How to Learn Cyber Security

A snapshot of the cyber security environment reveals that a persistent skills gap continues to drive the need for skilled cyber security professionals. Luckily, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (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 job 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.

Information security analysts and other cyber security professionals who’ve made the commitment to learn cyber security work in roles such as cyber security analyst or cyber security manager, performing a variety of tasks to safeguard information systems. Their daily duties may include:

If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in cyber security, consider the educational requirements for this field. To learn cyber security, you will need to acquire or sharpen a mixture of technical skills and workplace or soft skills that can help you go far in a cyber security role. You also may want to acquire industry-recognized certifications that might help you stand out to future employers as an attractive job candidate or qualify for positions where certifications are specified.

According to the BLS, information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer science field and employers may prefer to hire analysts with professional certifications. Look for an undergraduate degree program that will expose you to the fundamentals of cyber security and help you build important cyber security capabilities. At DeVry, our Cyber Security Programming Degree Specialization, which can be earned as part of our Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems, is such a program. One of several cyber security degree and certificate programs we offer, this program is anchored with our Tech Core curriculum, designed to help you build interdisciplinary skills needed for today’s Internet of Things (IoT) economy. It covers data privacy and security, information systems security planning and audit, web security, advanced network security, ethical hacking and penetration testing, and other topics that can help you develop the skills and tools you need to safeguard data systems and help you prepare to pursue a variety of cyber security programming careers.

In addition to hands-on technical learning, coursework in this Bachelor’s Degree Specialization will help you sharpen essential collaboration skills like verbal and written communication, critical thinking and problem-solving. DeVry’s cyber security curriculum is acknowledged and verified as an approved provider by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies.

Another step along your cyber security career journey, and another important topic in our discussion of how to learn cyber security, involves industry-recognized certifications that verify your skills in different areas of the discipline. The coursework in several of our tech programs is designed with these certifications in mind.

A partial list of certifications that are relevant in cyber security includes:

Cyber security skills can be developed in several ways, including training in virtual and cloud environments. Many cyber security courses, including the ones offered here at DeVry, include virtual labs where you can practice the application of your skills using real security tools. Another interesting option is to set up your own virtual cyber security lab where you can experiment with various penetration testing tools and techniques in a controlled – and legal – environment.

A basic virtual cyber security lab will include 3 elements:

You might find forums and online communities to be useful resources to help you to learn cyber security. By joining a forum, you can ask questions about the field, network and learn about potential career paths. Non-professional groups may be a good place to start and can provide a place to explore and discuss cyber security news, jobs and general cyber security topics. 

Online communities and forums may also be an effective vehicle for continuing education. As early career cyber defenders and experienced professionals alike continue to be challenged by the fast pace of technology, the timely information sharing and collaboration made possible by online communities is becoming an essential resource. Online communities made up of diverse and globally dispersed IT and security professionals are a great place to share information about attack methods and gather up-to-date information about computer-related security matters.

Some of the more popular forums include: 

Where can aspiring cyber defenders gain hands-on experience once they’ve earned the required education? Cyber security internships can give you hands-on experience and equip you with the practical skills and experience that might help you stand out when you put your job search in gear.

At DeVry, our Career Services team is also here to give you support. We offer a variety of benefits to our students and alumni, including regularly scheduled webinars, virtual career fairs and employer information sessions. Our certified career advisors can help you identify job search strategies, prepare for job interviews, and provide resume and cover letter reviews.

If you want to prepare to pursue a career in cyber security, DeVry can help. With degree programs like our online Bachelor's Degree Specialization in Cyber Security Programming, we provide the hands-on and conceptual learning to help you develop skills that will help you learn to safeguard data, systems and applications against cyberattacks and prepare to pursue careers such as software developer, penetration and vulnerability tester, information security analyst and others.

Online learning with DeVry can help you balance your commitment to education with work, family and other aspects of your busy life. Let’s talk about getting you started in our next session.