Best Online Cyber Security Certifications

Online certificate and online degree programs in cybersecurity are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students can pursue online associate, bachelor's, master's, or even doctoral degrees in the field. However, online degree programs are usually much longer than certificate programs, which also means that they cost more money because tuition is usually charged per credit hour. Degree programs in the field at the undergraduate level also typically contain general education courses in addition to cybersecurity-focused courses, unlike a certificate program that usually consists only of cybersecurity-related courses. Certificate programs may also have fewer admissions requirements than a full, online degree program.

Accreditation helps students ensure that they are receiving a quality education. Attending an accredited school enables students to qualify for financial aid and more easily transfer their credits if needed. Graduates from accredited institutions are also commonly preferred by employers.

Accreditation is typically offered at the institution level, but some subject-specific programs may hold an additional level of accreditation. In the case of cybersecurity certificate programs, many of these programs do not have program-level accreditation. However, they are commonly offered by accredited institutions. These schools may hold regional accreditation from groups such as the Higher Learning Commission. Some schools may also have authorization for operation by different state groups, such as the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

As mentioned, cybersecurity is a growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the job outlook for information security analysts was 31% from 2019 to 2029. This job outlook is much faster than the national average (4%) and indicates the growing need for cybersecurity professionals. Therefore, those with a certificate in the field are likely to be able to find jobs in the field and stand out to employers with their unique skill sets. Students may also pursue a certificate in the field based on their interests. Those in cybersecurity typically enjoy working with computers and technology and need to have strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Students may choose a certificate in cybersecurity over a degree in the field to save time and money, as these programs are much shorter. Deciding to pursue an online certificate in the field may come down to a need for flexibility in schedule. These online certificate programs often contain the same courses and learning opportunities as on-campus programs.

There are many different cybersecurity careers available, but the education requirements vary by position. Some students may be more interested to work on the design side of the field and take cybersecurity architect courses or pursue certification training. Those who want to maintain security may pursue a career as a cybersecurity analyst and earn cybersecurity analyst certification. Professional certifications are widely available in the field and students who earn a certificate in cybersecurity will likely qualify for exams such as the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, or the EC Council Certified Network Defender. Some students with a certificate in cybersecurity may work in other information technology (IT) or computer science-related positions and use their skills as needed. A few examples of available careers include:

Web Developer or Digital Designer

Web developers and digital designers may be required to have anything from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree. These professionals usually have an understanding of computer programming, which they use as they develop and maintain websites. They design a website, test the applications, incorporate media, build content, and ensure that the site can handle the required amounts of traffic.

Computer Support Specialist

Computer support specialists may need anything from some postsecondary courses to a bachelor's degree. These specialists could pursue professional certification in different software programs and applications to demonstrate their expertise. Computer support specialists can work as network support specialists and help organizations ensure that their networks are working correctly. These support specialists can also pursue jobs as user support specialists and help train customers in the proper use of a particular product.

Information Security Analyst

For those who earn a certificate in cybersecurity and go on to earn their bachelor's degree, they may work as information security analysts. These professionals need at least a bachelor's degree and some prior work experience related to IT. There are a lot of different professional certifications available for these professionals, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential. Information security analysts are responsible for protecting their organization's computer systems and networks by installing and testing software, developing security policies, and fighting security breaches.

Many undergraduate certificate programs in cybersecurity are specifically designed to allow students to count credits from the program towards a bachelor's degree program. Often, the bachelor's degree is in areas such as cybersecurity, computer information systems, information technology, or information technology and networking. Some longer certificate programs may allow students to count as many as 40 credits towards their bachelor's degree, leaving only 80 credits to complete for their degree. Students may also wonder if earning a master's degree in cybersecurity is worth it or another advanced study in the field. Some positions, such as information security analyst positions, may require or prefer those with a master's degree, depending on the employer.

Online certificate programs in cybersecurity may require between 15 and 40 credits of coursework, but several of these programs require around 18 credits. Typically, students are required to take a handful of cybersecurity- and computer-related courses to further advance their knowledge and skills in the field. Coursework commonly includes projects and the chance to work hands-on with different technologies and tools utilized in the field of cybersecurity. Longer certificate programs may include some technology core courses, cybersecurity courses, and even career preparation courses. Although uncommon, some certificate programs may require general education courses related to the field, such as algebra. A couple of examples of common certificate courses include:

Cybersecurity

Students take at least one course in cybersecurity, which often serves as an introduction to the field and covers main principles and concepts. Students learn about cybersecurity threats and the best strategies for developing policies to combat these attacks. They also gain experience with technologies and methods used to stop these threats. Students may utilize case studies to give students real-world examples.

Digital Forensics

Courses in digital forensics focus on how to investigate security breaches, as well as how to work to prevent these breaches. Students learn how to identify security risks and possible attacks on data and information. These courses also examine various types of digital technologies so students know how to handle different digital evidence.

Online certificate programs in cybersecurity vary in terms of the time to completion. Most commonly, shorter certificate programs that require between 15 and 18 credits of coursework can be completed in 1 year or less. Longer certificate programs that require around 40 credits of coursework may take longer than a year and be completed in about 16 months, which is still shorter than the typical 2 years required to earn an associate degree. While these programs usually do not allow students to transfer in coursework, students can finish their programs faster with accelerated courses (if available) and a heavier course load. Online programs also commonly offer multiple start dates so students can start when it is convenient for them.

Due to the multitude of undergraduate certificate programs available in cybersecurity, students need to carefully consider several different factors when choosing their future program. Students may want to begin by considering their future career and/or education goals. For instance, students who want to begin their career right away may search for online certificate programs that help qualify them for specific professional certifications in the field. Students who are considering further education in the field will want to find a certificate program that allows them to count credits towards a bachelor's degree. Interested students can also consider the specific courses that are offered in different programs to find one that best aligns with their interests and goals.

Other considerations are more general or logistical. Although location does not matter as much for online learning, students may still want to consider the location of a program for any on-campus requirements or events, such as graduation, and/or any tuition discounts, such as in-state tuition rates. Students who are trying to earn their certificate as quickly as possible may want to find shorter certificate programs and/or those that offer accelerated courses. Finally, the total cost of a program may affect students' decisions.

Students interested in earning an online cybersecurity certificate usually need to meet general undergraduate admissions requirements. However, these requirements vary by school. Most commonly, applicants need to be at least 18 years of age (some schools lower this to 17) and hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Students usually have to provide evidence of their high school diploma or transcripts, and those with prior college-level coursework will also need to submit transcripts from any prior institution. Some schools may offer admission waivers for students who meet specific criteria, such as being 18 years or older, having a high school diploma, and have at least 24 credits of college coursework with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students who do not meet these requirements could be required to take additional placement exams, such as the Accuplacer, and meet specific scores. Although not always required, some programs may prefer or expect applicants to have some basic computer skills and experience in information security. Some schools may also include an interview process.

Several different factors must be included when calculating the total cost of earning a cybersecurity certificate. The bulk of this cost is tuition and students need to be careful to examine the different tuition rates and what these rates cover between different schools. Some schools may offer tuition at fixed rates and guarantee tuition rates for the duration of a program, while others do not. Tuition is typically priced per credit hour and may be different for different kinds of students, such as online vs. on-campus or in-state vs. out-of-state students. Another big part of the cost of earning a certificate or degree is the fees. Fees can range from anything like admissions application fees to technology fees. Some online schools may not have any fees, as many times these fees are associated with on-campus amenities.

There are additional costs that students also need to consider. For example, students will likely need to purchase some textbooks and materials. However, some online cybersecurity certificate programs utilize e-books and do not charge students for textbooks. Although they are usually not living on-campus, online students may still want to factor in possible living expenses when calculating the total cost of earning their certificate.

Financial Aid & Scholarship Resources for Online Cybersecurity Certificate Programs

There are several different ways that students can try to cut down the cost of earning their certificate program. In addition to traditional forms of financial aid, students can also look for programs that provide various kinds of discounts. For example, some online cybersecurity certificate programs do not charge students for textbooks, waive admissions application fees, or waive fees altogether. Several schools offer tuition discounts for veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and/or military spouses and dependents. Although certificate students do not qualify for federal aid, they can also explore available grants and scholarships to help cover costs.

Scholarships are often available from colleges and universities, as well as other outside organizations, such as professional organizations in a given field or local businesses. In the case of cybersecurity, many different organizations offer scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students in the field. For instance, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education offers several different scholarships. Students can pursue women in cybersecurity scholarships, minority scholarships, and veterans scholarships. Scholarships typically vary in the amount and the specific eligibility requirements. Some awards are renewable, while others may only be for a set amount of time, such as one semester or one academic year.