| Do you know where your sensitive information | | | | |
| is or more importantly who is responsible | | | | An associate's degree will likely impart a |
| safeguarding it? In all likelihood your | | | | good amount of technical knowledge and allow |
| personal, sensitive information is sitting in | | | | for an entry level position to the graduate. |
| various computer databases throughout the | | | | Fortunately an associate's degree can be |
| country in all types of organizations. | | | | acquired while working towards a bachelor's |
| | | | degree. |
| Hopefully your information is being guarded | | | | |
| over by diligent and educated information | | | | A bachelor's degree is generally considered |
| security professionals whose mission in life | | | | the standard foundation from which a |
| is to ensure that this information does not | | | | professional career is built and will of |
| fall into the wrong hands. | | | | course open many more doors than what would |
| | | | be expected from a two year degree. |
| As you may have ascertained, the work that | | | | |
| these men and women perform is critical to | | | | Finally a graduate degree would best serve |
| our economy, our businesses and our | | | | those who already have a healthy amount of |
| government. | | | | industry experience, for those seeking |
| | | | management positions or even for those who |
| Have you ever considered a career in | | | | already have an unrelated undergraduate |
| information security? According to the U.S. | | | | degree and that are looking at making a |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those who | | | | career change. |
| work in information security will see rapid | | | | |
| job growth and greater demand for skilled | | | | In addition to earning a degree, a student |
| technicians at a 10 year projected growth | | | | may also earn various vendor neutral |
| rate of 16%. This of course will generate a | | | | certifications in information security such |
| greater demand for information security | | | | as the Certified Information Systems Security |
| experts which will lead to increases in the | | | | Professional (CISSP) or the Systems Security |
| expected earnings of those working within the | | | | Certified Practitioner (SSCP) offered by |
| field. | | | | (ISC) which is largely regarded as a standard |
| | | | in the industry. The Security certification |
| According to Payscale.com, the current median | | | | offered by CompTIA would also be a good |
| salary for a computer security specialist is | | | | credential to attain. |
| $70,943.00 annually. Unlike many information | | | | |
| technology jobs, outsourcing data integrity | | | | There are of course specific certifications |
| or information security work will likely | | | | which are designed to capitalize on |
| remain ill advised due to the various laws, | | | | technologies provided for by vendors, such as |
| policies and limitations placed on those | | | | Symantec or Cisco Systems. Some degree |
| organizations whose business it is to have | | | | programs may even require or at least provide |
| access to such sensitive information. As a | | | | training specific for these certifications |
| result, job security is expected to remain | | | | which will look great on a resume next to a |
| strong. | | | | degree. So consider this in evaluating |
| | | | potential schools. |
| Education and training will of course remain | | | | |
| vital to this industry. Those who have | | | | Information security is an up and coming |
| attained the proper credentials will not only | | | | profession holding a bright future for those |
| be in the highest demand but also are | | | | working within the information technology |
| expected to see the highest paying jobs. | | | | industry. Due to the specialized skills and |
| | | | training required combined with the increased |
| For those considering earning a degree in | | | | demand for these skilled professionals job |
| information security, the opportunities in | | | | opportunities are expected steadily grow. |
| online education have never been better. | | | | |
| | | | For those potential students who would like |
| If you are considering a degree in | | | | to work with technology and computers, |
| information security, try to begin with the | | | | information security is one specialization |
| end in mind. What level of degree do you wish | | | | that should be strongly considered due to the |
| to attain? An associate's, bachelor's or even | | | | culmination of industry growth, job security |
| a master's degree? | | | | and compensation. |