Cybersecurity Degrees in South Carolina- This resource is all about South Carolina’s cybersecurity educational and job options. The state’s manufacturing industry is strong, resulting in a lot of cybersecurity-related economic activity.
The aerospace industry, which generates slightly under $25 billion in yearly economic output, is one of South Carolina’s most important economic drivers. Between 2011 and 2018, aerospace companies added 5,200 new jobs to the state, contributing to the industry’s overall job increase of 13% last year.
That expansion is due to increased demand: from 2017 to 2018, South Carolina saw a 25 percent rise in export aircraft sales. In the last ten years, 355 aerospace-related businesses have opened in South Carolina.
Boeing is the one corporation that stands out from the rest. Boeing chose South Carolina as the location for its final assembly and delivery facility in 2009. Despite the company’s long-standing repute, the last several years have not been without incident.
The Lion Air flight that went down in October of 2018 raised concerns about the reliability of Boeing’s new 737 Max. Then, in March of this year, another 737 plane went down in Ethiopia. The issue is that the sensors are defective, and the software is badly designed.
Despite the fact that these crashes were unrelated to cybersecurity, the rise of software-laden planes has prompted an industry-wide push for enhanced security.
Because of the remote prospect of a flight being brought down by hacking, as well as the tragic theft of intellectual property in the airline industry, aerospace cybersecurity has never been more critical. South Carolina, thankfully, knows this, and while it hasn’t taken specific action against aeroplane manufacturers, it is actively promoting cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity Overview
South Carolina made history in 2018 when it became the first state to approve a cybersecurity bill requiring all insurance businesses to have a strong cybersecurity programme in place to defend against data breaches. Regular upgrades are required under the mandatory security programme, especially as computer hardware and software systems are upgraded.
A security compromise must also be reported to regulators within 72 hours, according to the law.
The University of South Carolina is also encouraging people to be more conscious of cybersecurity. They held the first annual National Cybersecurity Legal Institute in 2019, a conference aimed at informing attendees about the costs of a data breach.
Lost productivity, revealed trade secrets, lawsuits, and, of course, a massive reputational hit are all expenses associated with data breaches. A second conference has already been planned for 2020 as a result of the conference’s success.
South Carolina understands the importance of keeping data and systems secure. As a result, the state’s educational sector offers a diverse range of cybersecurity programmes for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the field.
Cybersecurity Degrees in South Carolina
ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE
An associate’s degree in cybersecurity is an excellent method to get started in the field. Spartanburg Community College offers a 70-credit-hour associate’s degree programme. Students are exposed to a variety of operating systems, networking architectures, and computer applications. Cisco networking hardware such as switches and routers are used to perform lab projects. Students learn to think logically, solve problems, and communicate effectively.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
In order to get a successful career in the cybersecurity business, you nearly always need a bachelor’s degree. It will give the student a solid understanding of cybersecurity best practises, as well as the capacity to recognise and counter common attacks.
Those pursuing a bachelor’s degree will be exposed to a variety of related areas in addition to learning the foundations of cybersecurity. Computer science, network infrastructure, and diagnostics, as well as programming in one or more languages, may be among them.
Campus-Based Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree in South Carolina
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity will take around 35 to 40 classes for a total of 120 credit hours, just like students pursuing practically any other undergraduate degree. Certain classes outside of the degree track, such as a second language, may be required depending on the programme.
In South Carolina, there are now two campus-based bachelor’s degrees.
- Clemson University offers a cybersecurity minor
- The University of South Carolina Upstate offers a bachelor of arts in computer information systems – network/information security track
Either of these degrees will equip the student for an entry-level employment in cybersecurity or for master’s degree study. A bachelor’s degree can also be obtained online.
Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree in South Carolina
An online bachelor’s degree offers the same advantages as a traditional bachelor’s degree, but with greater flexibility, making it suitable for people who plan to work while studying.
In South Carolina, there is now only one online option accessible.
Limestone College offers a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a concentration on computer and information systems security.
Other institutions may offer an online education in the future, depending on the popularity of Limestone’s online degree.
MASTER’S DEGREE
A master’s degree can provide you an advantage over your competitors. With a master’s degree, a cybersecurity job candidate can expect to earn a higher pay and have access to more work options.
An employer expects a master’s degree holder to be able to handle more complicated cybersecurity threats as well as manage and lead a team, depending on the firm. Furthermore, without a master’s degree, advancement within a corporation may be impossible.
There are various master’s degree options available on campus in South Carolina.
Campus-Based Cybersecurity Master’s Degrees in South Carolina
In South Carolina, interested students can pursue one of two master’s degrees: a master of science with a cybersecurity focus or a master of science in computer engineering.
Please consult the table below for a complete list of all possible programmes.
Cybersecurity Master’s Programs in South Carolina
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston | Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences – Cybersecurity Specialization |
| Clemson University | Clemson | Master of Science in Computer Engineering – Cybersecurity |
| College of Charleston | Charleston | Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences – Cybersecurity Specialization |
Online Cybersecurity Master’s Degree Programs
South Carolina offers only one online master’s degree, which is focused on intelligence and cybersecurity.
Citadel Military College of South Carolina offers a master of arts in intelligence and security studies – cybersecurity concentration
CERTIFICATION
Depending on the employment, specialist training in a particular field may be required. As a result, certifications are a terrific method to beef up a résumé while also learning new abilities that may come in handy on the job.
South Carolina provides more than a half-dozen credentials, all of which are offered on-campus.
Campus-Based Cybersecurity Certification Programmes
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston | Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity |
| College of Charleston | Charleston | Cybersecurity Certificate |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway | Certificate in Cybersecurity |
| Piedmont Technical College | Greenwood | Certificate in Cybersecurity |
| Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg | Networking/Cybersecurity Certificate |
| Trident Technical College | Charleston | Certificate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity |
| Trident Technical College | Charleston | Network Security Certificate |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia | Information Assurance and Security Certificate |
Cybersecurity Jobs in South Carolina
According to Cyberseek, South Carolina now has just under 5,000 cybersecurity job openings. The overall supply of cybersecurity technicians in the United States is limited, indicating a high need for competent candidates. Cybersecurity engineers and cybersecurity analysts are two of the most frequent jobs.
Applicants that are qualified and want to work in South Carolina should apply to PhishLabs. For the fourth year in a row, the Charleston-based company was named “one of the best places to work in South Carolina.”
Cybersecurity in South Carolina
The sky isn’t the limit in South Carolina; it’s the backbone of the state’s economy. The aerospace sector employs a large number of people, and it, like practically every other industry, is pursuing software automation. However, that automation comes at a cost. The more code a system has, the more vulnerable it is to attack. This is when the cybersecurity team enters the picture.
“The United States places a high priority on its aviation sector and spends primarily in research and development of advanced cybersecurity systems,” according to a recent global aviation survey.
That research and development is being carried out by real people, and there has never been a greater demand for qualified cybersecurity technicians. A bright profession is all but guaranteed with a degree from one of South Carolina’s institutions and a solid recommendation.
