Indiana Cybersecurity Degree Programs

Indiana Cybersecurity Degree Programs Overview

A handful of opportunities for accredited cybersecurity education exist in the state of Indiana with four institutions designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE).

Click for more sponsored online cybersecurity degree programs currently taking applications for 2023.

Jump to list of campus and online Indiana cyber security degrees.

Are there NSA CAE designated cyber security degrees in Indiana?

Yes. Here is a list of Indiana universities that are NSA CAE Designated Institutions and have a cyber security degree. Click to jump to the full detailed list of Indiana cybersecurity degree programs.

Indiana University Bloomington
Ivy Tech Community College
Purdue University
Purdue University-Northwest

Why consider NSA CAE designated institutions for cybersecurity in Indiana?

The National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have given designations to universities and colleges that meet high standards for the protection of sensitive information from cyber attacks over the internet and cloud-based networks. Notable universities include Purdue University and Indiana University.

Online Cyber Security Programs in Indiana

Numerous certificates and the Associate of Applied Science can all be completed online through the School of Information Technology at Ivy Tech Community College. Certificates available include Digital Forensics, Network Penetration, and Network Security.

The certification process for Network Penetration includes 27 total credits and preparation for the CompTIA Security+ and A+ certification exams. Example courses taken in the curriculum are Network Protocol Analysis, Ethical Hacking, and Informatics Fundamentals.

As for the AAS in Cyber Security and Information Assurance, the 60-credit curriculum is divided up into 16 hours of general education, 40 hours of technical coursework directly related to the student's future profession, and four hours worth of electives - this includes certification preparation for CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+, and Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) exams.

For those looking to dive into cybersecurity education without much risk, the community college does offer two courses for free that will prepare prospective students - Introduction to Cyber Security and Cybersecurity Essentials.

Master's in Cyber Security Degrees in Indiana

Professionals in the IT industry looking for a career change, or to advance further in cybersecurity, can check out the Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management that is available at Purdue University, with an option to complete the program 100 percent online. There are 60 total credit hours needed to fulfill the curriculum requirement, and each course is six weeks long. With shorter classes, this increases the flexibility in terms of admittance into the program with openings nearly every eight weeks. The university recommends students with a Bachelor's degree in a related field of computer science, they have significant experience with networking technology, and hold solid communication skills.

After taking the program, graduates will have ability to thoroughly analyze statistical data, be able to create cybersecurity policies and help expose and maintain them throughout the organization, and to fully protect sensitive information and develop measures to swiftly respond to incidents. An example of courses students will be taking are Ethical Hacking and Network Defense; Wireless, Mobile, and Cloud Security; and Computer Forensics and Investigations. Students have the ability to try a three-week introductory period before fully committing to the program with just the cost of the application fee.

List of the best cyber security degrees in Indiana

Undergraduate Cybersecurity Degrees

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

Indiana 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 Indiana

Students have plenty of potential to gain a thorough education in cybersecurity in the state of Indiana, and many institutions provide flexibility with online courses. This makes it easier for working professionals to enhance their resume while not needing to commit full-time to a college and cutting back on travel times. For those that prefer the on-campus or hybrid formats, institutions can be found in Bloomington, Hammond, Indianapolis, and West Lafayette.

Undergraduate Degrees in Cybersecurity in Indiana

Purdue University Northwest and the Department of Computer Information Technology and Graphics host a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Technology, and is geared for those looking toward a career in network security administration. Students will gain the skills needed to work as a team to identify problems and come to a solution with effective communication, have a full understanding of ethical and legal issues surrounding the industry, and applying the concepts learned in the curriculum to the organization to give them an advantage.

Indiana University at Bloomington offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Security. Students must complete 120 credit hours with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, and 30 credit hours must be higher-level courses between the 300 and 400 levels. Examples of specialization courses are Security for Networked Systems, System Programming with C and Unix, and an Introduction to Mathematics of Cybersecurity.

Masters in Cybersecurity and Continuing Education in Indiana

Indiana University at Bloomington has multiple Master’s degrees and a graduate certification in cybersecurity for maximum potential in gaining advanced education. The Master of Science in Cybersecurity Risk Management is a unique program that focuses on the many virtual threats that organizations face around the world. It is geared toward top mid-career candidates with average student age at 35 and a 3.3 average undergraduate GPA. The program is a combined effort of three different schools at IU, and students have the potential to pick a concentration in Technology, Business, or Law, or they can simply pursue a broad overview of the curriculum.

The Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity at IU-Bloomington requires 12 credit hours to complete and it takes either one or two semesters to accomplish depending on time allotment. This program can be for graduate students or undergraduates that have completed their degree’s requirements. Students must have a background and prior coursework in the field of computer science as the abbreviated curriculum will dive right into advanced topics. Other requirements to get into the certification program includes completing an online application and submitting a transcript, statement of interest, letter of recommendation, and updated resume.

Indiana Cyber Security Careers

The vast majority of job opportunities in the state of Indiana are located in Indianapolis with opportunities at CDW, Raytheon, Accenture, and Crowe. At CDW, an associate consulting engineer with network security will develop a strong architecture and configures the network with Cisco technology. Typical qualifications for this position is having a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering with at least three years of experience with network technology and active certifications.

According to CompTIA, the state of Indiana is around the median in terms of employment in the technology sector, sitting at around 185,000 workers. Information technology and custom software services have seen significant growth, jumping up at 3.2 percent year-over-year. In general, information security analysts make just over $80,000 as the state’s mean salary for the position based on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Top Cyber Security and Tech Employers and Organizations

The Purdue University Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS) holds an annual Information Security Symposium brings together school faculty members and top experts in the industry deliver speeches and discussions on their experiences and the latest innovations when it comes to protecting our networks (prevention methods, end system security, ethics and law, etc.). Students also present various computer science research projects. Admission to the symposium is free, and it provides networking opportunities for eventual graduates.