Information Security Degrees: The Glamorous Possibilities

If your goal is to someday have an above-average salary and excellent job security, information security is right up your alley. A degree in information security will open up your world to many diverse career possibilities, so if you’re considering this exciting field, read on.

High Demand and High Salary

  Large corporations, such as Facebook, Sony and Skype, depend on information security professionals to protect the sanctity of their employees, investors and customers. Do you remember the infamous Sony hackers incident in 2011? Millions of people had their personal information jeopardized because hackers outsmarted Sony’s security. Information security professionals who excel at their jobs are always in high demand for this reason; no company wants to find itself in the middle of a controversy because it was unable to protect consumer information. After this happened, corporations began taking security much more seriously and are more willing than ever to pay qualified individuals very well to guarantee security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for information security analysts, web developers and computer network architects is $76,000 a year. Those titles are just a few of the career possibilities.

Additionally, hackers are always getting smarter, so your job will constantly evolve—don't expect a hum-drum routine. Also, information security is a great choice for adventurous types, as this skill set is in demand all over the world.

Perpetual Possibilities 

There is a wealth of career possibilities, should you acquire a degree in information security, and you may be surprised to discover how exciting they truly are.

Computer Crime Investigator: Government and law enforcement agencies need information security specialists to assist investigations into crimes involving computers. Computer crime investigators get to use advanced technology in order to uncover deleted or hidden data.

Malware Analyst: Government and the private sector are always in need of malware analysts to examine malicious software like bots and worms in order to analyze the nature of their threats. Reverse engineering is used, and many companies will hire these professionals to develop ways of blocking malicious code as well as to protect their environment and respond to incidents.

Information Security Forensics Expert: This path involves analyzing the aftermath of a system’s security breach in order to figure out how it occurred, in addition to which systems were compromised. This role is fitting for an expert in reverse engineering as well as forensics. Not to mention, you must always be up to date with the latest methods of system exploitation.

Forensic Analyst: These professionals analyze computer systems to identify who is responsible for the misuse of a system or to find out what type of hardware/software was used to commit a crime. Major banking, financial and health organizations are always in need of forensic analysts to preserve and interpret computer evidence.

Incident Responder: When a security incident is discovered, companies call upon an incident responder to immediately monitor computer systems for breaches and report them so the appropriate countermeasures are taken accordingly and in a timely manner.

Information Security Analyst: Because demand is so high, this option could lead to employment with almost any company. The majority of businesses require an information security analyst because they assess the effectiveness of information security policies and point out vulnerable aspects of their systems. Analysts work in multiple departments of the company in order to make suggestions for improvement.

Chief Information Security Officer: If you can handle a lot of responsibility and enjoy being in charge, this career is an excellent choice. Large organizations need officers to oversee the entire network of people who safeguard a company’s security. They determine what the company’s digital protection objectives are and oversee investigation of security breaches.

Getting Your Information Security Degree From an Online Program

If you think you don’t have the time to pursue one of these exciting careers, you may want to think again. Online degree programs have made it possible for you to obtain your degree in a flexible format that suits your schedule while learning from some of the most experienced people in the field. You can broaden your understanding of the industry and reach your educational goals while still juggling other obligations. Earning your information security degree online may just be the right choice for your professional life.

Image provided by Brian O’Donovan from Flickr’s Creative Commons