Degree Overview: Master of Information Technology Degree in Internet Security
Majors Overview July 11, 2015This article talks about Master of Information Technology degree programs in Internet Security and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master of Information Technology Programs in Internet Security
Students seeking careers in Internet and information security might benefit from enrolling in Master of Information Technology degree programs in Internet Security devised to teach them about keeping data and networks safe from cyber criminals. The focus of master’s degree programs is on risk management and network security.
Students build the skills necessary for standing out and succeeding in the highly competitive and specialized field. The program introduces students to the new and emerging technologies necessary for detecting and preventing various types of cyber crimes. Simultaneously, the student’s programming and computer-related design abilities are also continually developed. Program graduates can pursue potential career options such as security analyst, network security engineer, or Web administrator. Professional certifications may be obtained by qualified graduates through the passage of related exams.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical or computer engineering, or a related field. They must also meet a GPA standard of 3.0, be fluent in C++, and have prior experience with data structures and probability theory. They are also required to submit GRE scores; passage of the TOEFL is compulsory for non-native English speakers.
Coursework
Students typically gain instruction on security protocols and computer networking. Core coursework covers topic areas such as:
•Cryptography
•Embedded systems
•Risk management
•Network security
•Benchmarking
•Packet switching
•Artificial intelligence
•Database security protocols
•eCommerce
•Privacy ethics
Career Choices
Program graduates develop highly specialized skills enabling them to pursue various upper-level jobs. They may choose from possible job options such as:
•Network security engineer
•Internet operations engineer
•Internet and security analyst
•Network administrator
•Web security administrator
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth rate of twelve percent has been predicted for network and computer systems administrators (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The best job prospects are available to administrators who display proficiency in the most up-to-date software and hardware. In 2012, network and computer systems administrators brought in an average annual wage of $72,560.
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates may seek professional certification as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA). The Microsoft Learning program offers these certifications to applicants after the passage of a series of exams in topic areas such as client operating systems, Windows server environments, and server configurations for Internet security. Some program graduates may also choose to pursue Ph.D. programs related to Internet security and information technology offered at some schools.