Degree in Cybersecurity Analytics- In the technology sectors essential to protect data and infrastructure in cyberspace, the United States is confronting a serious skills gap. Cyber analytics is one area that has shown to significantly increase our cyber defensive capabilities. This unique profession gives critical insights into cyber vulnerabilities and promises to enable the creation of vital new protection tactics by using artificial intelligence (AI) to extract actionable information from huge data.
This guide will assist students in determining the appropriate academic path to take in order to qualify for the growing number of cyber-related occupations in the United States and around the world. There has never been a better moment to pursue a degree in cyber protection. There is a significant demand for labour, and educational and scholarship opportunities abound.
Data Analytics vs. Cybersecurity
The field of cyber analytics might be described as the offspring of a marriage between data analytics and cybersecurity. To see where cyber analytics — also known as security analytics — fits in between these two bookends, we must first look at the standard definitions for these three fields of study.
The practise of evaluating datasets to draw conclusions about the information they contain is known as data analytics. Uncovering and examining data trends can yield valuable insights. Scientists classify data as descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, or prescriptive to aid in the creative use of data. It can assist businesses in better understanding client purchasing behaviours, determining the effectiveness of marketing initiatives, identifying new markets, and developing new goods.
Cybersecurity, or the activity of defending digital assets against hostile attacks, is the other parent of cyber analytics or security analytics. To diagnose, predict, and prevent illegal access to networks, systems, and devices, this field employs a variety of approaches, methods, methods, and technologies.
Cyber analytics, often known as security analytics, is the application of data analytics to achieve a cybersecurity goal. It’s a sophisticated tool that can define cybersecurity threats, identify vulnerabilities, anticipate future harmful conduct, and prescribe defensive measures based on a thorough understanding of data.
Over the previous few decades, cyber analytics has evolved into the foundation for critical cybersecurity solutions and practises. It has given us a better understanding of bad actors, their methods, and their actions.
The simplest approach to grasp the difference between cyber analytics and cybersecurity (also known as cybersecurity analytics and cybersecurity engineering) is to ask yourself the following question: “Do you want to be the person in the room who can explain how it works?” Do you want to be the one in the room who can explain how it works?” The question of “how it works” is answered by cyber analytics. Cybersecurity is more concerned with the “why” of how things work.
Cybersecurity Analytics and Security Analytics Training
A cyber analytics degree might go by a number of different names. Because data analytics and cybersecurity are relatively young subjects, academia has yet to come up with a common nomenclature for associated degree programmes. A cyber analytics degree could be described as one of the following, depending on the institution:
- Cyber analytics
- Cybersecurity analytics
- Security analytics
- Information security analytics
- Data analytics for cybersecurity
- Big data security analytics
Students can acquire a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cyber analytics, security analytics, or information security analytics, much like other academic degrees. A Ph.D. in cybersecurity with a concentration on data analytics is available to doctoral candidates.
Students with a cyber analytics degree will be well-versed in large data modelling, data analytics, and statistical learning methodologies. Data can be utilised to detect dependencies, flaws, and hazards, as well as corrective actions. Graduates will be able to use big data science in conjunction with threat intelligence to detect, evaluate, and prevent targeted assaults from outside hackers as well as internal risks from rogue or irresponsible employees.
Cyber analytics differs from typical cybersecurity approaches in that it uses big data analytics rather than computer science or programming. Both disciplines, to be sure, look at the same exploits, vulnerabilities, threats, and attack methodologies. Nonetheless, these issues are evaluated through the perspective of big data security analytics by a cyber data scientist.
Choosing the Right Cybersecurity Analytics Degree Programme
The first step in selecting the best cyber analytics degree is to choose how much time you want to devote to learning. Students who earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cyber Analytics, Security Analytics, or Information Security Analytics will be prepared for entry-level roles guarding data and safeguarding digital systems against cybercriminals and nation-state adversaries.
A Master of Science (MS) in Cyber Analytics builds on the basis of a bachelor’s degree by training students for professions in risk management, malware analysis, penetration testing, or security management.
A cybersecurity Ph.D. will prepare professionals to be leaders in the fight against hackers and data theft. Students are trained to think outside the box as an innovation leader and to be equipped for diverse technology leadership roles in government and private sector businesses to manage and mitigate risks.
It’s time to look into the individual programmes provided by various schools and universities after settling on an adequate degree of education. As mentioned above, different academic institutions may use similar but not identical names to characterise their cyber analytics programme. A excellent place to start looking for the perfect degree programme is with colleges that offer a cybersecurity degree.
For example, a prospective student can find out if Southern New Hampshire offers a BS in Cybersecurity – Data Analytics degree by using the comprehensive guide to a bachelor’s in cybersecurity degree resource and selecting Southern New Hampshire from the highlighted cybersecurity degree programme list. This method can be used to identify the best programme for other institutions and degree levels.
Admission Requirements
Colleges will often need applicants to have completed high school before granting admission to a BS in Cyber Analytics degree programme. Acceptance into a selected academic institution may have more severe standards, such as a certain GPA or completion of advanced placement (AP) or honours classes throughout high school, although each college will have its own set of prerequisites.
Before enrolling for a cyber analytics programme, each applicant should conduct a comprehensive and honest self-examination to see if their interests and talents match the program’s curriculum and work requirements.
Applicants should have a passion for technology and a natural ability to deal with statistics. A technical aptitude commensurate with someone comfortable working with networks, databases, and complex software is required for the cybersecurity part of a cyber analytics degree. The analytics component will necessitate a thorough understanding of statistical analysis and big data research principles.
A bachelor’s degree in a comparable discipline or the completion of a bachelor’s degree before enrolment is required to apply to a graduate degree programme in cyber analytics or security analytics. For many programmes, an applicant’s undergraduate studies must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or better.
Many graduate schools require students to take entrance exams like the GRE to assess their verbal reasoning, numeric reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking abilities. Others may ask applicants to take the GMAT to evaluate their analytical, writing, mathematical, verbal, and reading abilities.
Curriculum in cybersecurity analytics, security analytics, and information security analytics
Each college or university that provides this unusual mix of cybersecurity and data analytics will place a distinct focus on the two fundamental qualities, just as a cyber analytics degree may be given many various titles. Some will emphasise the field’s cybersecurity components, while others will concentrate on data analytics.
As examples of what a student should look for in their search, a BS in Computer Science – Data Analytics might include courses such as:
- Introduction to Structured Database Environments
- Emerging Technologies and Big Data
- Data Validation: Quality and Cleaning
The required undergraduate curriculum will cover the areas of:
- Programming and Computers
- Information Assurance
- Analytics
- Mathematics and Sciences
- English, Humanities, and Social Science
An MS is Cyber Analytics program could be expected to offer classes with names like:
- Network Assessment and Defense
- Investigation and Digital Forensics
- Cyberlaw and Ethics
- Incident Detection & Response
Applicants should expect graduate-level courses to fall into both cybersecurity and data analytics areas.
Tuition for a Degree in Cybersecurity Analytics
A bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics for Cybersecurity, like most undergraduate degrees, will require 120 credit hours of education, including core courses and electives.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, undergraduate tuition, fees, and room and board costs were predicted to be $17,797 at public colleges, $46,014 at private nonprofit universities, and $26,261 at private for-profit universities for the 2017–18 academic year.
For the 2018-19 academic year, the average tuition and fees for 4-year universities, excluding room and board, were $16,318.
There are five variables to consider while analysing tuition expenses, according to this site’s entire guide to a bachelor’s in cybersecurity degree page.
- Cost per credit: This is probably the simplest metric to use when comparing cybersecurity degree programmes to one another. Lab fees and other expenditures are sometimes included in overall tuition costs. However, compare credit costs for each programme to obtain a true understanding of the expense versus benefit of a cybersecurity degree.
- Location: The cost of a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree might vary depending on geographic location. One factor to consider is whether the institution has established partnerships with cybersecurity employers in the area. Internships and career planning will be a little easier as a result of this.
- Size: Overall, school and programme size seem to correlate to cost. Because they are part of a bigger university, larger programmes have a greater diversity of course offerings. However, bigger isn’t always better, so it’s always a good idea to do some study on how individual programmes might help fulfil specific student requirements and goals.
- Online vs. campus-based: When comparing online and campus-based degrees, it’s crucial to consider the cost per credit. It’s also crucial to examine the number of necessary course hours for each degree to determine which is a better fit.
- Full-time vs. part-time: While the choice of full-time vs. part-time attendance in a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programme may not have a significant impact on the cost-per-credit, it may make the degree more affordable, or at least financially attainable, because students can work while in school. Although not all programmes offer a part-time option, there are enough that it’s worth considering.
Scholarships
There is a critical scarcity of qualified personnel in the technological disciplines relevant to securing our nation’s cyber infrastructure, with millions of job openings. A shortage of trained professionals across the business can be good news for particular groups of people. It may result in increased earnings for individuals competent to work in the sector, as well as scholarship opportunities for those pursuing these careers.
Listed below are a few of the numerous relevant scholarships available from a variety of sponsors.
- Department of the Navy, Chief Information Officer – Information Assurance Scholarship Program
- Department of Defense – SMART Scholarship Program
- Center for Cyber Safety and Education – (ISC)² Women’s Scholarships
- Central Intelligence Agency – Undergraduate Scholarship Program
- National Science Foundation – Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- National Security Agency – Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
- Cisco – Snort Scholarship
- CyberCorps – Scholarship For Service
Cybersecurity Analytics Career Outlook
The cyber analytics field has a bright future ahead of it. An information security analyst is one of the many jobs that a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Analytics degree will be qualified for. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual pay for this position in 2019 is $99,730. According to this government resource, job growth for information security analysts is expected to increase by 31%. This rate of growth is considered to be much higher than the national average.
There has never been a higher need for graduates with a degree in cybersecurity or cyber analytics. Because of the high demand for qualified individuals, earnings have risen, encouraging the creation of several scholarship possibilities. Cyber analytics, security analytics, and information security analytics are ideal academic pursuits for those aiming for a meaningful profession protecting vital information and digital assets.
