California Cybersecurity Degree Programs

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California Cybersecurity Degrees Overview

There are over a dozen different schools with a cybersecurity degree in California, including online Master's in Cyber Security programs at universities such as the University of California Berkeley.

Are there online cybersecurity degrees in California?

Yes, there are online cybersecurity degrees programs at California universities, at multiple levels. Many people are now considering an online cybersecurity program in particular for their graduate degree in cybersecurity, and California has plenty of options. The online Masters in Cybersecurity degree is the most popular offered in an entirely online format.

Jump to list of campus and online California cybersecurity degrees.

Are there NSA CAE designated cyber security degrees in California?

Yes. Here is a list of California universities that are NSA CAE Designated Institutions and have a cybersecurity degree.

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
California State University - San Bernardino
City College of San Francisco
Coastline Community College
Cypress College
Long Beach City College
Naval Postgraduate School
Ohlone College

Why consider NSA CAE Designated Institutions for cyber security in California?

In order to be assured that students are receiving quality education to become a top cybersecurity professional, it is important to look for universities and programs that are recognized by the National Centers of Academic Excellence. This is a joint accreditation partnership between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA).

Designations are divided up into the following designations: cyber defense for undergraduate and graduate programs, cyber defense for associate degrees and certifications, cyber defense research, and cyber operations. All schools must reapply for this recognition every five years in order to establish the program's proficiency in cybersecurity education.

In Depth Review of the Best Online Master's in Cyber Security Degrees in California, Updated for 2023

University of California - Berkeley - Online Master of Information and Cybersecurity

The University of California-Berkeley has an online Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS). Students will have a strong understanding in national security, cryptography, legal and ethical issues within security, and engineering a secure network. The curriculum consists of nine courses that can be completed in 20 months. There is a required on-campus residency or at a related location approved by the program. The course management system is through the I School, and it offers on-demand coursework access around the clock, personal coaching, and continuously updated educational resources after graduation.

University of Southern California Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering

This cyber security engineering degree focus supports students looking to move on after graduation and obtain a doctorate with a concentration in information security. Admission application submission includes transcripts, a resume, and a personal statement. Students should review each university for details on admission and any English requirements. There are a total of 28 units to graduate and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Tuition is affordable and the same whether a student chooses the classroom experience or the online platform option.

Coursework is designed to offer the fundamentals of developing, engineering, and the operation of securing information systems. Students learn how workplace policy drives technical decision making and it is showcased in this graduate program. Hands-on real-world case studies are designed by industry professionals with backgrounds as information security practitioners. It is a specialized degree for students looking to lead a team that designs the computer network operation for security. Challenging content and topics on cybersecurity are taught along with the skill set needed to secure networks using tools like cryptography and key management.

Coursework Highlights

• Foundations and Policy for Information Security: Policy and procedure drive the level of cyber threat risk for any business. Students learn both the technical and procedural keys to threat mitigation. Discussion on the development of risk management tools and implementation procedures across all departments are a foundational approach taught and used to minimize cyber crime.
• Computer Systems Assurance: Everyone expects the computer they use to work all the time. Students learn that effective computer systems are designed and managed by highly skilled IT professionals. This course highlights how to design and maintain secure and smooth performing systems even in the threat of cyber risk.
• Cryptography: The course is all about cryptography. Past, present, and how future threats will be mitigated with these tools.
• Computer Forensics: To mitigate the threat and take legal action against a criminal information forensics is compiled to better understand the threat challenge. Preservation of information during extraction is critical to secure documentation that can be identified and eventually used to mitigate any future disasters and put away cyber criminals.

California State Polytechnic University - Ponoma Masters of Science in Information Security

Computer system security is at the forefront of all cybersecurity degrees. This Master's degree program is specialized for professionals looking to pursue careers in computer forensics, auditing, and information security. The coursework is for a 2-year program and is classroom oriented. Live classroom attendance is required one night per week. The admissions is general, so prepare a resume, and personal statement, and preferably students will have an undergraduate degree in Information Systems or a related field. International students should review English and other general requirements for application submission. The coursework is technical in nature, so students may need to take additional undergraduate courses if the experience is lacking. There are 10 courses in the program and 1 comprehensive exam. The program falls under the College of Business Administration. A unique option in this graduate study is the ability to take a course more than once and receive additional credit for the same course. It is a confirmation that the cyber arena is advancing rapidly.

Coursework Highlights

• Privacy and Security Risk Management: The data life cycle and data consumption are mind-boggling to most consumers. Participating students learn how the privacy of information is managed in the regulatory environment. The legal constraints of data privacy are taught, plus how graduate students' new skill sets will drive the development and management of privacy needs for future business.
• Managing Cloud Infrastructure: Topics and content involve the changing cloud environment. Virtualization, deployment and delivery model security issues, and the management of governance issues in the cloud. An ongoing and ever-changing environment as technology advances.
• Advanced Computer Forensics: Forensics and the detailed investigation into the origin of data loss are key to all cybersecurity. Learning the process of recovery, stenography and network forensics are all topics of discussion in this course.

University of California - Irvine Online Information Systems Security

Another online option is completing a certification from the University of California-Irvine. They offer an Information Systems Security certificate that can be completed in as little as nine months if the courses are available - options will change in each of the four quarters. This program is for already-established professionals that need to gain specific certification to change or advance in their career. Required courses in the program include an Introduction to Cyber Security, Secure Systems, and Security Architecture and Design. Graduates from this program will be prepared for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional exam.

UC Irvine also has a cybersecurity certificate and boot camp

The cybersecurity threat continues evolving and UC-Irvine undergraduate curriculum continues to be re-evaluated and upgraded to include the most current cybersecurity resources and coursework in the state. Each set of curricula achieve the goals for both beginners joining the fight against cyber-crime and experienced IT professionals looking for a specific set of knowledge and skills. Professionals working in software development that require certifications like a Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) certification find the course work supports testing preparation for the CISSP. The tuition for both programs are affordable. Both have accelerated formats. The certificate can be completed within 9-15 months and just 24 weeks to graduate from the Cybersecurity Boot Camp. The Boot Camp is a part-time multidisciplinary approach to cyber security and is an intense concentrated program. Graduating students gain knowledge on working with internet or application service providers (ISP or ASP), system integrators, or security auditors and should achieve a skill level for future employment within the cyber arena.

Students develop a set of best practices for cybersecurity that can be transferred to the workplace for real-world application against cyber-crime. Risk management, cryptography, vulnerability assessment as well as ethical hacking techniques round out the courses in Cybersecurity Boot Camp. Admissions to the program are easily attainable by anyone.

Certificate Coursework Highlights

• Security Architecture and Design: A favorite student course where the fundamentals of security models and enterprise architecture lead to deep learning about critical issues in network security, firewalls, and wireless protocols.
• Computer Forensics: A course where students gain a solid foundation in theory and practice on response to cyber crisis events, data loss, and the legal process including documentation necessary to identify and stop cyber-crime. The technical aspects of cyber-crime are taught through a variety of industry software.

Boot Camp Course Highlights

• Security Fundamentals: Learn to think like a cybersecurity professional by assessing threats and mitigating risks brought about by cyber-crime and professional system hacking. Risk analysis in the workplace is key to implementing and managing security tools by matching threat to risk while meeting company budgets.
• Defense and Offense Modules: Network security is explored as company responses to data loss and cyber attacks are covered defensively. Offensive strategy becomes a technical cat-and-mouse game with students learning new software to minimize threats, learning about Penetration Testing Execution Standards, and a host of other cybersecurity tools that may pre-empt a cyber strike.

California State University - San Bernardino (CSUSB) Online Master's of Science in Cybersecurity and Analytics

Data can be a friend or foe in this complicated cyber arena. When a loss of data occurs, the industry needs highly skilled professionals to mediate cyber crime, hacking events, or even staff error that caused a cyber event. CSUSB has a concentrated Master's of Science degree in Cybersecurity and Analytics and is available online for graduate students. Network security courses are continue foundations learned in under graduate courses on protecting data from loss. Risk assessment and management can change weekly. Topics and content in these areas are a focus of the Master's program. Six hours of coursework continue to assess current issues and discuss new cyber threats. New cybersecurity tools are being created which lead to intensive interactive classroom training while managing the threat of continued cyber disruption on business. As the threat of electronically generated data increases, so does the need for visual and fundamental data analytic techniques. Students can become proficient in data analytics.

Admissions are similar to other Master's programs with undergraduate completion requirements; necessary transcripts; a personal statement, a resume, and letters of recommendation. English proficiency is required and a business aptitude requirement must be met. The program requires a 30 semester hours minimum to graduate including 21 at CSUSB and the hours must be at an advanced level coursework schedule. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for graduation is necessary. The university has been designated both a CAE-CD and CAE-C.

Coursework Highlights

• Cyber Analytics and Visualization: Electronic-generated data continues to change as technology advances. Visual and fundamental data analytics techniques are taught. Topics include data visualization tools and analytic techniques for malware detection and analysis.
• Law and Policy: The legal system is complicated and so is the legal right to access data even when legally justified. Classroom projects outline the legal and regulatory environment where compliance issues are critical documentation for legal liability and defense.
• Network Security 1 and 2: There is an ongoing threat against our computer systems and networks in general. Students develop a deep understanding through case studies on network attacks; network authentication; cryptographic network protocols and the consequences of failure.
• Capstone Project: The coursework involves an integrative project on the subject matter discussed in classroom content.

Note on Masters in Cybersecurity programs admission requirements

Pursuing a higher-level program, such as a Master's degree, in cybersecurity will have many requirements for admission. Holding an undergraduate degree, typically a Bachelor's degree, with a cumulative 3.0 GPA is at least recommended. Higher scores are especially beneficial in the later years of the program. Prior coursework should be completed in multiple levels of calculus and computer programming. In some cases, entrance exam scores, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), will need to be submitted, or they will be optional and prospective students can use them to enhance their application.

Review of undergraduate cybersecurity degree programs in California

Most online cybersecurity degrees in California are at the Masters level, but there are multiple options for associates and bachelors in cybersecurity degrees.

California State University - San Bernardino online Bachelors program

Within the undergraduate selections, the Bachelors of Science in Information Systems Technology has options within Cybersecurity and Intelligence, and there is a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with an option in Crime Analysis with Proficiency in Cybersecurity. The latter of these options requires 37 credit hours to complete with required courses in Cyber Defense, Computer Forensics, Information Networking and Security, and there is an option to complete an internship.

Coastline College Cybersecurity Center

The Coastline College Cybersecurity Center has a number of associate degrees and certification selections. The Associate of Science in Cybersecurity requires 60 credit units to complete and it aids the graduate in starting their career at an entry-level position. Education will consist of an in-depth look at security within the Windows and Linux operating systems, Python programming, how to protect private information through the internet, and firewall protection. Examples of the Certifications of Accomplishment, which requires up to 12 credit units to complete, include Cybersecurity Fundamentals, IT Foundation, and Penetration Testing.

List of the best cyber security degrees in California

Undergraduate Cybersecurity Degrees

Click to view all online Associate and Bachelor in Cyber Security degrees that are taking applications.

California Graduate Cybersecurity Degrees

Click to view all online Graduate level Cyber Security degrees (Master and Doctorate) that are taking applications.

Getting Started Working in Cyber Security in California

Obtaining a cybersecurity degree in California is important when it comes to beginning a career with competition in the growing industry. There are plenty of NSA-designated programs at various education levels in the state of California, with some universities having programs available online for additional flexibility. Regardless of getting foundational education or pursuing further education to advance or change an established career, there are a large variety of choices in the state where companies are focused on enhancing their cybersecurity efforts.

Courses can be offered in synchronous format, where students can watch lectures remotely and participate in a virtual classroom, or they can watch on-demand videos of recorded lectures from the professor. Coursework can usually be done at any time of the day, and this will either be done at the students’ own pace or they will need to meet weekly deadlines to keep up with the rest of the class. All communication is done through the university’s content management system, with tools such as chat rooms, discussion boards, and instant messaging.

California Cyber Security Careers

According to CompTIA, the largest sector of tech occupations is among software and web developers in California, with cybersecurity analysts coming in second. Nearly 9.4 percent of all workers in the state represent the tech industry, which is over 1.78 million people, and the average salary for tech employees is over $96,200. Much of this opportunity is centered around Silicon Valley and its massive growth with established tech giants and numerous startups. Specific to cybersecurity, the salary range for a typical analyst falls between $77,763 to $108,998, and the higher-paying opportunities are located in places like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Mountain View.

California Cybersecurity Employment Options

There are many cybersecurity positions available in the state’s biggest cities – San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Plenty of opportunities exist at some of the largest tech firms in the world, such as Apple, Facebook, and Cisco. An IT compliance analyst at Cisco works with a performance monitoring solution in order to create a successful governance process. Tasks include training others and providing information to other employees on governance and risk, auditing IT controls, and improve compliance across the IT sector.

Top Cyber Security and Tech Employers and Organizations in California

Simplicit Technologies is an information technology service provider that is located both in the Los Angeles and New York locations. They provide traditional services in this category, managing network security, data backup solutions, and disaster recovery for their clients. Some of the operations within network security includes implementing and maintaining enterprise-level firewalls, blocking out any vulnerable software and blocking viruses and malware that can infiltrate the system, and provides reports on various activities to determine any potential problems in the future. They have partnerships with some of the biggest tech companies in the world, including Microsoft, Google, Cisco, and Trend Micro.

The Cyber Defense Group was created in 2016 in Los Angeles to help create the solution for more cybersecurity consulting options, giving companies the tools and knowledge needed to protect themselves from internet attacks. They work with organizations to determine if they are following the California Consumer Privacy Act and protecting people’s identification and information securely, and if they are meeting General Data Protection Regulation if they have any business with the European Union.