Master of Science In Cybersecurity Engineering: Everything You Need to Know
Smartphones, computers, home appliances, eco-friendly cars, and much more store information about the owner. Since smart devices are filling houses, situations began to arise when hackers wanted to steal, damage, or replace owners’ data. Countering cybercriminals requires cybersecurity professionals who can protect the information, anticipate criminals, and create a secure repository of data.
A cybersecurity specialist is a developer of systems and methods for protecting information materials. Nowadays, many companies use information security specialists’ services to avoid vital information leakage to prevent hacker attacks. Most of all, companies value those professionals who have a master’s degree in the cybersecurity field. If you are thinking about applying for a master’s program but in doubt, study our article. We’ll tell you all about a master’s degree in cybersecurity engineering.
Is a Masters In Cyber Security Worth It?
Matthew John David Hancock, politician and Cabinet minister in Cameron’s second government, delivered a special speech in May 2016 entitled “Defending Britain Against Cyberattacks.” He believes that the country and the economy must be able to defend themselves against cybercrime. He also claims that annually monetary losses from attacks by cybercriminals reach $ 1 trillion!
Extremely fast computerization, the involvement of individuals, companies, and governments in the global network, dependence on computer networks – all this makes the profession of cybersecurity engineering the primary work in the 21st century. According to Matthew John, the country needs the best professionals, and they all need to get a master’s degree.
If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can go to the MSc Cyber Security program or through the Pre-Masters course. The Master’s program consists of six main modules, two optional modules, and a personal project, which the student performs in the summer in contact with his supervisor. The total duration of the Master’s program is 12 months.
Mandatory modules:
- Information security management.
- Network security.
- Security auditing and certification.
- Readings in Computer Science.
- Research methods and professional issues.
- Cryptography.
Modules to choose from:
- Digital forensics.
- Cybercrime.
- Data visualization.
- Sociotechnical systems.
- Advanced algorithms and data structures.
What Documents Are Needed For Admission To The Master’s Program?
The standard package of documents for admission to the magistracy includes:
- application of the applicant;
- diploma bachelor’s degree;
- academic transcript and GPA;
- TOEFL iBT score not less than 80 or IELTS not less than 6.5;
- motivation letter;
- 2-3 recommendations.
Depending on the university, the standard list may be supplemented by a portfolio or additional exams.
What Tasks Will the Specialist Solve?
Professional cybersecurity needs to deal with the following tasks:
- combating cyber attacks on companies, including extortion for valuable information;
- development of methods and tools for combating malware;
- protection of valuable company information;
- ensuring the stable operation of banking systems and other structures necessary for the country;
- protection from intrusions of cybercriminals into privacy, including social networks;
- search for weak points in the company’s systems and their elimination.
What Knowledge And Skills Will A Specialist Have?
After completing the Master’s program, the specialist will acquire the following skills:
- high level of knowledge and skills in the field of programming;
- perseverance, attentiveness, accuracy when working with programs;
- the ability to find weaknesses in the system and sources of virus infection;
- the ability to analyze the physical properties of smart devices;
- the ability to calculate the risks and consequences of introducing new methods into the system;
- the ability to quickly find threats;
- the ability to analyze a large amount of data;
- understanding of the principles of hackers and knowledge of methods to help protect against them.
Who Can Cybersecurity Engineering Graduates Become?
When a student wants to get a master’s degree, the question arises: “What jobs can I get with a master’s in cybersecurity?” There is a clear shortage of qualified personnel in the labor market, and the companies will feel it for many years to come. The advantage of this field of activity is that graduates of Master’s programs in cybersecurity can work in different positions:
- information security analyst;
- system security analyst;
- security administrator;
- view, edit, improve APK files;
- security software developer;
- VPN apps developer;
- cryptographer;
- information security specialist;
- cybersecurity specialist;
- network security engineer;
- risk management analyst;
- cloud security analyst;
- vulnerability management analyst;
- ethical hacker;
- cyberattack tester.
As a good option, you can go to work in a private company. For example, VeePN VPN service is currently looking for young cybersecurity professionals. Since VeePN provides the opportunity to use their product on any device, such as VPN app for PC, iPhone, Android, MacOS, Linux, etc., cybersecurity specialists will be able to find a job they like. This will be a great start to your career.
If the options that are presented to you are not to your liking, then you can create your own business. Investors are interested in new ideas and visions for startups. The main thing for you will be to draw up a competent plan. Attracting investors is not easy, but if the deal is successful, it is definitely worth it.
How Much Does a Cybersecurity Professional With a Master Degree Earn?
Cybersecurity is a growing industry. Employment of graduates is over 90%. The practice is beneficial for students in finding a decent job. Master’s students take an internship at will. The experience of recent years has shown that 100% of the students who completed their internships then got the job they hoped for. According to statistics monitored by universities that promote cybersecurity immediately after graduation, their graduates’ salaries range from 42,000 to 98,000 dollars per year. Note that these are starting salaries. Once an employee ends their probationary period, their salary can range from $116,000 to $210,000 per year.
Pros & Cons Of The Profession
The profession of cybersecurity engineering has both advantages and disadvantages. Before you want to move up the career ladder in this area, check out the pros and cons.
Pros:
- demand in the labor market, since the field of information security is rapidly developing, which means that the demand for specialists in this area will constantly grow;
- high wages;
- the ability to master the most advanced information security technologies;
- the opportunity to attend conferences and seminars;
- communication with a variety of specialists, the ability to make useful contacts.
Cons:
- high responsibility, since you must securely protect all company information;
- frequent business trips are possible.
List of Top Universities in Fields Cybersecurity Engineering
We present to your attention a list of the best universities in the US and UK where you can study cybersecurity and earn a Master’s degree:
- The University of Exeter is one of the leading British universities, which belongs to the world scale universities.
- The University of Manchester is a prestigious British university that has produced 25 Nobel Prize winners.
- The University of Newcastle is a prestigious British university with world-class research and development work.
- The University of East Anglia is a prestigious British university. The academic excellence of the university is confirmed by the gold rating of the Teaching Excellence Framework examination.
- Oregon State University is an American university. Scientists at Oregon State University have been implicated in discoveries such as an artificial heart valve, a computer mouse, and modern dental chairs.
