Cybersecurity

Security is an essential component that affects every aspect of how we use information technology. Successful protection of our data and electronic resources results from the integration of proper human actions, policies, procedures, computer software and hardware. As our dependency on technology increases, so does the importance of security for this infrastructure. Therefore, the need for well-trained cybersecurity professionals will exist for the foreseeable future.

Career Information

Cybersecurity employment may be found in three different employment sectors:

  • Commercial Businesses;
  • Federal or State Government
  • Law Enforcement

In the commercial business sector, cloud service companies generate a strong demand for cybersecurity workers due to the fact that they manage substantial quantities of computer infrastructure shared by many clients. In the federal government sector, various intelligence agencies and defense department programs have some of the highest number of job openings in the entire country. In law enforcement, one of the most popular positions used by state and local law enforcement is computer forensics.

Computer Security & Information Assurance

The wide use of electronic commerce and the increasing adoption of mobile technologies mean that more establishments will use the Internet to conduct business online. As a result, employment of Computer Security Specialists is expected to increase more than 32% for the years 2018-2028, which is much faster than the average for many other occupations.

The demand for computer security specialists will grow as businesses and government continue to invest heavily in cybersecurity, protecting vital computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. The information security field is expected to generate many new computer security jobs over the next decade as firms across all industries place a higher priority on safeguarding their data and systems.

Credentials

Program Plan

Industry & Job Information

OCC education programs in computer and information security provide a strong foundation that can lead to a variety of high paying jobs such as:

  • Chief Security Officer
  • Computer Security Specialist
  • Forensics Investigator
  • Information Security Specialist
  • Internet Security Specialist
  • IT Security Manager
  • Network Security Administrator
  • Network Security Manager
  • Network Security Specialist
  • Security Analyst
  • Security Architect
  • Security Engineer
  • Security Technician

Other jobs that include a significant amount of security-related duties are: Systems Administrator or Engineer; and Network Administrator or Engineer.

Quick Facts: Information Security Analysts

Job Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  • 2020 Median Pay: $103,590 per year, $49.80 per hour
  • Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Less than 5 years
  • On-the-Job Training: None
  • Number of Jobs, 2020: 141,200
  • Job Outlook, 2020-30: 33% (Much faster than average)
  • Employment Change, 2020-30: 47,100

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