Bachelor's Degree Specialization in Cyber Security

Keep Sensitive Information Secure

Are you interested in making a career out of keeping data safe from cybercriminals? If so, our Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Cyber Security may be right for you. Our online cyber security degree specialization covers critical concepts related to information technology (IT) to help you improve your ability to protect networks from bad actors. 

Our online cyber security degree specialization, designed using our Tech Core curriculum, aims to help you build interdisciplinary skills to build a firm foundation in tech and IT. And even better, this degree can be completed online, allowing it to fit into your schedule, no matter how busy.

 

Get to Know Our Cyber Security Degree Specialization

In our Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Cyber Security, you’ll have the chance to see first-hand what it takes to defend networks, applications and systems against online attacks from hackers and other cybercriminals. You’ll explore some of the methods used to protect companies from these attackers and familiarize yourself with concepts such as network security testing including countermeasure testing and risk factor analysis. Using these skills, you’ll learn how to build detailed security and contingency plans, as well as learn disaster recovery should an attack ever occur.

Our Cyber Security Specialization can be earned as a part of our Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Networking.

  • Join a fast-growing profession: Looking for a career with growth potential? Consider this: employment of information security analysts is projected to grow, on a national level, 33% from 2020 to 2030, which is significantly faster than the average for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1
  • Gain hands-on experience: Our online cyber security degree specialization includes hands-on learning opportunities designed to help you gain greater familiarity with networks, software and security technologies wherever you are.
  • Benefit from the experience of our professors: Our experienced faculty provide real-world perspectives of the challenges, threats and opportunities that face cyber security professionals. They also have the experience and tools needed to make online learning productive and engaging.
  • Start building your future now: Classes start every 8 weeks. Even better, you can earn your Bachelor's Degree Specialization in Cyber Security from DeVry University in as little as 2 years and 8 months, or even faster with qualifying transfer credits.*

 


Classes Start Every 8 Weeks

Earn your Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology and Networking with Cyber Security Specialization in as little as 2 years + 8 months*—or even more quickly with qualifying transfer credits.

*Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.

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Availability

DeVry University’s Cyber Security curriculum is acknowledged and verified as an approved provider by NICCS.

Future Cyber Defenders Scholars Program

Why DeVry?

Complimentary Laptop

You’ll get a complimentary laptop as part of your technology program2. It’s our way of investing in your education—and you.

Work With IoT Technologies & Systems

Immerse yourself in the Internet of Things (IoT) world and obtain hands-on experience with IoT, cloud, software and security technologies and systems.

Certification Exam Reimbursement

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:

  • CompTIA A+
  • CompTIA Linux+
  • CompTIA Network+
  • CompTIA Cloud+


Other certifications may also be eligible for reimbursement. Speak to your Student Support Advisor for additional information.

Questions? We can help!

What You'll Learn

When you pursue an online cyber security degree specialization from DeVry University, you’ll learn the following:

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Problem Solving

Learn how to use business and management principles to problem-solve a variety of workplace challenges. Apply these principles to technologies within the workplace to create effective solutions that embrace digital solutions.

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Programming

Learn about the basics of programming, such as variables, expressions, conditionals and functions. These topics provide foundations in coding and scripting – skills essential in the IT field.

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Security Planning and Auditing

Analyze and mitigate security risks by looking at risk factor analysis in order to design a flexible and comprehensive security plan. Learn how to assess threats, develop countermeasures, protect information, design security processes and perform security audits to verify compliance with policies and procedures.

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Digital Devices

Explore digital concepts, devices and connectivity within the realm of the Internet of Things (IoT). Topics include programming, networking, securing and deploying digital devices.

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Small Enterprise Networks

Gain an understanding of the underlying technology of networks and the internet to produce, secure, operate and troubleshoot small enterprise networks. Learn networking basics such as the OSI and TCP/IP models, protocols, routers, switches, small network configuration, troubleshooting and network security.

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OS Architecture and Design

Develop an understanding of operating system architecture and design. This area of study covers topics such as processes, threads, their states and synchronization. Learn about security from an Operating System (OS) perspective and get introduced to distributed systems, architectures and OS Virtualization.

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Operating Systems

Learn how to install and configure operating systems using Command Line Interface (CLI). The CLI is a vital building block of programming and is essential to modifying the core settings of a variety of devices.

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Ethical Hacking

Gain the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and pinpoint cyber attacks. Discover the methods behind hacking attacks and countermeasures in order to build defense mechanisms that protect applications, systems and networks from hackers.

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Collaboration

Work collaboratively in a team environment. Coordinate and share information to achieve a common goal. Simulate the workplace through hands-on projects that develop communication and management skills.

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Data Analysis

Learn to draw conclusions by finding patterns and relationships in numerical data with tools used for statistical analysis. Find out how to dig deeper into data architectures to discover valuable information.

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IT Operation, Regulation and Trends

Gain an understanding of operation, regulation and trends as related to information technology and networking. Find out the latest developments in this field and learn how to stay up to date in your profession.

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Network Security Testing

Examine network security testing using a layered approach that requires design, implementation and testing of attack countermeasures.

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Systems Administration

Examine technologies and systems that serve voice traffic and design LANs and VLANs. Learn the fundamentals of network design and infrastructure security.

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Digital Literacy

Learn how to apply appropriate technologies to workplace problems and discover how to navigate digital spaces. Digital literacy also intertwines with media literacy in virtual spaces.

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Communication

Find out how to communicate effectively across various environments and platforms orally and through writing. Develop basic composition skills to increase your clarity of communication and effectiveness when conveying problems or solutions to coworkers.

Embedded Programs - Demonstrate Skills at Every Step

Earn two additional credentials with our unique 3-in-1 design. Courses in our Networking Essentials Certificate program and Information Technology and Networking Associate Degree are embedded within our Cyber Security Specialization for the Information Technology & Networking Bachelor’s Degree program. This allows you to obtain a certificate and an associate degree on the way to your bachelor's degree.**

Career Opportunities

Cyber security can be an excellent choice for those looking for an in-demand career with strong growth potential. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of information security analysts is projected, on a national level, to grow much faster than the average for all occupations as organizations seek out highly skilled professionals to protect sensitive information.1

Graduates of our Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Networking with a Specialization in Cyber Security may consider careers such as:

  • Computer Systems Analyst

  • Computer Network Support Specialist

  • Information Security Analyst

  • Security Analyst

  • Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)

  • Vulnerability Assessor

Skills Focused Curriculum

Elements of the curriculum are aligned to industry certifications to help you validate your knowledge and skills as you prepare to pursue such certification exams as:

  • CompTIA A+: This certification touches on elements of troubleshooting, hardware and operating systems.
  • CompTIA Linux+: The Linux certification verifies proficiency with the Linux operating system and its various applications.
  • CompTIA Network+: Network+ certifies your knowledge and proficiency with emerging technologies such as cloud computing and the Internet of Things.
  • CompTIA Cloud+: This certification proves your ability to set up, manage and maintain cloud computing systems in a secure fashion.
  • CompTIA Security+: This certification demonstrates your skills in keeping network devices, services and traffic secure.
  • CEH Certification: Short for Certified Ethical Hacker, this qualification certifies your ability to assess security and look for vulnerable points in computer systems.
  • CompTIA CySA+: This intermediate-level certification is for cyber security analysts, and measures proficiency in analytics, intrusion detection and response to threats.
  • CompTIA CASP+: A technical certification ideally suited for practitioner-level professionals, this involves solution implementation within existing frameworks.
  • CompTIA PenTest+:This intermediate-level certification measures skills in vulnerability assessment and network penetration testing.

Cyber Security Degree Specialization Courses

This online cyber security degree specialization is rooted in courses that are designed to help you effectively communicate, collaborate in dynamic work environments, solve complex problems and analyze numerical data. It also incorporates our Tech Core curriculum, which aims to help you develop interdisciplinary skills in operating systems, programming, hardware, connectivity and security that are needed for the IoT economy of today.

At DeVry, we recognize the importance of providing a well-rounded education. In addition to learning the technical skills required by a career in cyber security, the courses you can take may include topics such public speaking, principles of economics and environmental sociology, among others.

General Education Courses

Communication skills

ENGL112 Composition
ENGL135 Advanced Composition
ENGL216 Technical Writing

One of:

SPCH275 Public Speaking
SPCH276 Intercultural Communication

Humanities

LAS432 Technology, Society, and Culture Social Sciences

One of:

ETHC232 Ethical and Legal Issues in the Professions
ETHC334 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Social Sciences

ECON312 Principles of Economics
SOCS185 Culture and Society

One of:

SOCS325 Environmental Sociology
SOCS350 Cultural Diversity in the Professions

Mathematics & Natural Sciences

MATH114 Algebra for College Students
MATH221 Statistics for Decision-Making
MATH234 Discrete Math in Information Technology
PHYS204 Applied Physics with Lab

Personal & Professional Development

CARD405 Career Development
COLL148 Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Tech Core Courses

Tech Core

CEIS101 Introduction to Technology and Information Systems
CEIS106 Introduction to Operating Systems
CEIS110 Introduction to Programming
CEIS114 Introduction to Digital Devices
NETW191 Fundamentals of Information Technology and Networking
NETW211 Fundamentals of Cloud Computing
SEC285 Fundamentals of Information System Security

Program-Specific Courses

Information Systems and Programming

CEIS150 Programming with Objects
CEIS236 Database Systems and Programming Fundamentals
CEIS312 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Network Systems Administration

MGMT408 Management of Technology Resources
NETW260 Intermediate Information Technology and Networking I
NETW270 Intermediate Information Technology and Networking II
NETW310 Wired, Optical and Wireless Communications with Lab
NETW404 Data Center Virtualization

Career Preparation

CEIS299 Careers and Technology
CEIS499 Preparation for the Profession
MGMT404 Project Management
TECH460 Senior Project

Specialized Courses

Cyber Security

SEC290 Fundamentals of Infrastructure Security
SEC310 Principles and Theory of Security Management

One of:

SEC311 Ethical Hacking
SEC321 Network Security Testing with Lab

One of:

SEC340 Business Continuity
SEC360 Data Privacy and Security
SEC380 Cloud Computing Security
SEC440 Information System Security Planning and Audit

Cyber Security Degree Specialization Coursework Preview

When you choose to pursue the Cyber Security Degree Specialization for your Information Technology and Networking Bachelor's Degree program, your coursework may include the following courses:

Wired, Optical and Wireless Communications with Lab

Students study transmission media's role as one of the many sources of systems security vulnerability. This course discusses the various types of media used to connect computing and digital devices to networks, and their significance when planning a secure system. The course covers several major media, including copper, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, wireless and microwave media. Physical and virtual systems are analyzed, implemented and secured.

Ethical Hacking

This course provides you with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills related to activities behind hacking attacks and countermeasures. Coursework helps students build defense mechanisms to protect applications, systems and networks from hackers. Security loopholes, as well as many of the attack tools used by black hat hackers, are examined.

Network Security Testing with Lab

This course examines network security testing, including testing countermeasures against malware threats such as denial of service (DOS), distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks, email, web and wireless. This course also communicates the importance using a layered approach requiring design, implementation and testing of attack countermeasures.

Information Systems Security Planning and Audit

This course provides an in-depth look at risk factor analysis that must be performed in order to design a flexible and detailed security plan. Topics include assessing threats, developing countermeasures, protecting information and security designs processes. Auditing practices used to verify compliance with policies and procedures, as well as for building a case for presentation in private and public settings, are also covered.

FAQs: Cyber Security Degree Specialization


How long does a cyber security degree specialization take?

Our Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Networking with a Specialization in Cyber Security at DeVry can be earned in as little as 2 years and 8 months*, or even more quickly with qualifying transfer credits.


Is there a difference in the hybrid or online cyber security degree specialization?

No. The courses you take and the requirements to graduate from DeVry are the same whether you enroll in our hybrid or online Cyber Security Degree Specialization. 


What kind of degree do you need for cyber security?

It depends on the specific job you would like to pursue. Typically, a career in cyber security requires at least a bachelor’s degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority of information security analyst positions require a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field, such as a cyber security specialization.1


Is a degree in cyber security worth it?

A cyber security degree can be worth it on several levels. According to the BLS, a career in cyber security represents tremendous growth opportunity, with employment of information security analysts anticipated to grow, on a national level, 33% percent between 2020 and 20301. Also, a career in cyber security can provide great personal satisfaction knowing that the work you do can help keep your organization, its employees and customers safe from cybercrime.


Is cyber security hard?

Completing a cyber security program requires focused work and dedication, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it's hard. At DeVry, our programs are designed to help students like you gain a better understanding of this exciting field. To facilitate that goal, we offer benefits like hands-on learning opportunities, 24/7 access to online tutors3, access to a digital library and career services support. By taking advantage of resources and devoting consistent effort to your studies, a degree in cyber security can be within your grasp.


What soft skills do you need for cyber security?

There are several soft skills that can help people work toward a career in cyber security. Excellent communication and writing skills can help you clearly convey issues and solutions to management, while organization and collaboration skills can help you remain collected should an issue arise. These soft skills supplement a thorough knowledge of technical skills such as network building, programming and system maintenance.


Academic Catalog

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Program Overview

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Academic Catalog

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Program Overview

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Related Programs


*Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment. Additional program information may be found on our Degree Programs page.
**At the time of application to the next credential level, an evaluation of qualifying transfer credit will occur and the most beneficial outcome will be applied.
1Growth Projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
2As part of this program, one complimentary laptop is provided to students enrolled in the Associate in Cybersecurity and Networking, Associate in Information Technology and Networking, Associate in Engineering Technology, Bachelor’s of Information Technology and Networking, Bachelor’s of Software Development, Bachelor’s of Engineering Technology, Bachelor’s of Network and Communications Management and Bachelor’s of Computer Information Systems. The laptop is issued during the student’s second session. Certain restrictions apply.
3https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
4Each student is allotted a set number of hours of tutoring per academic session through www.Tutor.com (available 24/7). Additional tutoring services are also available through www.DeVryTutors.com.

All students enrolled in site-based programs will be required to take some coursework online and, for some programs and locations, a substantial portion of the program may be required to be completed online.