When considering a career change to the cybersecurity field, it’s important to understand what being a professional in the rapidly growing industry entails.
Boise State University’s online Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience and online Master of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience programs can prepare you to become a cybersecurity professional and leader with practical skills to build holistic resilience.
In addition to gaining hard skills like data analysis or coding, you will develop soft skills such as being a team-oriented critical thinker with strong ethics.
In the undergraduate or graduate programs, you will prepare to anticipate, detect, mitigate and manage threats across cyber, physical and interdependent infrastructure systems.
Boise State’s approach to cyber operations and resilience centers on securing people, processes and technology, making the field accessible and relevant to you, no matter your background.
With curiosity, a growth mindset and a commitment to learning, anyone can thrive in these online degree programs and in an array of cybersecurity roles and tasks.
What cybersecurity professionals do every day
Once you land a position in the field, you will work closely with management to make sure the company you work for is protected against cyberattacks.
A day in the life of a cybersecurity professional includes monitoring, detecting, investigating, analyzing and responding to security events to protect systems from cybersecurity risks, threats and vulnerabilities.
Cybersecurity professionals work on information technology teams dedicated to protecting the integrity of the company’s data and network, which are essential to its success.
With these roles, you will guard against the many types of ways for adversaries to access important data, including an outside threat actor or an insider threat within an organization.
Daily duties vary by role, such as analyst, risk manager or operations. An analyst works to detect and remediate potential security threats and troubleshoot escalated user issues across all technology and applications related to security.
A risk manager diagnoses and solves network-related issues within an organization and actively monitors systems for cybersecurity threats to ensure system integrity through risk mitigation.
An operations role includes securing a company’s infrastructure by monitoring and responding to security threats.
What does a cybersecurity position entail?
There is quite a bit more to working in cybersecurity than coding and monitoring. A strong moral foundation, good communication skills and a high level of ethics, integrity and empathy are important qualities that complement technical tool mastery for any quality cybersecurity professional.
The ability to stay resilient and calm under pressure and constantly learn are also important characteristics for most cybersecurity job responsibilities.
Working in the field can be unpredictable, but Boise State’s online cybersecurity and resilience programs prepare you to make a real-world impact.
Taught by experienced faculty, the curriculum in each program equips you with practical knowledge, industry-recognized certifications and hands-on skills that prepare you to contribute immediately in the workforce and jump-start your career.
What is it actually like to work in cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is one of the most vibrant, exciting and in-demand career fields in the current business landscape.
Once you gain the necessary education and skills to work in the field, you will qualify for roles across most industries. After getting experience under your belt, you can change positions and add to your skill set in other cybersecurity job areas.
With a bachelor’s degree, you will qualify to work in roles such as computer and information systems manager, information security analyst, systems administrator, cybersecurity analyst, security analyst I, information security developer, network analyst, IT security governance, identity management, security assurance analyst, technical support specialist, database administrator and enterprise architect.
With a master’s degree, you will qualify to work in roles such as cybersecurity specialist, deputy chief information security officer or cybersecurity analyst.
Boise State’s programs also include credential and certification options that build on one another, so you can make steady progress and earn meaningful achievements along the way. This stackable structure helps you gain career-ready skills sooner, without waiting until graduation.
Learn more about the cyber operations and resilience program
Boise State’s cyber operations and resilience program can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online program is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.