{"id":330,"date":"2022-04-12T19:25:10","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T19:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/?p=330"},"modified":"2022-04-12T19:25:11","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T19:25:11","slug":"are-cybersecurity-degrees-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/2022\/04\/12\/are-cybersecurity-degrees-worth-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Cybersecurity Degrees Worth it?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Cybersecurity is one of the up-and-coming career paths with over one million jobs available worldwide.\u00a0 With many other career paths becoming obsolete, and their futures uncertain, many people are starting to change direction, and head towards cyber-focused jobs.\u00a0 Colleges are offering cyber-based bachelor’s degrees to their students.\u00a0 As an alternative cyber-certifications are starting to become widely available, to those who are making a career switch later in life.\u00a0 With these two options in mind for beginning a career in cybersecurity, one may ask themselves the question, are cybersecurity degrees worth the cost and time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0 An article stated that \u201cThe total cost of a degree in cybersecurity will typically run anywhere from $20,000-$70,000\u201d (Moore).\u00a0 The annual average salary for a job in cybersecurity earns up to $100,556 (ZipRecruiter). \u00a0 This means that if someone in Virginia made $100,556 a year, and had to pay back a $70,000 loan at 5.8% interest rate at $400 a month, it would only take around ten years to do so.\u00a0 While on ZipRecruiter, the website listed out many different cybersecurity jobs as well as the requirements for each job.\u00a0 Specifically dealing with information systems auditing the basic requirement for this job, are that a candidate needs to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or an IT-related field.\u00a0 This network brought up the idea of networking while in school, which is a huge added bonus to getting a cyber degree.\u00a0 While at school, one may get the opportunity to talk and learn from teachers, advisors, and other peers as well as participate in internships outside of the university, in an effort to establish meaningful connections. \u00a0These connections may help that person get a job, or advance them in their career path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are ways to get into the cybersecurity field without getting a degree in cybersecurity.\u00a0 One of those ways is through obtaining certifications.\u00a0 According to an article produced by the University of California, Berkely, the top three certifications in cybersecurity are the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and the CompTIA Security+ (Berkeley).\u00a0 While on ZipRecruiter looking at the different types of cyber jobs most require the CISSP certification.\u00a0 Another required certification for these types of jobs is the CAP certification.\u00a0 CAP stands for Certified Authorization Professional.\u00a0 This certification \u201cvalidates and certifies an individual\u2019s skills, experience, and methodologies in implementing and maintaining authorization on information systems\u201d (Techopedia).\u00a0 Meaning that this certification ensures that an individual knows how to implement and carry through the proper procedures, that authorize the correct personnel to access a specific system.\u00a0 Another highly sought-after certification on Ziprecruiter was the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).\u00a0 This certification requires that individuals have extensive knowledge about implementing, planning, and executing audit strategies for information systems (Teravainen).\u00a0 These certifications do not come without a cost.\u00a0 When doing some extra research the CISSP can cost around $699 (New Horizons).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As additional research for this paper, an interview was conducted with a Senior Manager at Sia Partners. \u00a0During the interview, Mr. Judd was asked to depict some qualifications that he looks for in potential employees, as well as the realities of work-life in cybersecurity.\u00a0 A little background information is needed first.\u00a0 Scott Judd is a Senior Manager with his main roles being Head of Southeast Hub Technology, Practice Area Leader for Information Security.\u00a0 Mr. Judd has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and an MBA in IT concentration.\u00a0 Currently, he is working on obtaining his CISA certification.\u00a0 When posed a question asking Mr. Judd how many of his employees did not have a college degree, Mr. Judd\u2019s response was, \u201cCurrently none, however, in my previous role as IT Infrastructure and Operations Director, I had 2 Networking employees with equivalent certifications. It did take an exception from the Chief Operating Officer in order to hire employees without a college degree\u201d (Judd).\u00a0 Next, Mr. Judd was asked if potential employees could have limitations in their line of work if they do not have a degree? To which he responded, \u201cAbsolutely, it prohibits entry-level positions and limits career advancement opportunities for the employees due to their experience and certifications\u201d (Judd).\u00a0 The last question asked Mr. Judd was asking for his opinion if he would recommend that a student get a college degree in cybersecurity. His answer was \u201cYes\u201d (Judd), and his reasoning was that the cyber field will not be obsolete anytime soon as long as information, and money continues to be driven through technology\/computers\/networks.\u00a0 Criminals will try to exploit weakness, and cybersecurity professionals will be needed to respond (Judd).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After taking a look at all the evidence presented, one can conclude that some form of a college degree is worth it, however, that degree may not necessarily need to be cyber-based.\u00a0 If someone has the time to go back to school the cost benefits definitely outweigh the cost disadvantages.\u00a0 If someone is not able to go back to school either due to cost or time, then certifications are a good option.\u00a0 Just keep in mind that certification also take time and money to get and needs to be recertified every year.\u00a0 Overall, if one has the time cybersecurity degrees are worth the time and money they take to earn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Works Cited<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow to Earn the CISSP Certification: Cost, Requirements and Study Tips.\u201d New Horizons<\/em>, New <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horizons, 6 Aug. 2019, https:\/\/www.newhorizons.com\/resources\/d\/blog\/how-to-earn-the-cissp-certification-cost-requirements-and-study-tips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow to Get into Cybersecurity without a Degree.\u201d Berkeley Boot Camps<\/em>, University of <\/p>\n\n\n\n

California, 21 Aug. 2020, https:\/\/bootcamp.berkeley.edu\/blog\/cybersecurity-without-degree\/. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt Security Analyst Job in Hampton, VA at Banner Quality Management Inc.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ZipRecruiter,   https:\/\/www.ziprecruiter.com\/jobs\/banner-quality-management-inc-e8f9f6e0\/it-security-analyst-  d0e732bc?enc_campaign_id=e5c5742c&tsid=122003167&utm_source=channel-1&utm_campaign=id-  5apxIc%2BCpiYf95orFFxYRZ%2BhxdAp3JnwG38LzcXS4py2Xg6Eka3qjg%3D%3D. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200b\u200bJudd, Darcy, and Scott Judd. \u201cInterview About the Realities in a Workplace without a College <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Degree.\u201d 16 Mar. 2002. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moore, Michelle. \u201c10 Reasons Why a Cyber Security Degree Is Worth It.\u201d University of<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Diego Online Degrees<\/em>, 15 Feb. 2022, https:\/\/onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu\/10-reasons-to-get-your-masters-degree-in-cyber-security\/#:~:text=Today%2C%20most%20employers%20seek%20a,security%20and%20expanded%20career%20opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Techopedia. \u201cWhat Is a Certified Authorization Professional (CAP)? – Definition from <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Techopedia.\u201d Techopedia.com<\/em>, Techopedia, 27 Mar. 2014, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/29815\/certified-authorization-professional-cap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teravainen, Taina. \u201cWhat Is Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)? .\u201d SearchSecurity<\/em>, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TechTarget, 5 Oct. 2021, https:\/\/www.techtarget.com\/searchsecurity\/definition\/Certified-Information-Systems-Auditor-CISA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat Is the Average Cyber Security Salary .\u201d Ziprecruiter<\/em>, Ziprecruiter Inc, 2022,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.ziprecruiter.com\/Salaries\/What-Is-the-Average-Cyber-Security-Salary-by-State.\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cybersecurity is one of the up-and-coming career paths with over one million jobs available worldwide.\u00a0 With many other career paths becoming obsolete, and their futures uncertain, many people are starting to change direction, and head towards cyber-focused jobs.\u00a0 Colleges are offering cyber-based bachelor’s degrees to their students.\u00a0 As an alternative cyber-certifications are starting to become… <\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":17891,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wds_primary_category":0},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17891"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=330"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":332,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330\/revisions\/332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/darcyjudd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}