Page 39 - Cyber Warnings

A master’s degree in cyber security engineering will give students the specific skills and tools
that are required by employers. Students will be able to explore cyber security mitigation
strategies and tactics in depth and gain a level of expertise that is desperately needed to
combat the rampant cyber security attacks affecting businesses, governments and individual
citizens.

As opposed to a more generalized degree, a master’s in cyber security will offer extremely
specialized and focused training. This can be especially helpful for students interested in cyber
security engineering or a top-level leadership position.

Finally, because the demand for cyber security professionals is so strong, there are many
scholarship programs available to those looking to further their education in the discipline. For
example, the Information Assurance Scholarship Program and the Yellow Ribbon Program are
two such scholarships.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

An MBA with a technical specialization is another option that those interested in cyber security
advancement often consider. The MBA is a well-known, highly respected degree that offers
students a variety of options upon graduation.

However, because the MBA is such a popular degree choice, it is less likely that an MBA will
help you stand out amongst the competition when you are vying for that top role.

If you are looking to differentiate yourself from the competition and know that you want to work
in cyber security, an MBA might not give you a huge boost over fellow applicants.

Plus, in order for an MBA to get you a high-level position in cyber security, you will likely need to
supplement a relevant bachelor’s degree and years of experience in the field with certain cyber
security certifications.

However, many employers today are looking for cyber security professionals who possess
certain skills such as accounting or management, in addition to their cyber security knowledge.
An MBA would be the perfect degree through which to gain these skills. According to a 2015
report from Burning Glass Technologies,

“The hardest-to-fill cybersecurity jobs call for financial skills, such as accounting or
knowledge of regulations associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, alongside traditional
networking and IT security skills. Because finance and IT skills are rarely trained for
together, there is a skills gap for workers who meet the requirements of the ‘hybrid
jobs.’”

39 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine October 2016 Edition
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