyber. You just need to be willing to invest the time to learn something new!

Cybersecurity staff are feeling burnout and stressed to the extent that many are considering leaving their jobs. According to research by VMware, 47% of cybersecurity incident responders say they've experienced burnout or extreme stress over the past 12 months.

Job Satisfaction: 71% of respondents in North America said they were satisfied in an ISC2 study with 36% saying they were very satisfied. A similar survey from PayScale found that the average cyber security engineer gave a job satisfaction of 3.83 out of 5. This is about 10% over the average of 51% among US workers.

Certificates are also helpful for those with IT jobs who want to advance their career. Time: A certificate takes the least amount of time (about a year), while the degree programs take a little longer. But a degree gives you a more well-rounded education and deeper knowledge of cybersecurity.

You can learn the basics of cybersecurity in a year with the right bootcamps and courses. It takes about two years of hands-on experience to consider yourself competent in cybersecurity. As you upskill further with resources and certifications, this time frame may increase.

While many jobs in cyber security do state that a bachelor's degree is required, your associate's degree may open the door to an entry-level position. If you have already been working in an IT department, you might speak with the security experts to see if you can work with them as you complete your courses.

Companies are increasingly hiring cybersecurity job applicants who do not have college degrees but do have relevant certificates. The field is growing so fast that there simply aren't enough degree-holding candidates to fill the positions, so those who have the right certificates have a great chance of getting hired.

What is the difference between cyber security and IT security? ›

If you're in information security, your main concern is protecting your company's data from unauthorized access of any sort—and if you're in cybersecurity, your main concern is protecting your company's sensitive data from unauthorized electronic access.

These certification costs range from $249, like the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), to $2,499 for the GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC). Additionally, several colleges and universities offer specialized cybersecurity certifications. They typically cost several thousand dollars.

The first thing you need to tackle when it comes to cybersecurity is the basics of IT systems and networks, for example, the different types of networks available and their protocols. Once you are familiar with the fundamentals you can delve into the basics of networking traffic, security, and communication principles.

Salaries can range depending on where you live, but full-time cybersecurity jobs are on the rise everywhere. Software engineers earn slightly more than cybersecurity professionals; the BLS found the 2021 median pay to be $120,990 per year or $58.05 per hour for a freelance programmers' income.

Python can be used for mostly everything in cybersecurity

Like python can be used in making payloads, used for malware analysis, decoding of packets, accessing servers, network scanning, port scanning and many more.

A cybersecurity analyst's daily responsibilities include performing preventive measures, system monitoring, and data analysis. They may also review network activity, looking for potential threats.

Knowledge Level: There is less programming involved in cybersecurity; however, it requires a deeper understanding of networks, operating systems, system management, and core security. Consequently, cybersecurity requires a more extensive set of qualifications than coding.

Most cyber security professionals spend roughly 40 hours a week in the office for full-time employment. However, during technology releases or program updates there are often longer hours required. Sometimes systems need updates or maintenance overnight, over weekends, etc.

Can you learn cyber security in 3 months? ›

It can be as little as four months, maybe less. The time it takes to know cybersecurity depends on you, the individual learning it. Sign Up To Learn About Cybersecurity: Introduction To IT & Cybersecurity.

Core cybersecurity roles are the most commonly requested job categories across the cybersecurity ecosystem. They are classified as entry-level, mid-level, or advanced-level based upon the experience, education levels, and credentials requested by employers.

Securing the Cloud

It found that many IT security leaders are struggling to keep up with evolving threats and new cybersecurity practices, while also reporting issues around recruitment, retention and work-life balance that are prompting many to turn away from the industry.

Is Cybersecurity Boring? No Way (At Least, Once You're Past Entry Level Jobs…) The next way to answer the question “is cybersecurity a good career?” is to explore whether it's mentally stimulating job. Most of the security experts we talked said that they don't get bored in their roles in cybersecurity.

A: “ A typical day would be 10-12 hours long to ensure enough coverage of customers in all time zones. I'm the prime definition of a morning person. I usually wake up very early – around 4:30 am – and may jump on calls with Europe or Africa.

Like all positions, cybersecurity professionals enjoy all the benefits all full-time employees enjoy with their respective careers. A full-time cybersecurity professional will get the same paid time off, insurance, and general career benefits that a full-time employee at any other industry would.

Cyber security degrees tend to be more challenging than non-research type majors, such as programs in the humanities or business, but are usually not as difficult as degrees in research or lab intensive areas, such as science and engineering.

A cybersecurity certificate prepares you for entry-level jobs in the industry. Yes, some of the higher-paying IT and information security jobs still require a degree, but the certificate provides a foot in the door. Once you're in, you'll gain real-world experience that is just as valuable to employers as any degree.

How much do you make starting out in cyber security? ›

How much does an Entry Level Cyber Security make? As of Nov 22, 2022, the average annual pay for an Entry Level Cyber Security in the United States is $69,379 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $33.36 an hour.

U.S. News & World report ranks it as the #1 Best Job for 2022 primarily due to the job market, growth potential, and salary. According to 2020 data from the BLS, cybersecurity and information security analysts earn an average annual salary of $107,580 per year ($51.72 per hour).

Do Cybersecurity Analysts Code? For most entry-level cybersecurity jobs, coding skills are not required. However, as cybersecurity professionals seek mid- or upper-level positions, coding may be necessary to advance in the field.

Does cybersecurity involve math? The short answer is yes. Cybersecurity is a technical field in computer science, and potential job seekers will need strong analytical skills. It isn't a math-intensive field—not like astrophysics or engineering—but it requires comfort using certain math types.

Cybersecurity is a technical field, but any non-technical person can become technical by learning cybersecurity basics. Soft skills are also highly important, and there are project management roles that focus more on management skills than technical skills.

Although it will help, it's not required to have previous experience in the field to qualify for an entry-level junior cybersecurity position. We had students who started with no IT experience and obtained a high paying job in cybersecurity. Having a degree in cybersecurity or IT is not required as well.

Jobs in both cybersecurity and data science can provide opportunities to earn a lucrative salary. However, data scientists typically earn more than cybersecurity professionals. The average salary for a data scientist is $119,378 per year , while a cybersecurity analyst earns an average of $94,360 per year .

Cybersecurity is a fast-growing, lucrative career field in which professionals can feel good about their work. While a bachelor's degree can give career seekers a leg up, certification offers credibility, real-world knowledge, and a valuable tool for securing and succeeding in cybersecurity jobs.

Most cyber security professionals spend roughly 40 hours a week in the office for full-time employment. However, during technology releases or program updates there are often longer hours required. Sometimes systems need updates or maintenance overnight, over weekends, etc.

How long does IT take to learn cybersecurity? ›

You can learn the basics of cybersecurity in a year with the right bootcamps and courses. It takes about two years of hands-on experience to consider yourself competent in cybersecurity. As you upskill further with resources and certifications, this time frame may increase.