Cybersecurity ranks among the fastest-growing, most lucrative professions, and technical leaders with advanced business expertise are in high demand. Because organizations constantly expand and improve their digital defenses, they need executive and senior managers in information technology (IT) and cybersecurity to ensure their protective postures align with strategic enterprise goals.
As Fortinet describes the field, “Cybersecurity management focuses on ways to organize security assets, people, and processes, while cybersecurity is a general label for protecting an organization’s digital infrastructure.” As the world becomes ever more closely wired, the gap widens between the supply of dual-expertise leaders and the demand for them.
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) in cybersecurity management is an ideal way to future-proof your career. The online MBA with Cybersecurity Management Certificate program offered by the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), for instance, combines technical and non-technical studies that develop mastery of all aspects of information security.
Why Choose the UIS MBA in Cybersecurity Management Online?
“Online education is here to stay,” Forbes declares, “and it’s incredible to be a part of this revolution and evolution happening in the field.” Remote learning exploded when governments closed everything to try to control the spread of COVID-19. As remote learning has grown, degrees earned online have gained wider acceptance among hiring managers, provided the program meets certain criteria.
One test of an online degree’s respectability is accreditation. The UIS College of Business and Management ranks among the less than 6% of graduate business schools worldwide to earn full AACSB International accreditation.
Moreover, the National Security Agency (NSA) has designated the school as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) and certified it as a Cyber Defense training institution. The NSA awarded the accreditation after determining the curriculum integrates cybersecurity practices across academic disciplines and actively engages students in the challenges facing cybersecurity.
What Do Students Learn in the UIS Online MBA in Cybersecurity Management Program?
The online curriculum includes core MBA courses in subjects such as managerial finance, management accounting, marketing management, business strategy and organizational behavior. The cybersecurity management specialization electives cover the following:
- concepts, models, architectures, protocols, standards and security for digital network design, implementation and management
- technical aspects of information security and non-technical considerations, such as risk management, security planning and disaster recovery
- principles and practices in cybersecurity management related to digital asset protection from attacks, intrusions, malware and data breaches
Graduates are equipped with the advanced leadership and analytical thinking skills needed to develop and deploy preventative techniques rooted in advanced cryptography principles, architecture and operation of cybersecurity protocols and systems.
What Do Students Consider When Choosing an Online Graduate Degree Program?
Flexibility — the ability to earn as you learn — is the primary reason students choose online learning over on-campus courses, according to Statista. Over 40% cited existing work and family commitments for the decision, while 11% attended online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Online learning also provides the opportunity to continue advancing your career while advancing your education. LinkedIn lists these five benefits of studying for a graduate degree:
- Develop specialist knowledge by exploring theoretical and practical aspects of advanced techniques and essential workplace skills.
- Strengthen personal development, such as time management, which is a highly valued workplace skill. Remote education offers the opportunity to learn on your own time, and successful students are masters at budgeting their hours.
- Increase your earning potential, particularly in a high-demand, lucrative field such as cybersecurity management. The S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says the median weekly salary for employees with a master’s is nearly 15% higher than those with a bachelor’s.
- Contribute to the academic community by assisting in research and publishing your work in professional journals.
- Build a professional network of fellow students, mentors and business leaders who can open doors to new opportunities, support concept development and offer practical tools.
Harvard Business School concludes its argument for earning an MBA by saying: “Between the students and alumni you meet, the cases you discuss, club speakers and conferences, and career education programming, the MBA experience will open your eyes to possibilities you didn’t know existed before.” Those seeking these experiences and career opportunities should consider enrolling in the UIS online MBA with Cybersecurity Management Certificate program.
Learn more about the University of Illinois Springfield’s online MBA with Cybersecurity Management Certificate program.
