Arizona has eight different universities and colleges with 10 different cybersecurity degrees that have been recognized as National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE).

NSA CAE Designated Institutions for Cyber Security in Arizona

The programs offered by these schools showcase the advanced curriculum that follows strict cybersecurity guidelines set by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Schools can be found in cities such as Tempe, Phoenix, and Glendale, as well as numerous opportunities in the cybersecurity industry regardless of professional experience.

Here is a list of Arizona cybersecurity degrees that are from NSA CAE Designated Institutions:

Arizona State University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Campus
Estrella Mountain Community College
Glendale Community College
Grand Canyon University
The University of Arizona
University of Advancing Technology

Click to jump to the full list of Arizona cybersecurity schools.

Online Cyber Security Programs in Arizona

Many programs are available online in the state of Arizona for further convenience in completing a degree.

For those looking at undergraduate programs, Arizona State University has an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Networking and Computer Security.

Each class takes a little over seven weeks to complete, and there are 40 total courses needed to complete the program, or 120 total credit hours. In order to get into the program, prospective students will need to have a specific amount of education completed in high school and finish school in the top quarter of their class, have at least a 3.0 GPA in competency courses, SAT score of 1120, or an ACT score of 22.

The neighboring major public university that offers an online program is the University of Arizona Enterprise Security Certificate from the Eller College of Management.

Each course takes eight weeks to complete, with two courses taken each full semester, meaning it will take around six months to complete the full program. Courses that are taken to gain the certificate are Information Security in the Public and Private Sectors, Information Security Risk Management, and Systems Security Management. This program quickly helps students gain new skills and techniques for their next job.

Master's in Cyber Security Degrees in Arizona

The University of Arizona also has two Master's programs that are available online for maximum convenience and flexibility for students. First is the Master's degree in Cybersecurity that requires 33 credit hours to complete, and there is an option to complete a concentration in Information Systems or Physical Systems.

Students will gain the skills of preventing and managing security attacks, conduct forensic testing and determine which areas are vulnerable to future threats, and utilizing data analytics to gain an advantage over attackers. The core courses and information systems tracks takes eight weeks to complete each course, and the Physical Systems courses take 16 weeks each.

Another option is completing a Master’s degree in Management Information Systems through the Eller College of Management, and there is a concentration in Security and Information Assurance.

Courses in this specialization include Information Security in Public and Private Sectors; Information Security, Risk Management, and Disaster Recovery; Systems Security Management; and Introduction to Enterprise Computing Environments. The first three courses are available in both fall and spring semesters with the latter only offered in the fall. The University of Arizona utilizes the Desire to Learn (D2L) course management system for their online programs.

Getting Started Working in Cyber Security in Arizona

Regardless of current experience, any student should be able to take a program within cybersecurity and secure a future career. There are multiple associates and Bachelor’s degrees, not to mention higher-level Master’s programs with options to complete courses in the evening or online for working professionals. Phoenix and Tucson are spotlight areas not only for education, but for job opportunities and various conferences and events that are related to cybersecurity and information technology.

• Undergraduate Degrees:
  Estrella Mountain Community College has a few options for cybersecurity education programs. A full-time program is the Associate in Applied Science with an area of emphasis in IT and Power Systems Security. This requires 62 to 64 credits to complete and all courses must have a C grade or better in order to graduate. Before entering the program, students will need to have prior coursework in an overview of Computer Information Systems, and critical reading or critical thinking. Examples of required courses are an introduction to Cisco networks, Ethics in Information Technology, and learning the Linux Operating System. There are tracks to complete this degree: Power Systems IT Security, Network Security, Systems Security in Linux, and Systems Security in Microsoft.

  The Certificate of Completion in IT Security Associate is a shorter program that requires 25 credits and is a truncated version of the AAS degree. Many of the required courses are the same, but it will be an overview of all operating systems and networks that Estrella Mountain offers. The certification will show employers that the graduate has competency in network security, and it can also be used to pursue a higher education program in the future.

• Masters and Continuing Education:
  The University of Advancing Technology has a unique pathway for their Master’s degrees. Students have the ability to customize their program by selecting four models that will impact the curriculum. For example, courses can consist of Cyber Security and Cyber Organization, and students can select modules such as Data Cloud Artificial Intelligence, Game Development, Innovation Startup, or Blockchain. Whatever they choose, this will create their customized Master of Science in Cyber Security. There is also a SyncFlex feature for the college that offers plenty of flexibility to schedule classes, giving students the ability to take any class in any style on any day.

  Grand Canyon University has a Master of Science in Cybersecurity that can be completed online. There are 34 credit hours required to complete the degree and each course takes eight weeks to complete. Up to 12 credits can be utilized when transferring to the school. Examples of courses students take include Enterprise Security Infrastructure Design, Policy Management for Security Solutions, and Penetration Testing and Risk Management. Students that complete the degree have gone on to take executive jobs like a corporate information security officer and director of security.

• Cyber Security Employment Options:
  Phoenix, Tempe, and Tucson are some of the top cities that have cybersecurity jobs with positions available at Wells Fargo, Deloitte, and Raytheon. At Wells Fargo, they have various levels of information security analysts, managers, and engineers constantly available. An engineer for cloud security will create and maintain information that is stored and moved virtually through the cloud. Workers will need IT security experience and the knowledge of working with cloud software.

Arizona Cyber Security Careers

For information security analysts in the state of Arizona, they make around $93,960 for average yearly salary with over 2,500 positions according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Phoenix provides some of the best opportunities for various levels cybersecurity professionals, and there are jobs at Wells Fargo, electrical utility Salt River Project, and computer hardware company Intel.

Top Cyber Security and Tech Employers and Organizations

The Cyber Security Canyon is a coalition that focuses on the development of the industry in the state, creating the best talent and keeping them in their companies and government agencies. Their goal is to showcase the best aspects of living in the state of Arizona while working in a cybersecurity career. They work to promote the best opportunities, various educational programs, and conferences and events that take place in the state.