Are There Any Good Cyber Security Courses Available Online? 

Living in the digital era, advanced cyber security programs from Stanford are more popular than ever. Hackers have endless opportunities to exploit businesses, government organizations, and even individuals. Certifications are essential for cyber security professionals. Earning a certificate will show that you have the skills required for the job and help you stand out from the rest of the pack. Enrolling in an online cybersecurity certificate program will make you more attractive to potential employers and strengthen your bargaining power for increased pay.

Examples of Cyber Security Threats:

• Malware:

Short for malicious software, malware is an umbrella term for viruses, trojans, worms, and other harmful programs that hackers use to obtain access to valuable information and data. 

• Phishing:

Phishing is defined as trying to steal personal information through deceptive emails and websites. The sufferer is tricked into believing that the email they received is important, like a request from their bank, and they are requested to click a link or download an attachment. 

• Credential Stuffing:

Credential stuffing is the method of gathering usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. As a result of all the data breaches over the past few years, hackers have collected billions of login credentials.

Why Choose Cyber Security:

1. Flexible Cyber Security Programs:

With so many cyber security courses available online, you can easily earn a degree while balancing school with a full-time job. These distance-learning courses have proved to be a game-changer for many cyber security professionals. These online courses provide several lucrative advantages to the students. They give you access to the best cyber security programs, universities, and professors from any part of the world. You don’t have to pay as much for study materials because expensive textbooks are replaced with digital content. They also allow you to interact with other cyber security enthusiasts from around the world. 

2. A Degree in Cyber Security Equals Job Security:

Due to the increasing cyber threats and attacks, now is the perfect time to pursue cyber security as a career. The demand for cyber security professionals with verified skills and capabilities is outpacing the supply. Earning a certificate will demonstrate your deep knowledge of cyber security or your specialization, depending on your certification. According to Forbes, there could be around 1.8 million unfilled cyber security jobs by 2024.

3. A highly-paid career:

Cyber security professionals must have a wide set of skills. This makes this field one of the most highly-paid in the technology sector. According to Payscale, the annual average salary of a Cyber Security Engineer is $96, 947 and that of a Cyber Security Analyst is $76,603. According to Indeed, an IT Security Specialist earns $66,536 annually.

As you go further in your career, your earning potential also gets considerably higher. For example, the average salary of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and CISO equivalents goes up to $273033, says Forbes

4. Various Job Opportunities:

According to a study conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for cyber security analysts is growing at a rate of 31%. Some of the top cyber security jobs are:

• Cyber Security Analyst:

Also known as an IT Security Analyst, the responsibility of a cyber security analyst is to plan and implement cyber security measures to protect a company’s systems and data from attacks. You will have to review and report suspicious activities and research new IT trends.

• Network Administrator:

Listed as one of the top 10 in-demand jobs in 2024, a network administrator must maintain computer networks and resolve issues. You will have to install, configure, and monitor systems to identify how performance can be improved.

• Cyber security Architect:

As a cyber security architect, you will have to plan, design, create, implement, and maintain the security systems present within your organization.

• Cyber Security Specialist:

Also known as an IT security specialist, you will monitor, detect, investigate, evaluate, and respond to security events. A cyber security specialist has to protect systems from risks and vulnerabilities.

• Cyber Security Consultant:

A cyber security consultant protects sensitive information. Also known as physical security consultants, personnel security consultants, and security consultants, they work independently.

FAQs on Cyber Security and Courses:

Q1: What qualifications do you need for cyber security?

Ans: If you are interested in pursuing cyber security, the degrees that will help you along your career path are IT, Computer Science, Networks and Security, Forensic Computing, Mathematics and Physics, and other STEM subjects.

Q2: How can you get a job in cyber security?

Ans: The first step to getting a job in cyber security is earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science or cyber security. The next step is to achieve a certificate. 25% of jobs in the cyber security field require at least a basic certification. There are various certifications, the most important being Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Q3: How do you get certified in cyber security?

Ans: To earn a cyber security certificate, you need to pass an exam and then earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). This will show that you possess skills and knowledge to match the demands of today’s jobs, and it will help you keep your certification active.