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Ready for a Career in Cyber Security Management?

By DeVry University

The information presented here is true and accurate as of the date of publication. DeVry’s programmatic offerings and their accreditations are subject to change. Please refer to the current academic catalog for details.

 

March 8, 2024

8 min read

 

If you’re considering a career in information technology (IT) and want to prepare to pursue management-level roles, cyber security management might be worth exploring. This field plays a critical role in safeguarding the information systems that contain consumers’ personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), intellectual property and other sensitive data.
 

In this article, we’ll discuss how you can prepare to pursue a career in cyber security management. We’ll define the discipline, talk about what it takes to become a cyber security manager, some of the skills required and the projected job outlook for professionals in this area of information security.

What Is Cyber Security Management?

Cyber security management, which is also referred to as cyber security risk management, is a blanket term for an organization’s efforts to safeguard its information resources from industrial espionage, theft, fraud, ransom attacks and other threats. Cyber threats could come from external sources like hackers or “black hat” cybercriminals, internally from malicious employees, or even accidentally from vulnerabilities of a technical or human nature that allow a back door to be unintentionally left open for criminals to gain access to data systems.  

In cyber security management, an array of administrative, technical, legal, procedural and human resources practices all play a role in reducing an organization’s risk exposure. With the arrival of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies, the number of entry points that can be exploited by hackers has also increased, heightening the urgency of protecting networks and the devices we use to access them.  

Some of the major challenges facing cyber security risk management today include:

  • Evolving threats: As new technologies emerge, so do new attacks. Keeping up with it all can be a real challenge for information security managers and their teams, who must continually update and upgrade defensive systems.

  • Data influx: With the tremendous volume of consumer data, including PII and PHI, being gathered by organizations like financial institutions and healthcare systems, the risk for cyberattacks grows.

  • Awareness training: Cyber security isn’t just the IT department’s job. Everyone in an organization should undergo periodic training to recognize cyber threats and practice good cyber hygiene habits to keep the cybercriminals from gaining access to their systems. 

  • Workforce shortage: Another serious challenge is the shortage of qualified people to fill cyber security roles in large and small organizations. In its 2023 survey of more than 14,000 cyber security professionals, ISC2 found the already gaping global workforce gap widened by 12.6% in 2023.

  • Supply chain vulnerabilities: Software and hardware-based supply chain attacks on large corporations are becoming more of a challenge. Cybercriminals exploit weaknesses in the systems of the third-party vendors that these companies rely on, using their vulnerabilities to attack the big companies’ networks.

Becoming a Cyber Security Manager

If you want to prepare to pursue a career in cyber security management, begin your journey with an education that can help you gain the skills required for the job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analysts (another name for cyber security professionals) typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer information technology for entry into the occupation. 

Here at DeVry, we offer a Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Cyber Security that can help you gain first-hand knowledge and skills related to safeguarding information systems, with a curriculum that covers cyber security-related concepts like ethical hacking, network security testing, security planning and auditing, and more. Coursework in this bachelor’s degree program may also prepare you to pursue industry-relevant certification exams.  

Certifications in cyber security are intended to verify that you have the skills required for the job and may satisfy specific qualifications that employers might include in their job listings. Once you prepare for and pass an industry certification exam, there are typically requirements for periodic recertification or renewal of the credential, which may include continuing education requirements that make sure your skills are kept up to date. 

Some certification programs specific to cyber security include:

Alongside your education and certifications, you may also want to gain some industry experience before applying for entry-level positions in cyber security. You can do that through an internship or apprenticeship program while you’re still in school. These programs represent a tremendous opportunity to gain real-world experience and put an accomplishment on your resume as you prepare to launch your career.

Cyber Security Management Skills

The competencies required to pursue a role as a cyber security manager include a medley of technical skills, which are often called hard skills, and workplace skills, which are also called soft skills. If you browse the online job listings for cyber security-related roles, it is very likely that you’ll see some of these skills listed:

  • Security risk knowledge: This hard skill is elemental to cyber security management as it will help enable you to detect and identify the different types of security risks that you may encounter.

  • Risk management: It’s important for cyber security managers to have a firm understanding of how to manage security risks as they arise. With every risk identified, there should be a protocol to manage it and reduce its impact on your organization’s information systems.

  • Networks: A core competency for cyber security professionals is an understanding of network security and the common issues that arise in networked information systems and devices.

  • Operating systems: Beginning with Windows and Linux systems, you should be familiar with various operating systems and have an understanding of their security features and what additional software, such as firewalls and VPNs, you can use with each of them.

  • Scripting: In some roles, cyber security professionals are required to know how to script. While it may not always be mandatory, this skill will enable you to automate certain security tasks. Two of the scripting languages that you may want to begin with are Python and PowerShell.

  • Problem-solving: This soft skill is one that every cyber security professional needs. As most of your daily work will be related to problem solving, it’s important for you to have an understanding of different approaches to deal with problems calmly and professionally as they arise.

  • Interpersonal skills: This broad area involves your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders and others inside and outside of your organization. You may be required to explain highly technical information to non-technical audiences as part of an incident response. In this case, your ability to make it understandable without affecting its accuracy or its importance will be extremely useful.

The Job Outlook for Cyber Security Management Professionals

Cyber security managers work anywhere there are information systems that need safeguarding, and that includes education, insurance, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, government agencies and nonprofits, among other industries. 

The BLS projects employment of information security analysts to grow 32% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 16,800 openings projected each year, on average, over the decade.1 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 strong job growth to the need for cyber security professionals to respond to the increased frequency of cyberattacks, and the business community’s correspondingly ramped-up focus on enhancing cyber security measures. They also acknowledge that growth in e-commerce and the shift to remote work have increased the need for cyber security.

Want to Launch Your Career as a Cyber Defender?

If you’re ready to prepare to pursue a career in cyber security management, DeVry can help. The coursework in one of our bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees or undergraduate certificates can help you acquire many of the skills employers look for in this vital industry and can help you prepare to play our part as a cyber defender. 

At DeVry, you can complete your program on your schedule. Our online Bachelor’s Degree in information Technology and Networking with a Specialization in Cyber Security can be completed in as little as 2 years and 8 months on an accelerated schedule, or in 4 years on a normal one.2 This cyber security specialization is acknowledged and verified as an approved provider by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS®.) Several of our tech programs are designed with industry-recognized certifications in mind. Qualified students may receive up to a $300 reimbursement for the cost of one exam attempt across a wide range of certifications.3

Online learning with DeVry can help you balance your commitment to education with work, family and other aspects of your busy life. Classes start soon.

1Growth 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

2Normal schedule does not include breaks and assumes 2 semesters of year-round, full-time enrollment in 12-19 credit hours a semester per 12 month period. Accelerated schedule does not include breaks and assumes 3 semesters of year-round, full-time enrollment in 12-19 credit hours a semester per 12 month period.

3Eligible programs include the Bachelor's in Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Computer Information Systems and specializations within this program including: Cyber Security Programming, Computer Forensics, Software Programming, Information Systems Security, Web Development and Administration, Database Management and Web Game Programming Specialization. Associate in Engineering Technology and specializations within this program including: Machine Learning and Design Techniques, Medical Technology and Healthcare Systems, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Power. Associate in Information Technology and Networking and specializations within this program including: Automation and Electronic Systems and Network Systems Administration. Associate in Information Technology and Networking with specialization in Information Systems & Programming. Bachelor’s in Information Technology and Networking and specializations within this program including: Cyber Security, Cloud Based Networking and Virtualization and Mobile and Networked Devices. Bachelor’s in Software Development and specializations within this program including: Software Design and Programming, Web and Mobile Application Development and Big Data and Analytics. Bachelor’s in Network and Communications Management. Speak to your Student Support Advisor for additional information.

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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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