Cybersecurity—indispensable in this digital world—is the process of protecting networks, devices, and data from numerous types of malicious cyberattacks. Whether it’s tech giants, hospitals, or small-scale businesses, anyone can fall victim to hackers. And this is fuelling the demand for cybersecurity experts. If you’re considering a career in cybersecurity, online courses can be a great way to start. And a master’s degree can give your career a major boost if you’d like to go all in.
Here, we’ve listed some of the best cybersecurity online courses and master’s programs that you can choose from.
Popular cybersecurity courses
- Udemy – The Complete Cyber Security Course: Hackers Exposed!
Udemy is among the esteemed online course providers for both professionals and students. This particular cybersecurity course offered by Udemy is great for beginners. You will get to learn and develop practical skills that allow you to defeat advanced hackers, trackers, malware, and several other online threats. You will also learn about darknets, darkmarkets, phishing, and zero day vulnerabilities, among other threats to online security. - MIT Management Executive Education – Cybersecurity for Managers
This online program is designed for managers and executives in various types of organizations, and it has no technical prerequisites, making it ideal for beginners. You will get to learn the various types of possible online threats and understand how to build improved defenses and cultivate a culture of ethics and cyber awareness in your organization. The course will teach you to measure risk exposure, handle threats, and design an effective plan against them. - Coursera – Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization (Offered by NYU)
Offered by the New York University (Tandon School of Engineering), this is another great cybersecurity course for beginners. The specialization consists of four courses that will allow you to learn about cryptography, risk assessment, cyber defense, cyberattacks, Information Security (INFOSEC), and much more. The course also includes hands-on projects, which you must successfully complete to earn a certificate. - Harvard – Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age
Understanding the various types of cyberattacks in depth is crucial to fight them, and this Harvard course will help you with just that. It will also help you understand the business systems that are at a higher risk and the importance of a company-wide approach to cybersecurity. You will walk away with the ability to develop an elaborate cyber risk mitigation strategy by the end of the course.
Should you get a master’s degree in cybersecurity?
As mentioned earlier, there is a rapid growth in demand for cybersecurity professionals the world over. In fact, it is among the top 10 fastest-growing job markets in the nation. Although a master’s degree may require a significant amount of investment in terms of your time and money, the positive impact on your career makes it worth the effort. Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, and a master’s program will ensure that you stay ahead of your peers by boosting your critical thinking, problem-solving, and management skills. Top employers are always looking for highly-qualified professionals, and a master’s degree can help you meet these requirements. Plus, it’s a lifelong credential that can pay off well throughout your career.
Here are the top 10 schools to consider for online cybersecurity programs if you’re looking to get a master’s degree:
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of San Diego
- University of Southern California
- New York University
- Maryville University of Saint Louis
- George Washington University
- University of Maryland
- Texas A&M University
- George Mason University
