A Brief History of the Computer Security Major
Computers have not only become a tool we use in our personal lives, but for many it is a necessity in the work place. With this continual expansion into our lives the needs for system securities are becoming more and more necessary. A degree in computer securities teaches the base knowledge to students required to detect and prevent crimes such as identity theft, illegal network hacking, virus attacks, child pornography, embezzlement, and cyber stalking.
This major helps students learn the protocol for dealing with all the different types of cyber-criminal activity. Students learn the legal requirements and the forensic best practices for collecting, analyzing, investigating, and presenting evidence for use in court. The history of this major will only change or grow depending upon the route computer technology takes. The further technology progresses, the more security systems will be created to counter any attacks that come from those determined to wreak computer technology havoc.
Delving Into the Computer Security Major
A large portion of the computer security degree programs focuses on training students in the procedure they will need to follow and the tools they will need to use to effectively tackle sensitive information. Further training includes learning how to recover and preserve digital evidence such as email, text messages, and graphic images. Some of the skills students’ can anticipate learning will be how to extract digital data without corrupting it, recovering data that had been attempted to be destroyed, and cryptology.
Some of the typical courses you will have are centered on computer security, information technology, firewalls, data communications, disaster recovery, and computer applications. You will have the opportunity to step out of the typical classroom environment and aspire to improve on your own techniques and skills through hands-on training.
The courses you will take today are different than that of past students and even future students. The major is dependent upon all advances in technology, when a new system comes out, previous workings become defunct. This can keep any computer security major on their toes, always looking around the corner for the next device that is created with the intention of stopping any hacker or virus set out to disrupt a network.
Degree Levels:
Associate
This degree is designed for those who have an interest in acquiring training that will serve them well in an entry-level computer security position. You will learn basic skills related to ensuring that both computer systems and networks are safe from viruses as well as hackers.
If employment is not your goal, an associate degree in computer security is great for a student who has an interest in not only computer technology, but information security as well. Through the degree program you will gain an overview of the general principles of computer science and networking, as well as information security.
Bachelor’s
A bachelor’s degree in computer security will give any student the knowledge and understanding needed to allow them to maintain and operate computers. The general objective of this degree is to put you in a situation where you will able to stop the objectives of hackers and viruses.
Students take courses on information technology, computer applications, and many more with the goal of acquiring a strong foundation of knowledge for computer security. This degree will prepare you well for becoming a professional at managing computer systems and ensuring the security of all of the devices you would be working with.
Master’s
When you hold a master’s degree in computer security, any employer is going to know that you are readily prepared to protect and maintain their content from any potential attacks. You will learn how to install software that will monitor an organizations network, picking up any breaches.
Master’s programs go beyond the general knowledge offered by a bachelor’s degree, as they usually have specialty concentrations surrounding the subject of computer security. These could be Internet and e-commerce, wireless and networking, or banking and financial security. Students will gain skills that can aid them when it comes time to evaluating, creating, and installing strong security strategies.
Supplementing Your Computer Security Major
When it comes to maximizing your educational experience, the subject of having a concentration or minor is a frequent topic of conversation. Both offer a student the chance to not only specialize the information they learn, but to venture out and accompany their core coursework with a subject matter that can prove to be beneficiary outside of the general job requirements.
With computer technology, having a strong contingent of security and support is important and in very high demand by organizations that can afford the top systems available.There are some companies that bring in multiple computer security working professions as a way of filling their leadership positions within the information technology departments with those who not only have the essential skills for these jobs, but the additional security frame of mind.
A way to acquire this type of position is by going beyond the basic education of computer security and establishing a strong minor that has relevance to the profession you hope to dive into after graduation. In the case of a concentration, computer security is already a focused subject matter, but it still have multiple paths students can take when they are exploring their education.
You can look primarily at net work security as opposite of the security of computers themselves. Further areas you can direct your attention are with cryptography or information assurance. To know what your limits are, it is a good idea to understand what you are handling is capable of. For computers, this can mean learning how they are put together and what it takes for someone to penetrate a firewall.
Learn More About the Computer Security Major
- Microsoft’s TechNet’s overview of computer security
- Open Courseware from MIT: “Network and Computer Security”
- Journal of Information System Security
The Computer Security Major in the Job Market
Since there are a the wide range of applications available to someone with the skill set of a computer security major, the current job outlook for those looking for employment within the computer securities industry is about average. Job seekers are recommended to search beyond obvious job titles, as other jobs that require a very similar skill set and training can go by a different name within another organization.
With different job titles can come various duties – in some instances you may be asked to devise, orchestrate and carry out the information security for an organization, according to an article on Microsoft’s TechNet. As businesses and governments rely more and more on computer systems to control their information, computer securities professionals have become more heavily relied upon more and more to make certain that data is not lost to make sure it does not end up in the wrong hands, according to an article published on CNN Money.
Some of the other careers a computer security major is eligible for with their degree include computer security architect, computer security systems specialist, computer systems security technologist, and network security specialist. With each, your day-to-day duties are going vary, but the general concept of each profession does not stray too far from the general core education you will acquire from a computer security major.
For instance, as a computer security architect, you will be looked to for assimilating the security systems of an organization and examine them to then come up with any possible ideas for improvements. This position requires you to construct a strong security network system and then apply all necessary applications so you will be able to properly install everything in a calculated manner. Almost all computer security architects work solely for a public organization or a private individual. If you are looking to separate yourself from other job applicants, try to specialize in one area of computer security.
