This article discusses Texas cybersecurity colleges. It also includes information on cybersecurity training programmes and job openings. Finally, there is a lot of detail about having a computer security degree online in Texas.
Cybersecurity is a rapidly increasing sector across the world, but certain states are unquestionably better positioned for the modern digital frontier and are taking measures to ensure their position as leaders as the country’s economy evolves.
Texas is one of the strongest contenders for cybersecurity growth and continuation, thanks in part to its excellent digital infrastructure and economic advantages, which allow the state’s numerous public and private entities to pour money into this industry.
Cybersecurity in Texas
While Silicon Valley is currently the world’s cybersecurity and digital tech centre, Texas has long been at the forefront of technological growth and new technologies. As a result, it’s no surprise that Texas has a strong cybersecurity presence, both in terms of educational opportunities and economic foundations.
Texas has a $1.6 trillion GDP, which means it has plenty of cash to invest in higher education and cybersecurity. As a result of the surplus, many businesses have set up shop in Texas, providing enough job opportunities for recent college graduates. The Texas Cybersecurity Council, which was established explicitly to forge alliances between public sector entities and private industry in the field of cybersecurity, is responsible for some of this increasing progress.
In addition to economic and educational growth, Texas hosts a number of cybersecurity workshops and conferences where professionals can network and enhance their skills. The most significant organisation is CyberTexas, which sponsors and facilitates networking among younger cybersecurity enthusiasts. Given Texas’ attention on this economic sector, the Cybersecurity for Oil and Gas Summit is maybe unavoidable. Another successful event is the Texas Cyber Summit, which has many tournaments and chances to compete against other cybersecurity experts.
Cybersecurity education in Texas
There’s no denying that cybersecurity education in Texas is unrivalled.
Many aspiring cybersecurity professionals choose the University of Texas at San Antonio over all other universities in the Lone Star State. After all, this university was named the best in the country for studying cybersecurity in 2014. Although UT San Antonio’s cybersecurity programme is strong and successful, there are many other schools and opportunities that can provide new practitioners with a variety of training options.
Another essential cybersecurity university in Texas is UT Dallas, which began focusing on cybersecurity in 2012. The Center for Engaging Women in Cybersecurity was founded at UT Dallas in 2016, with the goal of closing or narrowing the gender gap in cybersecurity.
The Center for Identity at UT Austin is a partnership with Equifax that focuses on identity theft, fraud, and privacy. In 2014, Southern Methodist University founded the Darwin Deason Institute for Cybersecurity, which is partnered with Raytheon, a well-known technology protection firm with offices in Austin and McKinney.
Six universities in Texas have been awarded CyberCorps Scholarships, which include free tuition and a stipend to students who successfully complete the programme.
Above all, the Texas Cybersecurity, Education, and Economic Development Council (TCEEDC) exemplifies the state’s commitment to cybersecurity. This large group aids in the organisation of university curricula and ensures that Texas education stays at the forefront of cybersecurity growth for the near future. As a result, many of the cybersecurity degrees and certificates available in Texas are now available online.
ASSOCIATE DEGREES
Campus-based cybersecurity associate’s degrees in Texas
Associate degrees in cybersecurity are offered by around a half-dozen colleges. Some examples include Amarillo College, Central Texas College, and Dallas Community College. Several of these colleges, including South Texas College, offer digital forensics and information security specialisations.
In Texas, the majority of two-year schools do not deliver cybersecurity associate programmes online. Many classes that can count toward a cybersecurity degree, on the other hand, are available online, potentially allowing students to complete a hybrid version of the degree or take distance classes while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the long run.
The AAS in Information Security from Central Texas College is notable for including an internship and providing a wealth of technological expertise for young professionals new to the cybersecurity sector. This is a good degree to start with before moving on to a more relevant bachelor’s degree or for potential IT security managers.
Northeast Lake View College has a 2+2 agreement with Texas A&M San Antonio for a Cyber Security B.A.A.S. degree, in which students learn hands-on fundamental experience in our programme and then transfer to TAMUSA to complete a Bachelors or Masters degree.
CYBERSECURITY ASSOCIATE’S PROGRAMS IN TEXAS
Online cybersecurity associate’s degrees in Texas
In Texas, there are two colleges that offer online cybersecurity associate’s degree programmes.
San Antonio College offers a Cybersecurity Associate of Applied Science degree.
An Associate in Applied Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity is available at St. Philips College.
BACHELOR’S DEGREES
Campus cybersecurity bachelor’s degrees in Texas
Bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity are available from a number of excellent universities. Sam Houston State University, Houston Baptist University, Southern Methodist University, and Texas A&M University are among them, with the latter being nationally renowned.
CYBERSECURITY BACHELOR’S PROGRAMS IN TEXAS
Online cybersecurity bachelor’s degrees in Texas
Although the majority of undergraduate cybersecurity degree options are offered by campus-based programmes, many of them also have an online dimension.
The online bachelor of arts in security studies offered by the University of Texas at El Paso is a fully online undergraduate cybersecurity degree.
MASTER’S DEGREES
Master’s degrees in cybersecurity offered on campus in Texas
Texas A&M University, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Texas at Dallas all deliver on-campus master’s degrees in cybersecurity.
CYBERSECURITY MASTER’S PROGRAMS IN TEXAS
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University-College Station | College Station | Master of Engineering in Engineering – Cybersecurity specialization |
| University of North Texas | Denton | Masters in Cybersecurity |
| University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio | Master of Science Degree in Information Technology – Cyber Security Concentration |
| Southern Methodist University | Dallas | MS in Cybersecurity |
Online cybersecurity master’s degrees in Texas
Texas has a range of master’s degrees in cybersecurity that are available online. While their programmes are still pending and will hopefully be completed/ready for admission soon, Texas A&M and the University of Texas are two major contributors to this growth.
On the other hand, Sam Houston State University is a public university that offers a variety of online courses and programmes, including an MS in Information Assurance and Security. This degree does necessitate that all candidates have strong technical backgrounds, but it is an excellent preparation for a career as a security professional in the government or private sector. For those with a criminal justice bent, it also provides an MS in Digital Forensics.
Although neither is strictly in cybersecurity, SMU provides MS degrees in computer science and security engineering. While neither is strictly in cybersecurity, these specialties are rightly regarded as cybersecurity adjacent and can therefore lead to a job in the sector.
A master’s degree in information systems and security is also available at Our Lady of the Lake University. Since this is a one-year programme, it is ideal for professionals who have a lot of free time and want to finish their degree as quickly as possible.
Cybersecurity Online Masters Programs
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Our Lady of the Lake University | San Antonio | Master of Science in Information Systems and Security (MS-ISS) |
| Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Master of Science in Digital Forensics |
| Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Master of Science in Information Assurance and Security |
| Southern Methodist University | Dallas | Online Masters in Cybersecurity |
| University of Dallas | Dallas | Master of Business Administration – Cybersecurity Concentration |
| University of Dallas | Dallas | Masters of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity |
| University of Houston – Downtown | Houston | Master of Security Management (MSM) |
CERTIFICATIONS
In total, 15 schools deliver cybersecurity certificates. Many of them were experts in Network Security, Computer Networking, and other related fields. A few examples include Houston Community College, San Antonio College, and South Texas College.
CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS IN TEXAS
Online cybersecurity certificate programmes in Texas
In Texas, there are several options for online credential programmes. Central Texas College offers a variety of undergraduate degrees, with over 100 online-only degree programmes available in a variety of fields. As an example, a credential to become an Information Security Specialist is available.
As previously reported, Sam Houston University provides a variety of graduate certificates, including a Cybersecurity certificate and a Data Assurance Certificate. It also provides a certificate in Digital Investigation, which is aimed at criminal justice professionals who want to integrate their cybersecurity knowledge with the latter’s career emphasis.
Cybersecurity Online Certification Programs in Texas
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Angelo State University | San Angelo | Online Cybersecurity Certificate |
| Brookhaven College | Farmers Branch | Information Security Certificate |
| Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security |
| Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Graduate Certificate in Data Assurance |
| Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Graduate Certificate in Digital Investigation |
| University of Dallas | Irving | Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity |
Texas cybersecurity boot camps
Cybersecurity boot camps, in addition to the programmes mentioned above, are another viable choice for people interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity boot camps are frequently built for professionals with a technical background in computer science or information technology who need to rapidly retool and master cybersecurity-specific tools and technologies. Cybersecurity boot camps are built to teach in-demand skills to everyone, whether a new graduate or a seasoned professional.
Cybersecurity boot camps offer participants the skills they need to take common certifications like the CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker, in addition to helping them jumpstart a cybersecurity professional network that can contribute to potential job opportunities.
Regardless of the programme, the curriculum for these bootcamps is somewhat similar. The key lessons are broken down into thematic modules such as security basics, systems management, networks and network security, protective security, offensive security, test prep, and final projects.
Participants will also learn about the new tools and applications in the field, such as Wireshark, Kali Linux, Metasploit, Nessus, and more, at boot camps.
Here are some of the services that are available in Texas:
- Rice University in Pearland, Texas, offers a 24-week part-time cybersecurity bootcamp programme. Every week, classes are held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on two weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
- Cybersecurity boot camp in Austin, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin offers a part-time, 24-week cybersecurity boot camp on weekday evenings and Saturdays.
- SMU offers a part-time cybersecurity boot camp targeted for working professionals in Dallas, Texas. Cohorts meet for 24 weeks on weekday evenings and weekends.
A more comprehensive list of cybersecurity boot camps in Texas can be found here.
Cybersecurity Bootcamps in Texas
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| CCNA | Austin | CCNA Security Boot Camp: Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS) (CS-CCNA-Sec) |
| Divergence | Dallas | Divergence Cybersecurity training courses |
| InfoSec CISSP | Dallas | InfoSec CISSP Certification Training and Boot Camp in Dallas, Texas |
| New Horizons Computer Learning Center | Austin | New Horizons Computer Learning Center |
| Rack Space Cloud Academy | San Antonio | Rack Space Cloud Academy Cybersecurity Boot Camp |
| Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies | Pearland | Rice University Bootcamp |
| SMU Professional and Online (SMU PRO) | Dallas | Southern Methodist Cybersecurity Bootcamps |
| Texas A&M – Kingsville | Kingsville | Texas A&M Kingsville Cybersecurtybootcamp |
| University of Texas – San Antonio | San Antonio | UTSA Information Security Training |
| Texas McCombs and Texas Engineering Executive Education | Austin | Cybersecurity Bootcamps at UT Austin |
Cybersecurity jobs in Texas
Texas offers many training options for cybersecurity practitioners, but what happens after they graduate?
The opportunities are plentiful. In Texas alone, there are approximately 43,000 cybersecurity job vacancies, compared to an estimated cybersecurity workforce of approximately 83,000. To put it another way, Texas has a very low supply of cybersecurity jobs, with a supply/demand ratio of 1.9, compared to 2.0 nationally.
In essence, these raw figures show that Texas still has a lot of cybersecurity growth to do, which ensures that businesses would be willing to pay top dollar for expertise that can help them improve.
These positions range from entry-level to full-fledged management and architectural positions. Cybersecurity engineers, researchers, security consultants, IT auditors, software developers, vulnerability analysts, or network engineers and architects are some of the more common available positions for cybersecurity professionals in Texas. This is fantastic news for cybersecurity professionals who want to remain in the sector for the majority or all of their careers; with so many open positions, it’s entirely feasible to start at the bottom of a company’s ladder and work your way up to a management role solely on merit.
What are the pay rates for cybersecurity workers in Texas? It’s all good news at this point. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for computer and information technology workers is about $86,000. In Texas, for example, the median annual salary for cybersecurity professionals is around $104,000 a year, with an average wage of around $50 per hour.
These figures accurately represent Texas’ willingness to pay for qualified cybersecurity specialists, and they should provide enough opportunity to attract new talent in the coming years. Since certain parts of Texas have such a low cost of living, the above wages might go much further, raising the quality of living for cybersecurity professionals who can operate remotely and reside in affordable towns.
Cybersecurity in Texas at the city level
San Antonio-New Braunfels
San Antonio is, without a doubt, the best city in the country for young cybersecurity professionals to visit. Because of its economic growth and concentration on those fields, it has earned the titles of Military City USA and Cyber City USA; indeed, the military has several cybersecurity recruitment centres in San Antonio to find graduates fresh out of college. Furthermore, since the Air Force has a strong presence in San Antonio, work openings in both the private and public sectors are likely to be plentiful.
CyberSeek has more data to analyse:
- There are currently 6627 cybersecurity job openings.
- There are actually 10,737 cybersecurity staff working.
- Cybersecurity employees have a 1.6 supply/demand ratio and a 2.3 geographic concentration. This is significantly higher than the national average of 1.0.
Austin-Round Rock
Austin is another rapidly growing metropolis, both in terms of cybersecurity and jobs in general. It has more than doubled its cybersecurity workforce in the last ten years as a tech hub and one of the most modern cities in the state. Since Austin is the state’s capital, you can guarantee that this development will continue as long as Texas’ economy continues to improve.
Let’s examine what the CyberSeek data shows:
- 6506 cybersecurity job openings
- 10,694 currently employed cybersecurity workers
- 1.6 apply/demand ratio for cybersecurity workers
- 2.2 geographic concentration of cybersecurity jobs
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land
While its metropolitan area supports a greater number of suburban communities and smaller cities and towns, Houston is also increasingly expanding in the cybersecurity sphere. As a result, in one of these nearby territories, more affordable housing is available within a drivable distance of the Houston metropolitan area.
CyberSeek has some more data we can examine:
- 6720 total cybersecurity job openings\
- 16,517 currently employed cybersecurity workers
- 2.5 supply/demand ratio for cybersecurity workers
- 0.8 geographic concentration for cybersecurity jobs, lower than the national average
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
The metropolitan area of Dallas is similarly bustling, and its proximity to the Fort Worth airport provides numerous economic opportunities for many airlines, especially American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, which both have primary hangers in the area. In other words, for cybersecurity professionals looking to move into aviation or government contracts, this field should be a top priority; Lockheed Martin maintains a presence here as well.
Let’s look at the CyberSeek data for this region:
- There are 20,176 work vacancies.
- There are currently 31,384 cybersecurity employees working.
- The supply/demand ratio for cybersecurity staff is 1.6.
- 2.0 concentration of new work opportunities
While all of these major metropolitan areas would be a good fit for new cybersecurity practitioners, the three most likely to find work are San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas.
Texas and Cybersecurity
Throughout its history, Texas has been a state characterised by the frontier. While the physical frontier may have passed into history, the digital frontier is still being blazed. Young cybersecurity professionals who want to achieve their full potential and increase their employment opportunities should study in Texas and look for jobs there after graduation.
