Guide to careers in cybersecurity and information systems

• A Master of Information Systems degree is broader than a Master of Information Technology and focuses on the people and processes as well as the technology itself.
• Career outcomes with a Master of Information Systems degree include IT managers, information systems managers and application development directors.
• Cybersecurity is an in-demand field, with information security analyst roles projected to grow by 35% between 2021 and 2031.
• Career outcomes with a Master of Science in Cybersecurity include network security analyst and information analyst.

Pursue your career in information systems

At UOPX, the MIS program covers several leadership concepts in technology and business. “We want students to understand these two fields are related and you can’t really have one without the other,” Uhles says.

Because of this, the program teaches students concepts in project management, enterprise resource planning, innovation and strategic planning. IT isn’t a department in a silo anymore; it’s fully ingrained in businesses.

Is a master’s degree in cybersecurity worth it?

Another part of the information systems umbrella is cybersecurity.

More and more companies are realizing that they need cybersecurity experts to protect them from hackers and other threats. With billions of people accessing the internet every day, an increasing number of services are moving either partially or entirely online. Accordingly, information security analyst roles are expected to grow by 35% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

According to BLS, individuals working in cybersecurity jobs “plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.”

In other words, cybersecurity specialists typically work in IT departments and help keep a company’s computers safe from internal and external threats such as ransomware and hacking.

Asked if you need a degree, this expert featured on BLS says: “No, and I know a bunch of people working in the field today who don’t have a degree. But should you get one? Yes, because it gives you the discipline to develop skills for lifelong learning.”

A master’s in cybersecurity offers numerous benefits (aside from giving you an edge in a highly competitive field). The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program teaches, among many topics:

• How to better spot security vulnerabilities hackers might exploit
• How to develop an incident response
• How to determine which preexisting security policies need to be updated
• How to implement new security policies

What’s better: IT certifications vs. master’s degree in cybersecurity

If you’re torn between getting a cybersecurity degree or a cyber certification, you’re probably wondering what the key differences are.

According to CompTIA, a nonprofit, IT trade association, certifications are issued by independent organizations that evaluate a professional’s existing skills and abilities. Certifications, unlike certificates and degrees, do not require any additional classes or training, but they are issued upon the completion of one or more exams. They also often require continuing education to remain active.

Cyber certificates, meanwhile, are earned through educational programs. These can happen at an undergraduate or graduate level, and they can take anywhere from several weeks to several years to complete, according to CompTIA.

While employers rarely demand certain certifications, earning them can help set you apart from other cybersecurity professionals. They can also sometimes be applied toward certain degrees.

Finally, a degree program is more time-intensive but provides a solid foundation on which to build a career in the cyber field. As noted by CompTIA, 82% of cybersecurity job postings require a bachelor’s degree while just 4% required a graduate degree.

As BLS puts it: “Most information security analyst positions require a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. Employers usually prefer to hire analysts with experience in a related occupation.”

Whichever path you choose, one cybersecurity consultant featured on BLS adds that you’ll “need to understand business — the concepts of program management and teams — and not just technology. And as you progress in your career, you’ll need to build on your communication skills and your presentation skills.”

After the master’s: Salary and career prospects

Pursuing a career in cybersecurity has its rewards. In May 2021, information security analysts earned an annual salary between $61,520 and $165,920, according to BLS. (Salary information is not specific to UOPX graduates and may depend on experience, location and related factors.)

Equally compelling is the career outlook for cybersecurity specialists. “Demand for information security is expected to be very high, as these analysts will be needed to create innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or causing problems for computer networks,” BLS writes.

Earning a Master of Science in Cybersecurity at University of Phoenix

If you are thinking about going back to school to get a cybersecurity degree, University of Phoenix offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity that can be earned completely online.

The online program requires 39 credits, which can be completed in approximately two years. Each class is taken consecutively so that students can focus on and master one 6-week course at a time.

In addition to six core courses, the master’s program at University of Phoenix empowers students to select seven electives that align with CompTIA and EC-Council certifications in Leadership Auditing or Tactical Cyber.

This program can prepare you for roles such as:

• Network security analyst
• Information systems security analyst
• Systems analyst
• Security analyst
• Information security officer

Whichever path you take, your career as a cybersecurity professional is just a click or two away.

Not sure how the online experience works? We break it down for you here.

Find the right IT degree for you today!