As you can see, cyber security degrees cover a very wide range of topics. While comp sci degrees aren’t specific to the field of cyber security, they can really set you up with a strong foundation to build upon. Across all industries, it’s a … One of the most important aspects of computer security is keeping stand-alone machines updated and properly patched. If you want to work in any of these jobs, a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field is the number one recommendation, according to the BLS. Or, in other words: the cybersecurity team works to implement and maintain a robust information security system, with the intention of defending an organization from cyber attacks; in the event that their efforts fail, and a breach is made, the computer forensics team works to identify the hack, understand the source, and recover compromised data. While they may be different branches of technology, cybersecurity and computer science still have the same roots. Computer science degrees are very technical and can be very valuable for cyber security jobs. With computer science, you’ll receive all … Grad programs in both fields may take on both tech and policy views. Let’s face it, computer science is a notoriously difficult degree. Those interested in cybersecurity usually earn a bachelor’s in computer science. Computer science professionals in these roles might analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software, apply theoretical expertise to create new technology, or design computers and the software that runs them. Employment conditions in your area may vary. Computer science feels more like an everyone for themselves type of mentality. Computer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their implementation and application in computer systems. This degree program is at the cutting edge of cyber security and it very technical and difficult. Reach out to me at colin@cybercareerschool.com, About the Author | Contact: colin@cybercareerschool.com | YouTube Channel, Privacy Policy     Cyber Career School Disclosure     Terms of Use. While this approach to paving their own way into the field is certainly commendable, the need for it is beginning to steadily fade as more cyber security degree programs are created to meet the demands of the market. Cyber security degree vs computer science degree for a penetration testing career. “I would strongly recommend exploring higher education institutions that offer a two or four year degree in degree in cyber security,” says Sharon Rosenman, vice president of marketing for Cyberbit. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – B.S. Computer Security vs. Cyber Security. It is also possible to enter the cybersecurity field by acquiring the needed skills with a bachelor’s in homeland security. We analyzed over 800,000 job postings asking for candidates with a degree in computer science, and over 70,000 cyber security job postings to identify some of the most sought-after skills for each. ... That means programs cover not just one but several types of subjects, such as computer science, engineering and business management. Computer science has been an area of study for a long time and creates professionals who go into a wide range of careers. Brianna is a content writer for Collegis Education who writes student focused articles on behalf of Rasmussen College. To make this possible, many of our featured programs are from our partners. You are exchanging your and your money and want to ensure that you are making the best decision for your career development. They go by many names, but professionals who work in cyber security typically develop plans to safeguard computer files against modification, destruction, or disclosure; monitor current reports of computer viruses; encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls; and perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures. $104,210. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Please select another program of interest. Computer science degree vs cyber security degree? The first thing to note when discussing computer science and cyber security is that this isn’t quite an apples to apples comparison. Over the past three years, I have worked to provide quality content to enable aspiring cyber security professionals to start their careers. Examples of recognized certifications include CISA, CRISC, CISSP, CISA, GSLC, GSNA. Rasmussen College is not enrolling students in your state at this time. First, the math- and science-heavy core course load is dwarfed drastically. the quick and short answer would be “it depends “.what you like the most .CS is very program building field and cyber security is more networking based field. By selecting "Submit", I authorize Rasmussen College to contact me by email, phone or text message at the number provided. Computer Science vs. Cyber Security Master’s Degree Curriculum Comparison. Fill out the form to receive information about: There are some errors in the form. Cybersecurity is a subset of computer science, and in today’s computer-reliant world, it has its own field of study and degree programs. 11.09.2020, Ashley Brooks | Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, Cyber Engineering, or equivalent . Rasmussen College may not prepare students for all positions featured within this content. This data does not represent starting salaries. If you love it, go for it - there will surely be enough jobs. In addition to taking harder courses, if you choose to go the comp sci route you will have to learn security on your own time. If you are looking to get into cyber security by the more formal “degree route”, you will be confronted with the decision between choosing whether you should get a computer science degree or a cyber security degree. Careers in technology are so diverse and wide-spanning that the industry has something for nearly anyone. So, information security predates digital computers, but computer security and cybersecurity were born from computer science innovations that started just after World War II. If you're still unsure, start with a computer science foundation then in years 3/4 you can specialize. A computer science degree has a broader focus than a degree in cybersecurity, which provides a much more comprehensive examination of that field. If you’re ready to take a closer look at Computer Science, check out our article, “Is Computer Science Right For Me? Going the comp sci degree route can really set you up well for a technical role in cyber security as long as you are willing to put in the work and learn cyber security on your own time. Cyber security degree vs computer science degree for a penetration testing career. which one is future of this world? All Rights Reserved. Please visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees for a list of programs offered. These professionals often made the transition into cyber security through a combination of work experience, personal research and supplemental cyber security certifications to round out their qualifications. External links provided on rasmussen.edu are for reference only. Penn State’s Cyber Security Analytics and Operations Major, 7 Best Cyber Security Certifications For Beginners, 6 Best Programming Languages to Learn for Cyber Security, Everything You Need To Know About The CySA+ – Tips, Alternatives, and Study Materials, Is the CEH Worth It? 10.19.2020, Hannah Meinke | There is no perfect approach to going to college for cyber security. Cyber security job opportunities typically increase with education level. Many colleges have recognized the difference between computer science and cyber security and offer separate programs. 8 Reasons to Remember,” to learn more about the benefits of this career path. Cyber Security vs Computer Science Degree – Which is Right for You? They are also an integral part of our daily lives. It used to be that universities offered security-focused courses within their computer science programs. Many other degree programs like engineering and comp sci have “weed-out courses” that are geared towards thinning out the heard because those job markets are more competitive. A computer science degree is not needed for cyber security because there are many dedicated cyber security degree programs that are more appropriate and applicable to the security field. Information Security Industry certification desired from recognized authority such as ISC2, GIAC, and/or ISACA. She loves to write, teach and talk about the power of effective communication. 1Burning-Glass.com (analysis of 808,124 job postings requesting a bachelor’s degree in computer science and 72,078 cyber security analyst and engineer job postings, Oct. 01, 2018 - Sep. 30, 2019) 04.13.2020. “Generalize then specialize” is a very valid concept and a great approach to cyber security. Computer science degrees obviously provide a solid foundation for careers that rely heavily on computer science, programming and software development. If you are new to the cyber security field, you have probably heard many people and job postings mention certifications. They both have to do with security and protecting computer systems from information breaches and threats, but they’re also very different. Learning the fundamentals of computing before learning any security is my preferred approach and I wish that cyber security degree programs would adopt this mentality. If you are willing to put in the extra work, a computer science degree will make you a very important member of a cyber security team. Cyber security degree programs also allow you to network with other security students and form clubs and organizations around specific interests. An education in cybersecurity can also provide excellent job opportunities. Both computer science and cyber security degrees will get you a job in cyber security. My experience in the industry as a consultant provides me with a wealth of information on Cyber Security and how it is applied across all sectors and their individual demands. In other words, cyber security is an essential part of the broader field that is computer science. 06.29.2020, Kirsten Slyter | Question: Is It Good Enough to Get "Just" a Computer Science Degree to Get Into Cyber Security? This is because they both have roughly the same CS foundation and the few extra security-oriented classes won't make a huge difference after 1-2 years of industry experience. If you are fortunate enough to have access to a mature accredited cyber security program then you should consider it. This piece of ad content was created by Rasmussen College to support its educational programs. If Cyber Security sounds more appealing to you, check out our article, “Why Study Cyber Security? To help answer that, we used job posting analysis software to identify the top job titles associated with each. This does not influence our evaluations. Below is a summary on each degree option. Computer science is a broadly applicable field of study that’s relatively more established, whereas cyber security is more narrowly focused, with an academic discipline that dives deep into a subset of specialized skills. “Incident response is one of the fastest growing and hardest to fill positions in cybersecurity,” Rosenman says. I have included this information not to promote Penn State University, but to illustrate a more technical program that will really prepare you for a career in cyber security. But if you do know how to code you will boost your productivity and make you an extremely valuable member of your cyber security team. If you are looking to get into cyber security by the more formal “degree route”, you will be confronted with the decision between choosing whether you should get a computer science degree or a cyber security degree. Our experts in cyber security recommended a few important areas that are likely to be in high demand for the industry as well. If you find yourself wanting to compare and contrast computer science versus cyber security—read on! Second, due to rapidly evolving threats and the skills needed to identify them, the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Secur… 55. These connections go a long way and will really help you build hands-on experience that you can demonstrate to employers. Comp sci is more technical but is less specific to the field of cyber security while cyber security degrees are more specific but may lack important computer science theory and fundamentals. On the other hand, some schools provide a “cyber security degree” that is nothing more than an information technology degree with a class or two that focuses on security. Which path is right for you? Computer Science vs. Cyber Security. Computer science is a broadly applicable field of study that’s relatively more established, whereas cyber security is more narrowly focused, with an academic discipline that dives deep into a subset of specialized skills. This is not something we have to deal with in cyber security degree programs. In comparing Machine Learning, Cyber Security, and Data Science, we find that Data Science leads to the highest average earnings of the three. Callie Malvik | Researching a specific career within computer science can give you a better idea of the important skills you’ll need. Key Differences: Masters in Computer Science vs Cybersecurity Master’s in Computer Science. So what types of computer science careers or cybersecurity careers are out there? Some cyber security degree programs can get very technical and difficult. Archived. And in a world where cyberattacks and hackers are rampant, cyber security experts … Are you wondering why you should get a computer science degree that specializes in cyber security? The generalize then specialize approach is very applicable with the comp sci degree route into cyber security. Originally Answered: Cyber Security vs Computer Science degree: What should we choose for the best? Computer Science is the study of computers and concerns virtually any endeavor in the computer field, whereas Cyber Security is an emerging discipline that’s entirely dedicated to ensuring confidentiality, integrity, availability, and authentication of digital information. Ive seen job postings mentioning Cyber-Security that involve setting up firewalls, VPNs, Password policies and other things. Which field is better? 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