Each year, thousands of companies are hit with cyberattacks and data breaches—often leading to the exposure of sensitive customer information. Set aside hardship for consumers, this costs corporations on average $4.45 million per breach, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report.
As a result, the need for investment in cyber infrastructure and experts is becoming more paramount across the globe—and the market agrees.
The UC Berkeley School of Information’s online Master of Information and Cybersecurity prepares students to become leaders in cybersecurity. No GRE/GMAT required.
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Over the next five years, cybersecurity revenue is expected to grow by over 9% annually, and McKinsey predicts there is a $2 trillion market opportunity for cybersecurity technology and service providers.
However, there remains a talent shortage of cybersecurity workers. According to the World Economic Forum, 3.4 million cybersecurity experts are needed to meet current global economic demands.
With the industry being among the top strategically emphasized skills in the current workforce, becoming a leader in cybersecurity could pave a path for a long career—and with a hefty salary.
Computer and information security managers earn $159,010 annually on average, with a job outlook growing much faster than the U.S. average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For those looking to get ahead in cybersecurity, it can be difficult to discern what path can lead to advancement. That’s where an MBA with a cybersecurity concentration may be able to help.
Eric Douthirt, MBA programs director at the University of South Florida Muma College of Business says while the cybersecurity concentration is more technical than other MBA programs, it leads to graduates having a balance of leadership and highly demanded STEM-like skills. More often than not, students are mid-career professionals looking to get ahead.
“They do this to hone their skills and position themselves for a leap to advancement into leadership roles in their industry,” he tells Fortune.
This sentiment was also expressed by Benjamin Melamed, program director of the Rutgers Stackable Business Innovation program—where students can gain certificates or combine concentrations like cybersecurity into master’s degree programs, such as an MBA.
He says depending on students’ goals, the program can help them save time and money—while also providing flexibility.
USF and Rutgers are just two examples of schools where you can earn an MBA with a cybersecurity concentration—and where you may be able to gain skills for the next step in your career. Fortune has curated a selection of programs that may offer you the combined training you need in the worlds of business leadership and technology.
Appalachian State University
- Program: Walker College of Business—On-campus/online MBA, cybersecurity concentration
- Length: 12 cybersecurity credit hours + other MBA coursework
- Course examples: Web Analytics, Data Privacy and Security; FinTech/InsureTech; Global Blockchain for Business
- Fortune MBA ranking: No. 75 (full-time)
Baylor University
- Program: Hankamer School of Business—Executive/full-time/online MBA, cybersecurity concentration
- Length: 12 cybersecurity credit hours + other MBA coursework
- Course examples: Cyber Security Policy and Planning; Cyber Warfare, Threats, Vulnerabilities and Countermeasures; Cyber Security Human Factors
- Fortune MBA ranking: No. 71 (online)
- Additional information:
- Graduates have gone on to work at companies such as KPMG, Dell, and AT&T
Rutgers University
- Program: Rutgers Stackable Business Innovation Program (rSBI), cybersecurity concentration
- Length: 9 cybersecurity credit hours + other MBA coursework
- Course examples: Information Security; Fundamentals of Blockchains and Distributed Ledgers; Data Privacy
- Fortune MBA ranking: No. 38 (full-time)
- Additional information:
- Students can earn a standalone certificate or take courses that can be used toward completing a MBA.
University of South Florida
- Program: Muma College of Business—Online MBA, cybersecurity concentration
- Length: 12 cybersecurity credit hours + other MBA coursework
- Course examples: Decision Processes for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery; Data Networks, Systems, and Security; Database Administration
- Fortune MBA ranking: No. 12 (online)
- Additional information:
- Students are typically working professionals from cybersecurity companies like Reliaquest or KnowBe4—or from other places like Citi, Verizon or Publix.
- Disaster recovery, business continuity and risk management are three pillars of the cybersecurity concentration curriculum.
University of Texas—Tyler
- Program: Soules College of Business—Online MBA cybersecurity concentration
- Length: 9 cybersecurity credit hours + other MBA coursework
- Course examples: Cybersecurity; Cybersecurity Risk Analysis; Cybersecurity Management
- Fortune MBA ranking: No. 46 (online)
The online MS in Cybersecurity program from Hawai‘i Pacific University prepares students to defend their organization from data breaches, strengthen their résumé by taking key certification exams, and advance their career as responsible leaders in cybersecurity.
