Online Information Systems Security Degrees: Curriculum & Program Info
Information systems (IS) security professionals, also called computer security specialists, rank number 10 on JIST Works 500 Best Jobs Overall for 2009. The federal government reports a projected 20% increase in job growth for information systems security specialists as companies, government agencies, and businesses take drastic measures to protect financial records, intelligence and personal data.
IS security specialists plan, coordinate, and implement security measures for information systems to regulate access to computer data files and prevent unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure of information. They also maintain fleet cryptologic permanent and carry-on direct support systems required to special land, sea surface, and subsurface operations.
IS systems specialists must be skilled in everything from management information systems and windows server networking to information systems risk management and enterprise security. Most employers prefer to hire individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher in IT with a concentration in IS security to ensure they have these skills.
Only 30% of professionals in this field have an associate degree or less, while 70% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Of this percentage, 18% of all information security professionals hold a master’s degree or doctoral degree.
Advanced degree holders are at the high end of the pay scale at $79,160-$97,080 annually, while bachelor’s degree holders are in the mid range ($65,260 annually). Information security professionals with an associate degree or less typically earn between $38,000-$48,000 per year. Top positions that offer greater responsibility and research and development opportunities are typically reserved for advanced degree holders.
If you are interested in a career in information security, consider enrolling in an accredited Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program with a concentration in information systems security. Other related programs include computer science, applied mathematics, information science and physical science.
Although graduating from an accredited college isn’t always a requirement, most businesses, organizations, or government departments prefer to hire graduates of accredited on-campus or online programs. On-campus schools offer many of the degree programs listed above and most are available online. In addition, there are hundreds of online technical schools and colleges that now offer IS degrees through innovative distance learning formats.
When searching for a suitable information security degree program, it is important to pay close attention to accreditation and curriculum. Accredited online schools will require transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
The information in the next section can be used as a valuable tool to compare accredited online and on-campus program curriculums to other schools' curriculums.
On-campus and Online Information Security Degrees Curriculum
Most online programs offer a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in information systems security. Others may offer a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in information systems. The curriculum for a BS in information technology consists of a combination of design, programming, and information systems courses. A number of general education courses such as algebra and rhetoric are required as well.
Course requirements may include:
- Application Implementation
- Business Systems
- Computer and Network Security
- Database Concepts
- Database Systems
- Enterprise Security
- Fundamentals of Business Systems Development
- Hardware and Architecture
- Information Systems Risk Management
- Introduction to Computer Theory
- Introduction to Information Systems Security
- Introduction to UNIX
- Java Programming
- Management Information Systems
- Operating Systems
- Project Planning and Implementation
- Server Side Scripting
- Software Systems Analysis and Design
- SQL for Business
- Web Design
- Windows Server Networking
Finding Online Information Security Degree Programs
To locate top accredited online information security degree programs, students may explore the offerings at on-campus universities, search through comprehensive online directories such as Top Online Colleges, or use well-known search engines such as Bing, Ask or Google. Each online degree program will offer information on accreditation. The accrediting agency must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tip: Although 25% of all information security specialists work in computer systems and design, aspiring information security specialists will find most opportunities in healthcare, securities and financial investments, telecommunications, transportation, and publishing industries.
