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.