Master’s in Cyber Security Degrees in Texas

Due to the complicated nature of information technology and network security, it is recommended that those who are looking to get into engineering or managerial roles should consider a Master’s program. This provides the education needed to advance along in a specific career, or make the switch into cyber security for those working in a different segment of the IT sector. In order to gain entry into a Master’s program, students will typically need to have an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 cumulative GPA, prior coursework in computer science and mathematics, and they will need to submit official transcripts, an updated resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement declaring why they are pursuing this degree.

At the College of Technology through the University of Houston, graduates can receive a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. Designated by the CAE since 2007, this program has long established their reliability in cyber security education. They offer advanced training with experienced professionals, hands-on experiences when working with real-world data, and keeping up with the latest innovations. 30 total hours are needed to complete the program, and example courses include Introduction to Information System Security, Cyber Policy and Information Governance, and Secure Enterprise Computing.

Getting Started Working in Cyber Security in Texas

There are a wide variety of ways to receive higher education in cyber security regardless of prior knowledge. Those new in the information technology sector can look at associate degrees and certifications that have less stringent requirements. Texas also has many cities that provide plenty of job opportunities.

• Undergraduate Degrees:
  The University of Texas at San Antonio has one of the 20 programs in the country that has been designated as a CAE in Cyber Operations. The Department of Computer Science has a specific concentration in Cyber Operations within the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Example courses within the Cyber Operations track includes Cryptography, Cellular and Mobile Technologies, Distributed and Cloud Systems Security, and Secure Software Development and Analysis. The total computer science curriculum will cover all the basics in cyber security, so no prior programming is necessary.

  One of the community colleges designated by the CAE is El Paso Community College, who offers the Associate of Applied Science in Cyber Security. There is both a full-time and part-time option available for students that may consider working professionally while taking the program. Part-time students will need five years to complete the 60-credit curriculum, but not only will they complete a degree from an accredited university, they will also receive a certification as a Computer Support Technician.

• Masters and Continuing Education:
  The Satish and Yasmin Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. Topics that are covered in the curriculum include data management, penetration testing, and digital forensics, and this will also prepare students for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam. This program is available either fully online, on-campus, or there can be a hybrid of the two courses, and it can be finished within one to two years.

  Southern Methodist University also offers a fully online Master’s degree in Cybersecurity with an ability to interact with the faculty directly and to participate in live classes that have just 15 students on average. The program can be completed in less than two years and will cover the latest innovations in the industry along with typical subjects, like risk analysis, network security, and legal and ethical issues. There are three different start times when students are administered each year.

• Cyber Security Employment Options:
  Deloitte, CDW, and GM Financial are examples of companies that have entry-level positions available in cities like Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. A cyber security analyst at GM Financial gathers information and uses risk management when making decisions on how to improve the organization’s security efforts and gives reports and presentations to higher-level management. Bank of America has a supply chain tech risk specialist that evaluates the protection of data within the supply chain and the cloud.

Texas Cyber Security Careers

With Texas gaining numerous major tech companies, there are many opportunities in the cyber security sector. It is the third-fastest growing state in terms of tech jobs being created according to CompTIA, and specifically within information security analyst positions, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics lists over 8,500 workers. The average salary for these employees sits at over $104,000 annually and an hourly wage of just over $50.

Texas Cyber Security and Tech Employers and Organizations

AT&T is headquartered at Whitacre Tower in Dallas, but much of their cyber security staff is spread out across the world. There are regional managers located in Texas and there are government-related opportunities in San Antonio. Dell is another company that holds its headquarters in Texas with many cyber security opportunities in Round Rock and Austin. An information security officer at Dell is responsible for gathering information and working with stakeholders in order to improve security efforts, leads daily tasks such as finding vulnerabilities and implementing new innovations, and tracking metrics from the network security.