Computer security is becoming ever more important, as increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks threaten individuals, organizations, companies and even governments throughout the world. With such a significant need for qualified information protection, it's important for aspiring information systems security professionals to know what they're doing. For this reason, engaging in a quality education in the subject is a critical step towards earning a position in the field. An online information security systems degree program can help up-and-coming professionals and industry veterans alike make advances towards this goal.
Information systems security is a subject offered online at multiple accredited schools across the country. This is wonderful, but it can also be overwhelming: since you could pursue an online program at any college anywhere, which college is the best choice for you to attend?
To assist with this debate, we have created this list of the 10 best online colleges for information systems security using data from the National Center for Education Statistics' Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). We analyzed IPEDS data points such as tuition costs and number of relevant programs being offered online to craft a ranking that focuses on the needs of the online, nontraditional student; for more details on our methodology, see the bottom of this page.
The University of Maryland-University College is recognized as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the NSA, and the institution didn't earn that recognition by sitting on their laurels. They host a bevy of online degree programs in cybersecurity, both graduate and undergraduate, as well as a set of online cybersecurity certificate programs. Program options include, but are not limited to:
As part of UMUC's endeavor to combine theory courses with real-world skills, these programs include classes in subjects such as fundamentals of computer troubleshooting, interconnecting Cisco devices, digital forensics, Linux system administration and much more.
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3501 University Blvd EastThe University of Phoenix offers three different online certificate programs in cybersecurity, each requiring a minimum of 18 credits to complete. However, these certificates can also be taken as part of a specific IT-related degree program, allowing students to earn a full degree along with their certificate in cybersecurity -- all 100 percent online.
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Colorado Technical University was founded in an old roller rink by a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel in 1965. In the years since, however, CTU has established campus locations in Aurora and Colorado Springs, as well as a robust online college that offers a truly staggering number of options in information security systems.
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Central Texas College has a long history of offering distance education to American service members stationed in Europe, South Korea and to U.S. military personnel stationed in the Indo-Asian Pacific Command. However, you don't have to be a member of the military to take advantage of the college's many online programs, such as the online certificate program in cybersecurity.
This program has monthly start dates and requires a total of 17 credit hours to complete. The curriculum includes study in networking, CompTIA security, security assessment and auditing, firewalls, and a network defense and countermeasures capstone course. Online courses at CTC are self-paced and vary in length from five to 16 weeks.
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Headquartered at Grand Rapids, Michigan, Davenport University is a private nonprofit university that offers two online programs in information security: a Bachelor of Science in cyber defense, and a Master of Science in information assurance and cybersecurity. The B.S. program requires 120 credits to complete and features specializations in information assurance and healthcare information assurance. Undergraduate students also can minor in math, building a foundation in applied mathematics that can be useful in the technology workforce. The M.S. program requires 34 credits and includes a master's thesis on information assurance.
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The oldest Catholic institution of higher education in Florida is Saint Leo University, founded in 1889 and rooted in 1,500-year-old Benedictine traditions. At this private, nonprofit university, students can pursue various online degree programs in information systems security, such as a 60-credit online associate program or a 120-credit Bachelor of Science program. An 18-credit minor in cybersecurity can also be added on to a related degree program if desired.
Graduate students can choose between a Master of Science in cybersecurity program, or an MBA with a concentration in cybersecurity management. Both programs are 36 credits to complete, but the M.S. program focuses on cybersecurity first and foremost, while the MBA program approaches cybersecurity from the perspective of a leader or manager position.
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Part of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State University offers many educational pathways in information security. Undergraduate students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity, or take a more managerial approach through the online Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Security and Assurance (BBA-ISA). Students in another field may be interested in adding on the 18-credit hour minor in information security and assurance. There are also two undergraduate certificate programs: the first in information security and assurance, the second in information technology security. The former is also available as an online graduate certificate program.
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Minnesota West Community and Technical College can be an excellent place to start learning about information systems security, especially for an online student. The school's Associate of Applied Science in computer information security and assurance is, in fact, only available online. It requires 60 credits to complete, and it introduces students to many cybersecurity tools and concepts, such as microcomputers, networking, computer forensics and ethical hacking.
MWCTC also offers an online undergraduate certificate program in information security management that requires 14 credits to complete. This program is designed to teach students how to manage the security for an organization, in a position as management, accounting personnel, computer technical support and similar professionals.
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While it was founded in 1881 as a teacher college in the Dakota Territory, Dakota State University has changed its focus over the years, moving to specialize in computer management, computer information systems and other IT-related subjects, among them information systems security. Options such as a cybersecurity certificate program, a Master of Science in cyber defense and a Doctor of Science in cybersecurity offer students many different levels of education for learning how to protect their computers and systems.
In addition, DSU has several related computer-oriented online degree programs that can help students approach cybersecurity from different angles and with different skills, as you might expect from a university specializing in IT subjects. Of particular interest is the graduate certificate program in ethical hacking, which can help students better understand what kind of cyber-attacks they might be facing… by teaching them how to hack for themselves!
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820 N Washington AveThis private, Christian, liberal arts college was founded in 1888, and its mission is to foster both intellectual and spiritual growth among its students. One of the many intellectual fields the University of the Cumberlands offers this guidance in is information systems security, via its online Master of Science in information systems security degree program. The program is mapped to align with national cybersecurity education standards, and it is particularly designed for students who want to take the CISSP certification exam. Students who have earned key industry certifications may be eligible to use that experience to replace certain courses in the degree path, and the university allows for up to nine transfer credits of equivalent courses.
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Cyber theft is the fastest-growing crime in the U.S., and hackers find new ways to violate computer systems every day. Companies in nearly every industry are relying on information systems security professionals who have up-to-date training and advanced technological skills to meet this challenge. This section explains coursework students may encounter in online programs for information systems security, and the skills that coursework may develop.
Usually, online education for information systems security leads to a bachelor's degree, the standard educational requirement for information security analyst and network and computer systems administrator positions. Online bachelor's degree programs in information systems security usually provide instruction in both theoretical concepts — helping students to understand the fundamentals of information technology — as well as industry-recognized technical skills.
Online bachelor's degree programs in information systems security typically cover subjects such as probability and statistics, algebra, critical thinking/logic and even communications and technical writing. Students may also study aspects of other fields such as cyber law and privacy, digital forensics, disaster planning and recovery and management. Common courses in this major may include:
Additionally, students earning online information systems security degrees may be eligible to receive certain IT certifications — such as Cisco, Linux, Windows or CompTIA certifications — as part of their programs.
Master's degree programs in information systems security and related subjects are usually designed for those already working in the field who want to move into leadership positions. Some employers prefer analysts to earn Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees in information security, which are designed to prepare students for leading organizations in planning for, preventing and recovering from security threats.
Online education for information systems security has a lot of useful technical information to impart to its students. However, students can also learn important skills from these programs that will serve them well in the workplace. These include:
With corporations and governments being threatened by hackers constantly nowadays, the importance of system security cannot be overstated. Demand for these professionals and their skills is rising, making this a career with a lot of opportunities.
Information security analysts perform one of the most important tasks in any modern business: they protect their company's data, networks and systems from cyberattacks and data breaches. With the number of attacks on the rise every year, these workers must stay informed and diligent at all times. They must act both preemptively — putting up firewalls, encrypting data, testing their own systems for any vulnerability that could be exploited — and reactively — investigating breaches of security, reporting the circumstances and, most crucially, stopping the attack as quickly as possible.
Job duties include monitoring network systems for inconsistencies or suspicious activity, installing software that protects networks and data, researching new security trends and troubleshooting whenever an attack takes place. When a data breach occurs, information security analysts are also charged with creating in-depth reports to describe what went wrong.
Enormous collections of information that is of utmost importance to businesses — customer information, shipping details, financial records — are stored in a company's databases, and a database administrator is the person who protects and grows those databases to the benefit of the entire enterprise. From planning the first seeds of a new database, to incorporating and organizing all of the database's relevant information, to merging old and unnecessary databases with fresh new projects, a database administrator owns their database from beginning to end.
Because the data they work with often contains sensitive material, database administrators must be constantly on guard to make sure their records are secure against unauthorized access. They verify the data they gather, back up their databases in case of a power outage and may work with management or information security analysts to obtain protective measures for their projects.
Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of their company's computer networks. Job duties include organizing, installing and supporting computer systems while maintaining LANs, WANs and various other data communication systems.
While specifics will vary between employers, the primary role of these professionals is always making sure their company's computer network is operating efficiently and safely. To that end, they install and update various security provisions and software programs, oversee system security and solve network problems as they arise.
As the U.S. Department of Labor notes, most network and computer systems administrator careers require a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field. However, some employers only require a postsecondary certificate.