Cybersecurity professionals protect an organization’s hardware, networks and other information technology. Tactics to protect businesses include analyzing structural risks, testing weaknesses with ethical hacking and researching cyberattacks at a high level to identify patterns and develop solutions.

There are a variety of online cybersecurity certificate programs and courses to help you develop your IT career. Read on to learn why cybersecurity is a fast-growing industry and how online cybersecurity courses can help you learn new skills.

Studying cybersecurity is not limited to traditional on-campus programs. Many different schools offer courses, certificates and even full degrees online. If you’re not enrolling in a master’s program, it may be valuable to take an online cybersecurity certificate program. When evaluating these courses, you should consider:

Common job titles for cybersecurity experts include security engineer, security administrator, security architect, security specialist, security consultant and information security analyst.  

By taking single courses instead of a full program, you can study a variety of topics that interest you, at your own pace. Some courses work with different vendors or specialties, such as Cisco, (ISC)2 and Microsoft, whereas other courses cover topics more generally. Topics can include:

Cybersecurity and related information technology professions often focus on practical skills as opposed to degrees and certificates. Still, a certificate can indicate that you are learning and practicing skills outside of work. There are a wide range of certificate types available ranging from full-blown multi-semester programs to 10-12 week courses.

And there is a lot of work. Experts estimate there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs by 2021 (PDF, 406 KB) , according to a Hervajec Group report. Cybersecurity experts may need advanced training to move up in an organization. According to the BLS, in addition to a bachelor’s degree, many employers prefer cybersecurity job candidates to have certification .

While many in cybersecurity go into the role of information security analysts, other common cybersecurity roles in organizations include:

When determining if a cybersecurity certificate is worth it, keep in mind that these roles can pay well. The 2019 average national salary for computer and information systems managers was $146,360 per year, according to the BLS. Meanwhile, top executives, like chief infosec officers, averaged $104,690 per year. All of these roles require some degree of cybersecurity knowledge, which an online cybersecurity certificate can help you learn.

Deciding between a cybersecurity graduate certificate and a master’s degree in cybersecurity can be a challenge. The right cybersecurity program can be helpful for attaining some positions, but isn’t necessarily needed to enter the field. Some job listings might only require specific tools or technology-related certifications like CompTIA’s Security+, Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), and Certified Encryption Specialist (EC-Council ECES).

There may be some financial benefit to completing a master’s in cybersecurity. According to the BLS, those with master’s degrees earn $1,434 weekly, compared to $1,198 for those with only a bachelor’s degree.

Ultimately, deciding between a graduate certificate in cybersecurity and a master’s degree is a personal choice, dependent on where you want to work, which skills you possess, and how you plan to advance your career.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cyber or information security analyst positions are expected to grow 32% between 2018 and 2028, which is faster than average. Additionally, if you plan to work in cybersecurity, it is important to point out that the 2019 median annual pay for information security analysts was $99,730. Do your research to determine if cybersecurity certification is right for you.

Online short courses are one way you can advance your skills in a given career field. They are an opportunity to explore a field that interests you without committing to a degree program. A short course is a condensed learning program that allows you to gain new knowledge or enhance existing knowledge in any field, including cybersecurity. Short courses are different from certificate programs or e-courses, though they follow a similar structure. They often offer an abridged learning program for a wide range of topics.

Short courses can range from simple introductions to topics all the way to technical training and advanced education. A short course may be something you take to explore if that area of study is right for you.

Online short courses offer greater flexibility than other online schooling options. Short courses can be adapted to fit your schedule and commitment level. Because they are condensed versions of larger courses, they require a smaller time commitment.

If you’re new to cybersecurity or just exploring if cybersecurity may be the right field for you, a short course, particularly an introductory course, is a great way to gauge your interest in the topic. Longer programs or more advanced courses require a greater commitment, be it a full semester or even years. Short courses, on the other hand, are only a matter of weeks.

A full online cybersecurity certificate program or degree would also be a larger investment. Short courses are designed to be taken by people who are not degree-seekers and therefore should only need to be purchased course-by-course. If you decide you want to commit to cybersecurity, you may change your mind and enroll in a full program, but short courses make it easy to start and learn when you want.

If you’re already working in an entry- or mid-level cybersecurity field, you may find you only need specific skills to advance your career. Not every cybersecurity career requires knowledge of every tactic in the field. Taking a short course in cybersecurity may get you where you need to be.

There are many different ways to evaluate a cybersecurity course online. Some things to consider include:

As you look over various programs, determine which ones seem like the best fit. Like all educational decisions, deciding what online cybersecurity courses to take is a personal one.

Last Upated May 2020