Top Online Cybersecurity Graduate Certificates

Information technology is becoming more important as more companies and individuals conduct more of their business and affairs online.

Cybersecurity and information security is also becoming even more critical; cyberattacks are growing in frequency and complexity. Cyber security professionals are needed more each day to prevent hackers from taking down computer networks, and to stop them from stealing vital information.

The growing significance of cybersecurity may be seen in the fact that job demand for information security professionals will grow by 18% by 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hiring of these skilled professionals will occur in both the private and public sectors. The federal government in particular is anticipated to increase its hiring of information security analysts to protect the country’s vital IT systems.

Another major growth area for cybersecurity professionals will be in the healthcare sector. As electronic healthcare records become more common, it is very important to ensure the security of patient’s health information.

If you want to improve your education and qualifications in cybersecurity to earn one of these new jobs, you can now earn many in-demand graduate certificates online. Below is more information about the most popular graduate certificates in this field, as well as information about online universities that offer them.

Norwich University

Norwich University offers several online information security and assurance certificate options. These graduate certificate options will provide IT managers and professionals with the vital tools they need to pinpoint critical cybersecurity threats. Also, you will learn how to create appropriate and aggressive defense strategies, and will be able to plan and conduct cyber security assessments.

Norwich University offers two general areas where you can earn certificate in the cybersecurity field:

Computer Forensics and Vulnerability Management

These certificate programs are designed for professionals who have a strong background in programming, networking and operating systems. These specialized certificates will give students with the skills they need to manage, investigate, monitor and protect against serious cyber attacks. Students may take one of two certificates in this area, and will be required to finish a case study.

The specific certificates available in this section are Computer Forensic Investigation and Incident Response Team Management, and Vulnerability Management.

Cybercrime and Cyber Law

These certificates provide graduate students with the competencies to understand possible cyber attacks and to devise strategies to both address and protect against them. Students will attain an understanding for laws and policies that affect information assurance both in the US and abroad.

The certificate options in this section are Critical Infrastructure Protection and Cybercrime, and Cyber Law and International Perspectives on Cyberspace.

Regis University

Regis University offers a Cybercrime Certificate that will prepare you to take your place on the front lines to prevent private and sensitive data from getting into the wrong hands. Major features of this program include the following:

  • Study network and computer forensics, information assurance for companies and enterprises, and how to protect systems, data and applications
  • Earn this online certificate in less than a year online
  • Transfer certificate credits if you choose into the Regis University Information Assurance Master’s program

Required courses in this program include:

  • Managing a Secure Enterprise
  • Securing & Protecting: Sys, Apps, Data
  • Risk Management
  • Computer Forensics
  • Network Forensics

This program is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or cyber security, and want to attain a management level position. This certificate will provide you with high-level skills that can be applied right away in the information assurance field.

This program’s curriculum has been modeled to follow the guidelines and recommendations of these organizations:

  • The Committee on National Security Systems 4000 Training Standards
  • (ISC)2 Eight Domains of Knowledge
  • JSACA
  • NIST workforce development standard

Villanova University

Villanova University offers a Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate that covers important security areas that relate to the world’s interdependent IT infrastructures and networks. These include telecommunications networks, computer systems, embedded processors and controllers, as well as the Internet.

The certificate program requires you to take a total of five courses and at least three cyber security courses. Required and optional courses in this graduate certificate program include:

  • Cryptography & Netwk. Security
  • Threats and Defense
  • Trusted Computing
  • Secure Systems Engineering
  • Control Systems Security
  • Secure Software Development
  • CyberPhysical System Security
  • Security Risk Assess. & Man.
  • Legal Aspects of Comp Security
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Malware Analysis and Defense
  • Computer Forensics

The university also offers a graduate certificate in cybersecurity with a focus on cyber-physical and control systems security. This graduate certificate requires the following classes:

  • Cryptography & Netwk. Security
  • Threats and Defense
  • Control Systems Security
  • CyberPhysical System Security

Syracuse University

Syracuse University offers an online Certificate of Advanced Cybersecurity that is a 12-credit program that is offered by the university’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

The university began to offer this certificate because it understands that the US electrical power grid, economic and financial services and other vital infrastructure are closely related and intertwined with cyber activities that completely depend upon secure command and control computer systems. It is not enough for these systems to be secured, they have to also be completely assured.

This certificate program is available to those who have a bachelor’s degree in a related field. It also may be of interest to those who already have an IT or computer science master’s, but want to obtain additional certification.

Required courses include:

  • Computer Security
  • Internet Security
  • Foundations for Assurance
  • Building Assured Components

Summary

Earning a graduate certificate in cybersecurity today will provide you with the high level technical knowledge and skills to be a highly paid cybersecurity professional. The median salary in this field, according to BLS, is $92,500. Many students with years of experience and a master’s can earn more than $147,000 per year. Earning your certificate in this growing field is a great first step to a very prosperous career path.

Additional Resources

References

  • Information Security Analysts. (2015, Dec. 17). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm