How to Get a Degree or Certificate in Cybersecurity

How to Get a Degree or Certificate in Cybersecurity

A cybersecurity degree or certificate is a great way to start your career in the cybersecurity industry. Due to the rampant increase in cyber attacks, more cybersecurity jobs are posted every day, meaning there are a lot of well-paid job opportunities out there for qualified individuals.

A quick browse of cybersecurity job adverts reveals that a degree or certification in Cybersecurity is highly desirable, and many candidates won’t even get an interview without the relevant qualifications. If you want to be a part of the rapidly evolving cybersecurity industry, then a relevant degree or certificate will go a long way.

Wondering how to get a degree or certificate in cybersecurity? Look no further, as we have compiled all of the information you need to know below.

Decide what cybersecurity job interests you

Colleges and universities are offering more degrees and courses that provide individuals with the necessary skills for cybersecurity jobs. While a cybersecurity degree will teach you relevant skills for most entry-level jobs, specific certificates will help you to secure more specialized roles.

Whether you want to be a cybersecurity engineer, analyst, or auditor, it is a good idea to find out which area of cybersecurity you would like to work in before getting a degree or certificate.

Find out what degree or certificate you need

The requirements for each cybersecurity job differ slightly. For example, an entry-level cybersecurity analyst role may require a Security+ certificate, whereas an advanced cybersecurity engineer candidate needs to hold a degree along with relevant experience in the field.

cybersecurity degree

Find out requirements for cybersecurity degrees and certificates

Although a cybersecurity degree and certificate provide you with the required knowledge to work in the internet security sector, to get onto a course in the first place, you’ll need to meet some requirements. These usually include:

  • High school diploma with decent grades in science and maths (usually only necessary for a degree)
  • Work experience in cybersecurity (the number of years required changes depending on the certificate)

For example, if you have never worked in the cybersecurity field before, then the CISSP certificate may be slightly out of reach. We recommend first gaining some experience before signing up for a course in this certification.

Sign up for a degree or course

Once you know what cybersecurity degree or certificate you want to get, you can sign up for the appropriate course at a school or college. As mentioned earlier, most universities now offer relevant cybersecurity degrees, but some schools are better than others in this area, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Signing up for a course that offers a certification like Security+ or CISSP may be easier than enrolling in a degree. Many of these courses are online-based and have a less rigorous application procedure. College applications for a degree can take anywhere from a few months up to a year to complete, and there isn’t always the guarantee of being accepted. On the flip side, there are many institutions that allow you to sign up for a cybersecurity certification course within a matter of seconds, such as through the (ISC)² association.

It’s also important to remember that the cost of a degree or cybersecurity certificate will be widely different depending on a few factors such as:

  • The degree or course you choose.
  • The organization you study through.
  • Whether the program is online or offline.
  • How long the course takes to complete.
  • Additional examination costs.

Working towards a degree will cost a lot more than studying on a short-term cybersecurity course. You’ll likely need to pay in full for a course like Security+ and pay in installments for a degree. Make sure that you have enough money saved up so that you can afford to do the course of your choice.

Obtaining a cybersecurity degree or certificate

Getting a degree or certificate in cybersecurity requires a lot of hard work. There will be classes to attend, reading outside of class hours, and examinations to prepare for. Depending on the nature of the degree or course you take, you’ll likely be required to sit and pass both written and practical examinations.

Unless you have the time to study for a degree or certificate in cybersecurity, then it’s best to wait until you can dedicate yourself to studying and preparing to get the qualification. Depending on the degree or certificate you’re aiming to obtain, there will be a minimum pass rate that you’ll need to meet to get the qualification.

study for a cybersecurity certificate

Working in cybersecurity without a degree or certificate

While you may be thinking that the only way to get an excellent job in the cybersecurity industry is by having a relevant degree or certificate, this isn’t entirely the case. Some entry-level cybersecurity roles don’t require any certifications whatsoever, with the only precondition being that a candidate has graduated from high school. Companies will instead hire individuals with potential or experience in another tech field and train them up significantly since the cybersecurity industry is growing and more people are needed than ever to fill essential security roles.

With that being said, just because entry-level, zero-experience job roles exist in the cybersecurity sphere, it doesn’t mean that a certificate or degree isn’t helpful. If you want to progress from an entry-level position to a more advanced role, then you’ll definitely need to have some certificates to your name. Fortunately, many companies will pay for all or part of an employee’s training if they decide to study on a suitable course.

Author Madeleine Hodson

Hi, I'm Madeleine. I'm a British writer with a global background, currently based in the UK. I have always been interested in the online world and how it connects people worldwide. My keen interest in the internet led me to ...
Read more about the author