Cybersecurity Degrees in Maryland

The opportunities available at cybersecurity schools in Maryland are described in this guide. It also includes details on alternative cybersecurity training and certification options.

Maryland is close to the government intelligence community, as well as hundreds of large international firms, due to its proximity to Washington, DC. Many federal agencies, notably those dealing with intelligence, are based within state borders. Maryland’s position, despite its tiny size in terms of square miles, has made it a major economic centre.

As a result, cybersecurity firms in Maryland have simple access to a wide range of business in desperate need of information security services. It’s no surprise that Maryland’s cybersecurity community has grown so rapidly in such a short period of time, with intelligence communities and huge corporate interests swarming the area.

The state government has also taken information security seriously, and not just to secure information owned by the government. The Maryland Cybersecurity Council was established with state funding in 2015. The Council brings together government agencies, corporations, and private cybersecurity specialists to figure out which sectors of local infrastructure are most vulnerable to cyberattacks.

The state launched a tax incentive programme in 2018 to encourage local firms to prioritise their own data security concerns. The tax credit reimburses qualified Maryland businesses for half of the costs of cybersecurity services and equipment purchased from qualifying Maryland cybersecurity firms. The state contributed $4 million to the programme in 2019.

Government, professional and business services, and education and health services were the three major employers in Maryland’s economy in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Leisure and hospitality came in fourth place. The state’s big and thriving healthcare community is particularly remarkable. Due to the important nature of the information and systems offered, government and healthcare are two of the most concentrated users of cybersecurity services. In addition, the state boasts a large number of high-tech businesses involved in information technology, telecommunications, aerospace, and defence.

The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity in Maryland

Cyber attacks on highly private data vaults, not to mention essential systems, threaten a large section of Maryland’s economy. The state is home to a number of federal government entities, including the intelligence community. Cyber attackers are increasingly targeting Maryland’s sizable and well-respected healthcare community.

The state of Maryland has launched steps to ensure that state employers have the resources they need to tackle the dangers. Despite this, there will continue to be a gap in information and system security due to a scarcity of competent cybersecurity specialists.

Educators in the state are likewise concerned about the problem. The University of Maryland has made steps to establish itself as a leader in cybersecurity education by establishing the Maryland Global Initiative for Cybersecurity (MaGIC). The goal of MaGIC is to raise awareness of the university’s efforts to enhance its cybersecurity education programmes. It also brings together government and private sector players to collaborate on educational efforts and research and development efforts relating to cybersecurity risks and technologies.

The Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAMI) is a non-profit organisation devoted only to the advancement of Maryland’s cybersecurity business. It does it by linking cybersecurity companies with businesses and government agencies who are looking for cybersecurity products and services.

It also connects job searchers in Maryland and beyond with cybersecurity employment in Maryland, as well as the necessary education and certifications. At www.MDCyber.com, CAMI hosts the Cybersecurity Company Directory, a statewide web directory with hundreds of cybersecurity firms. Businesses and organisations that support and resource Maryland’s cybersecurity industry are also listed in this directory.

Cybersecurity Education in Maryland

The fact that Maryland colleges and universities offer cybersecurity degrees demonstrates the relevance of cybersecurity to the state’s economy. Students can choose from a variety of on-campus and online degree programmes and certification possibilities. And students who live in the state will find a vast and fast rising job market with an insufficient number of competent applicants for unfilled positions.

ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE

There are still some cybersecurity professions that don’t require a degree, but they’re becoming increasingly rare, and experience is replacing knowledge. However, a four-year degree isn’t the only way to break into the field.

For people who don’t have the time or means to finish a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degrees in cybersecurity can help them get a foot in the door for certain entry-level professions. When time and resources permit, the curriculum leading to an AAS degree can also be applied toward a bachelor’s degree.

Campus-based associate’s degrees in Maryland

Students who want to get an associate’s degree in cybersecurity and are able to attend an on-campus programme have a lot of possibilities. Several of the colleges and universities that provide associate’s degrees even provide multiple options for pursuing a single career path. The following is a complete list of on-campus associate’s degree options in Maryland:

Cybersecurity Associate’s Programs in Maryland