One may wonder, in today’s climate, whether a cybersecurity degree is actually worth the time, effort and money. In short, yes. A degree in higher education may not be the easiest thing to obtain (although it should be attainable for everyone) but it does give one a leg up in the career world. A Bachelor’s degree is most definitely a requirement for most jobs anywhere, especially ones that are high-powered and rely on a high intellect.

The More Education, the Better

“According to (ISC) 2, the cybersecurity workforce lacks 2.93 million qualified professionals.” This is a hopeful statistic for those looking to make a career within the cybersecurity niche. Rasmussen College recommends a Bachelor’s degree for anyone in pursuit of a cybersecurity career. It not only prepares one for the field but also ensures more job security. “The data reveals that many employers tend to prefer candidates with at least 3 to 5 years of experience.” The only way to gain such experience is to get one’s feet wet immediately. One won’t even have to wait until after graduation as most institutes of higher learning require an internship in order to earn a degree. This is a wonderful opportunity to simultaneously gain knowledge as well as experience.

Job Experience Is Only One Aspect of Developing a Cybersecurity Career

Of course, a quick mind and relevant experience are ideal for developing any career but a solid education is also incredibly important: “The data revealed that 93% of job postings called for candidates with at least a Bachelor’s degree.” With such a degree, one would be qualified for entering the world of cybersecurity professionals. Advanced degrees mean a lot of things: they indicate dedication, patience and a well of knowledge but they are also helpful in getting better paying, more high-powered positions. An advanced college degree can be the difference between a job and a career. “According to a report by Burning Glass Technologies, 84 percent of cybersecurity job postings require at least a Bachelor’s degree, while nearly a quarter require at least a Master’s degree.”

The Future is Bright

With the imminent threat of cybercrime, organizations and businesses are highly interested in reliable protection. Now, more than ever, people are invested in protecting their assets. According to Jose Sierra—associate director of Northeastern’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity Program—“Cybersecurity is one of the hottest fields today” and, surprisingly, “There’s substantial demand for these professionals and a considerable shortage of talent.” Because the future relies on cybersecurity “and today’s workforce and the workforce of the future will be tasked with helping organizations and companies achieve their goals,” it is vital to have at least a four-year degree in higher education.

Try a Cybersecurity Bootcamp as an Alternative

 The statistics don’t lie: most businesses desire employees with impressive educational credentials but don’t forget that learning doesn’t end in the classroom. Cybint offers a Bootcamp where one can “get the skills and land the job.” This is a wonderful alternative to a four-year degree as one can learn practical skills that will put them on the fast track to getting a job in cybersecurity. Cybint’s Bootcamp offers both online and in-the-classroom learning. Consult Cybint for more information regarding this exciting opportunity along with cyber-related statistics and tips on how to not only enter the field of information technology but to thrive as well.