Undergraduate Certificate Program in Cyber Security
Build fundamental skills to combat cyber-crime and protect sensitive data across networks.
Take your ambition to the next level with a cybersecurity scholars program that helps you build your network, boost your skills and prepare to pursue the career you want.1
The coursework in our cyber security programs can help you develop many of the skills necessary to protect networks and data systems against cyberattacks.
For example, courses in our Bachelor’s Degree Program in Cybersecurity and Networking cover areas such as web security, data privacy and security, cybersecurity architecture, penetration testing, business continuity, cloud security and advanced network security helping you develop an understanding of the issues and concepts associated with information security, including:
Protection of network and data systems.
Design of flexible and extensive security plans and the risk factor analyses that are associated with them.
Protection of web-based and cloud-based applications from external threats.
Protecting information on mobile devices.
Identifying network and wireless vulnerabilities, conducting risk assessments, responding to intrusions and providing business continuity through recovery efforts.
Certifications are credentials earned from professional organizations such as CompTIA, IRBIZ, EC Council, ISC and others that substantiate your skills, often by taking an exam and, in some cases, requiring additional training. By earning and maintaining industry-recognized certifications in penetration testing, digital forensics, cloud-based technologies and other areas of cyber defense, you can show employers that your computer skills in these areas have been verified. In some cases, employers require applicants to have specific certifications, thereby providing assurance of their skills. Coursework in our cyber security programs can help you prepare to pursue these important credentials. For more detailed information, explore our cyber security certifications page.
No matter what format you choose, our Bachelor’s Program in Cybersecurity and Networking, Bachelor’s Program in Information Technology and Networking and Bachelor’s Program in Computer Information Systems, each with Specializations in Cyber Security, dive deeply into a variety of disciplines, including information technology, server maintenance, ethical hacking and more.
Computer Network Support Specialist
Computer User Support Specialist
Cyber Security Specialist
Cyber Security Technician
Computer Network Support Specialist
Information Technology Specialist
Computer Systems Analyst
Cyber Security Engineer
Computer Security Analyst
Cyber Security Manager
Cloud Security Engineer
Penetration and Vulnerability Testers
Keep in mind that titles and hiring requirements are not standardized across industries, so this information is provided as a general guideline. Employers will specify their required skills and qualifications in each of their job postings.
Cyber security is the practice of protecting data systems and computer networks from digital attacks and minimizing the impact when they do occur. Also known as information technology (IT) security, the practice employs strategies, techniques and tools that are designed to combat or recover from threats to sensitive information contained in networked systems, typically from outside of an organization.
Cyberattacks in the form of data breaches affecting consumers’ personally identifiable information (PII) can be particularly devastating to brands, health systems, banks and other public and private-sector organizations. Cyberattacks can result in loss of revenue and consumer trust, possible legal action and imposition of regulatory fines and are a threat to homeland security. This is why cyber security has become an important concern in the boardroom as well as the IT department.
Some of the online cyber security programs available here at DeVry include our Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity and Networking, our Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology and Networking with a Cyber Security Specialization which is focused on the practice of cyber security primarily related to network and cloud security, our Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems with a Cyber Security Programming Specialization which concentrates on more specialized programming knowledge and its applications in the cyber security field and our Associate Degree in Cybersecurity and Networking which teaches you how to keep networked devices, infrastructures and environments secure and running smoothly. In addition to our undergraduate cyber security degrees, our Undergraduate Certificate in Cyber Security helps you build a foundation to learn about safeguarding strategies, OS concepts and more.
If you’re interested in a graduate-level program that touches on cyber security concepts, you might also consider our Graduate Certificate in Information Security.
Cyber security may sound like it’s hard to learn, but as with any area of study, the degree of difficulty depends on the student. You may find certain cyber security courses to be more challenging than others, but if you dedicate yourself to learning, manage your time effectively and maintain your focus, you can effectively pursue your goal of earning a cyber security degree.
Many cyber security careers involve building safe networks that prevent cyberattacks from external forces, uncovering and patching vulnerabilities that malicious hackers could exploit, and detecting malware and unauthorized access to sensitive data and operating systems, while facilitating the free flow of information between networked devices. There are many types of cyber security professionals, each with its own competency. For instance, an ethical hacker specializes in breaking into systems to identify security vulnerabilities, while a cyber security analyst would likely spend more time evaluating the system itself to recommend improvements.
Based on projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), career opportunities in cyber security should remain strong for the next several years. The BLS projects employment of information security analysts to grow 32% between 2022 and 2032, a rate that is much faster than the national average for all occupations, with about 16,800 job openings each year, on average, over this period.3 This growth is projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. This projection is not specific to DeVry University graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers, and not just entry level.
The BLS attributes this growth to the rise of e-commerce, a shift to remote work and the growing frequency of cyberattacks, which are increasing the business sector’s focus on innovative solutions to protect networks and data systems from hackers. They further recognize strong growth in digital health services and telehealth, which may increase data security risks for healthcare systems.
The answer depends on which program you choose to enroll in. For example, our online Undergraduate Certificate in Cyber Security can be completed in as little as 1 year and 2 months on an accelerated schedule, 1 year and 6 months on a normal schedule.4 Our Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity and Networking can be completed in as little as 2 years and 8 months on an accelerated schedule, 4 years on a normal one.5
4Minimum schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in 7 to 13 credit hours per semester and continuous, year-round enrollment with no breaks. Normal schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 2 semesters and enrollment in 7 to 13 credit hours per semester.
5Minimum schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in 13 to 19 credit hours per semester and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks. Normal schedule is 12-month period, assumes completion of 2 semesters and full-time enrollment in 13 to 19 credit hours per semester.
The cyber security field requires aspiring cyber defenders to develop a medley of technical and workplace skills. Technical skills like framework and operating systems knowledge, coding and scripting, penetration assessment and cloud security are crucial. Workplace skills like problem-solving, communication, adaptability and being detail-oriented are indispensable. This skill set helps cyber security pros stay ahead of new vulnerabilities to cybercrime, assess situations and propose solutions, collaborate with their peers and explain highly technical subjects to non-technical stakeholders.
As organizations continue to rely heavily on the safety and security of their data systems and the job growth outlook continues to be strong in this area of computer science, as indicated by the BLS projections, cyber security careers can be found anywhere sensitive data is stored or managed. You may find career paths in the banking and finance, insurance or healthcare industries, or in the tech sector. Opportunities may also exist in law enforcement and government agencies.
Yes. Cyber security degree and certificate programs at DeVry are designed to be completed 100% online. If you prefer to add an on-campus experience to your educational journey, a hybrid option may allow you to take some classes in-person at a DeVry campus location.2
1Data is inclusive of all partner tuition savings, institutional scholarships and grants for the period for July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
2Program, course and extended classroom availability vary by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.
3Growth projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. BLS projections are not specific to DeVry University students or graduates and may include earners at all stages of their career and not just entry level. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
4Minimum schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in 7 to 13 credit hours per semester and continuous, year-round enrollment with no breaks. Normal schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 2 semesters and enrollment in 7 to 13 credit hours per semester.
5Minimum schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in 13 to 19 credit hours per semester and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks. Normal schedule is 12-month period, assumes completion of 2 semesters and full-time enrollment in 13 to 18 credit hours per semester.
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In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Lisle Campus: 4225 Naperville Rd, Suite 400, Lisle, IL 60532. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online complaint system https://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.
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