Degree Overview: Master of Science (MS) Degree in Cyber Law & Information Security
Majors Overview July 13, 2015This article talks about Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs in Cyber Law & Information Security and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, and job and wage outlook.
Master of Science (M.S.) Programs in Cyber Law & Information Security
Working professionals in fields such as information security, information technology, and information system auditing would benefit from completing master’s degree programs in information security. Employers who are promoting students after graduation commonly pay or reimburse them for the cost of admission. Some schools offer programs in online formats.
Students gain expertise in the protection of sensitive computer systems from attacks on information system confidentiality, availability, and integrity. Coursework in many programs focuses on the basis of the requirements for Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification. Students become adept at skills in areas such as wireless security, enterprise security, risk management, and computer forensics. Business classes are also included to ensure compatibility between information security goals and overall organizational goals. Legal and cyber law classes are also in the curriculum of some schools focusing on management.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science and have substantial work experience in a related field. Accordingly, schools insist on the submission of a resume and professional letters of recommendation.
Coursework
Program coursework covers professional business practices, in addition to courses in law and policy. Collaborative projects are in the syllabus of many schools. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Computer forensics investigations
•Risk management
•Ethics and information technology
•Managing people and technology
•Enterprise application architecture
•Technical Communications
•Cryptography
•System development theory
•Wireless security measures
Career Choices
Program graduates may seek careers in management and consulting. Additionally, some information security professionals may also choose to combine their master’s degree in information security with a law degree and pursue careers as practicing information security lawyers. Program graduates may choose from possible job options such as:
•Wireless security specialist
•Lawyer
•Security consultant
•Information security manager
•Cyber law
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth rate of 37% has been predicted for information security analysts, web developers and computer network architects (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Over the same period, those choosing to earn law degrees are expected to see a 10% job growth. In May 2012, information security analysts brought in an average annual wage of $86,170 and lawyers made $113,530 per annum, on average (BLS).