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Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Information Technology Security

Majors Overview September 9, 2014

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in Information Technology Security can help students earn a bachelor’s degree in information security. Computer professionals or first-time students interested in systems security should look into the information security major.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Information Technology Security

Students enrolled in Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Information Technology Security are imparted the skills they would need to analyze operating systems and repairing internal security breaches. They are also taught about ways of detecting and blocking virtual security breaches that could facilitate entry to digital crime or harmful computer viruses.

Students enrolled in some security degree programs are allowed to choose computer systems security or network and wireless systems security as a specialization. Incoming students are not usually required to fulfill any special admissions requirements, but would benefit from having a strong background in math and science.

Coursework

Coursework in Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Information Technology Security is devised to give enrolled students an outline of computer programming, in addition to network installation and maintenance techniques. Core coursework also includes specific security topic areas such as:

•Tactical analysis of security systems
•Creating and adhering to virtual security policies
•Security verification principles and cryptography
•Forensic principles and information security
•Ethics, laws, and the computer industry
•Types of malicious software
•Responding to security breaches

Job and Wage Outlook

A job growth rate of 28% has been predicted for computer systems and network administrators over the 2010 – 2020 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, these professionals banked an average annual wage of $72,560 (BLS).

Certification and Continuing Education Choices

Those that graduate from a bachelor’s degree program in information security may seek continued education by earning a relevant graduate degree, such as a Master of Science (M.S.) in Information Security, or related graduate degrees, such as a Master of Science (M.S.) in Management Information Systems or Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science.

Additionally, obtaining industry security certifications can help computer security professionals enhance their career prospects by showcasing their skills and knowledge in the field to potential employers. A non-network-specific Security+ certification is offered by CompTIA. For instance, the Cisco Certified Network Associate Security certification would be the most appropriate choice for computer security professionals that use Cisco networks.

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