Cybersecurity, the field that keeps information safe, is a continually growing field as more and more of our personal lives and business is done online. As the field grows, so do the career opportunities in cybersecurity. One common role you'll find is information security analyst. As an information security analyst, you are the security guard of information systems. It's your job to create and implement plans to protect sensitive information form infiltration and cyberattacks, enforce compliance of cybersecurity polices, and monitor access to your organization's data.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an 18 percent job growth for Information Security Analysts between 2014-2024, which is much faster than average, with a median pay of $92,600 annually.
But, despite the high demand in the field, you will certainly need education and experience. Typically, employers want eight to ten years of experience for higher-level positions. And while a bachelor's degree may get you an entry-level position in cybersecurity, beyond that you'll need a master's degree. An online MBA will not only build your technical skills, but also provide you will managerial skills needed to successfully lead a team.
Other jobs in cybersecurity you can consider with an online MBA include:
Chief Information Security Officer – As the CISO, you are at the senior level of your organization's security. It is up to you to oversee all development, implementation, and maintenance of security processes.
Forensics Expert – Forensic experts (also known as information security crime investigators) investigates cyberattacks, finding any clues attackers left and the flaws in the system that allowed for the attack to happen.
Lead Software Security Engineer – As a lead software security engineer, it will be your job to head up a team of security engineers who analyze risk and then develop software to keep data safe.
Penetration Tester – Penetrations testers test your organization's network to find vulnerabilities.
Security Architect – In your role as security architect, you will be responsible for analyzing threats and recommending solutions to hardware or software. You will also train staff on policies and install security measures like VPNs and firewalls at your organization.
Any organization with a strong online presence needs good cybersecurity. While this certainly included tech companies, those are not your only options. Large corporations like Amazon and Target, social networks like Twitter and Facebook, financial instructions, and universities, all have cybersecurity needs because they are handling user data in addition to their own, private data.
An online MBA in cybersecurity gives you insight on the technical side of business and information systems security. In addition to completing the standard MBA coursework to build up your business and managerial skills such as business ethics, finance, marketing, operations management, business communication, and organizational behavior, you will also learn about current security solutions, policy analysis, trends, responses to cyber threats, and risk assessments.
As online information systems become the standard for everyday practices, more and more organizations are storing their information digitally, which means there is an increasing demand for and evolution of career paths in the cybersecurity world. With an online MBA in cybersecurity, you will be a source of knowledge and skills valued by employers.
For more information on Cybersecurity Online MBAs, check out our Guide to Online MBAs in Cybersecurity.
Also, check out our Frequently Asked Questions about Cybersecurity:
What is the difference between Cybersecurity and IT?
Will employers care if my Cybersecurity MBA program was online?
