The threat of a cyberattack is the number one worry for many business leaders. A single breach could destroy the reputation of an entire company via the compromise of customer data, shutdown of sales, or demanding ransom.
It’s no surprise, then, that cybersecurity experts are in high demand. However industry wide, there is still a shortage of qualified candidates. Cyber certification organization ISC2 estimates that the world needs 4 million professionals to adequately safeguard the digital world.
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Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that information security analysts are one of the fastest growing occupations, with an estimated growth rate of 32% over the next decade. Those working in cyber also can make among the highest salaries in the tech space, with Dice noting in its annual Tech Salary Trends report that cybersecurity engineers/architects earn around $140,565.
But similar to the industry it serves, the cybersecurity education ecosystem is constantly evolving. New degree programs, curricula, and even certifications are created each year. And AI is only going to cause changes to happen more often.
For context, there are more than 440 institutions that are designated by the U.S. National Security Agency as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. These include community colleges, universities, technical schools, training centers, and more. In order to qualify, these institutions have to meet standards in areas like curriculum and academic excellence, competency development, and community outreach.
And believe it or not, there are even more institutions providing cyber training in the U.S. that the NSA list. To help you have at least a little bit of a better grasp on the offerings and prestige of programs in the space, Fortune is releasing our ranking of the best online master’s in cybersecurity for 2024.
Our expert panel
In preparation for the release of our new ranking, Fortune sat down with two leaders in cybersecurity who know the ins and outs of the industry to discuss the cybersecurity-education ecosystem:
- Clar Rosso: CEO of ISC2
- Scott Roberts: Head of Threat Research at Interpres Security and adjunct lecturer of advanced cybersecurity at Utah State University
By asking questions centered around the importance of cybersecurity, the necessary skills to excel in 2024, and advice for prospective students, we hoped to gain a better sense of how to effectively provide guidance to those hoping to pursue a career in the field. Neither expert was involved in the ranking of any programs directly.
A lot of problems needing new blood
Because the cybersecurity curriculum may differ from class to class and from school to school, it can sometimes be difficult for employers to know what skills students actually have.
So, when it comes down to it, Roberts says two things are important for individuals to be able to prove through their cybersecurity education:
- Fundamental cybersecurity knowledge (e.g. the difference between confidentiality and integrity)
- Understanding trade-offs (meaning you can balance business needs with security)
“In a lot of ways, cybersecurity education is back to a little bit of a pure look at what I think education can be where it is: how much do you put into it? How much do you learn? How much do you get out of it? Rather than just say, hey, I gotta be in a class, that should be good enough,” Roberts tells Fortune.
When looking at programs—whether a degree or certificate—students should reason whether they’re trying to learn something or just simply prove they’ve learned something.
Ultimately, his advice for students just getting started in the realm of cybersecurity? Read The Cuckoo’s Egg. Because it covers the “entire gamut” of cybersecurity, Roberts says students can guide whatever part of the book they enjoyed the most to what path they should take their career.
Above all, Roberts adds, success in cybersecurity is about putting in time and effort. Don’t just take a class, he suggests, do outside projects or start a club; go above and beyond. This will especially come in handy in the competitive job market.
“The cybersecurity world is still full of a lot of problems that need new looks, new blood, and sometimes just need effort,” Roberts says.
There are always skills to be learned
Rosso’s advice for those wanting to become (and remain) cybersecurity experts can be summarized in just two words: lifelong learning.
With topics like AI, machine learning, and cloud computing becoming increasingly significant in cyberspace—there has never been a more important time for constant upskilling.
“People who are successful and likely to stay in jobs, which is something employers care about, are people who really enjoy mission driven work,” Rosso says. “They want to work on behalf of the greater good and protecting information systems is seen as such.”
In terms of soft skills, Rosso says employers are looking for candidates who are great with:
- Problem-solving
- Critical and analytical thinking
- Communication
- Project management
- Collaboration
- Creativity
For those just dabbling in the cybersecurity space, she encourages people to check out the free cybersecurity certifications and programs out there that can help you determine if the subject is a true interest. Then, she says, explore degree programs—and especially don’t ignore community colleges.
“Community colleges are so focused on getting people into jobs, and developing skills that get people into jobs,” Rosso notes.
Methodology for Fortune’s ranking of online master’s in cybersecurity
In formulating our ranking of the best online master’s in cybersecurity, Fortune attempted to contact dozens of universities. When successful, we provided a questionnaire for each program to fill out. It requested data about admission requirements, new entrants, student outcomes (number of students accepting a job and their salaries), and more. Many schools were able to fulfill many of these requests, others not so much.
Some factors causing this include lack of university data collection, lack of student/graduate participation (when it comes to outcomes), or universities not wanting to provide data points.
This year, we ranked 20 programs using these data weights:
- 5% –Size of 2022–2023 graduating class
- 5% –Number of applicants, 2023–24
- 15% –Acceptance rate, 2023–24
- 15% –Average undergraduate GPA, 2023–24 enrollees
- 30% –Graduation rate
- 30% – One-year retention rate
Each one was selected based on a combination of factors our team felt would best judge programs based on the amount of consistent data universities were able to provide.
Above all, Fortune’s ranking is created on an opt-in basis. Those who want to participate do, and hopefully at a minimum, it helps you discern the online master’s in cybersecurity a little bit better.
Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.
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