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

Many people are now considering an online cyber security program for their graduate degree in cyber security, and California has plenty of options available for prospective students. 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.

Here is a list of California cyber security degrees that are from NSA CAE Designated Institutions:

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
California State University San Marcos
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, San Bernardino
City College of San Francisco 2 Year Cyber Security Program
Coastline Community College 2 Year Cyber Security Program
Cypress College 2 Year Cyber Security Program
Long Beach City College 2 Year Cyber Security Program

Click to jump to the full list of California cyber security schools.

NSA CAE Designated Institutions for Cyber Security in California

In order to be assured that students are receiving quality education to become a top cyber security 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 cyber security education.

Online Cyber Security Programs in California

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 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.

Master's in Cyber Security Degrees in California

Pursuing a higher-level program, such as a Master's degree, in cyber security 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.

Typical Entry Requirements

Other typical submission requirements are the online application form with fee, official transcripts from an accredited institution, a statement of purpose that describes career goals, an updated resume, and at least a few letters of recommendation. Statements of purpose can also be required essays that detail accomplishments and what they hope to gain from pursuing the program. There may be a requirement to meet with a faculty advisor for a interview before admittance.

Recap

There are 14 institutions that are designated with CAE certification in their cyber security programs. Master's degrees and related higher education options can be found in eight of those schools, including California State University in San Bernardino, National University at La Jolla, Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, University of California in Davis, and the University of Southern California.

Getting Started Working in Cyber Security in California

Obtaining a cyber security 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 cyber security efforts.

• Undergraduate Degrees:
  There are numerous cyber security programs at California State University – San Bernardino (CSUSB). 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.

  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.

• Masters and Continuing Education:
  A popular online opportunity is the Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering through the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. This is a program that is geared toward students interested in a career path in computer engineering, information security, and network administration. There is an option for limited status enrollment, which requires a Bachelor’s degree in the engineering field and a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students are able to complete the entire program online or they can opt into on-campus lectures as the curricula are identical. All faculty and classroom features are the same for on-campus and online students.

  Originally, CSUSB began their cyber security education by implementing a concentration within their Master of Business Administration program. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, personal statement, updated resume, two letters of recommendation, and a business aptitude requirement are all needed to get into the program. The business aptitude requirement can be a higher GPA from an AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) program, two years of professional experience, other graduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, or satisfactory results from GMAT or GRE exams. The Master of Public Administration also has a Cybersecurity concentration.

  Also at CSUSB, there is a unique program, the Master of Science in National Security Studies. This involves a curriculum that is geared toward a career in the United States Intelligence Community, like the NSA and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Admission is divided up into three terms, 10 weeks within the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Within the program, there is a Certificate in Intelligence Methodology that has some of the following required courses: National Security Policy, Strategic Intelligence, and electives in Crime and Intelligence Analysis, Digital Image Processing, and Operations Analysis.

Cyber Security Employment Options

There are many cyber security 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.

California Cyber Security Careers

According to CompTIA, the largest sector of tech occupations is among software and web developers in California, with cyber security 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 cyber security, 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.

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 cyber security 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.