How to Get a CyberSecurity MBA + Online Options


Thanks to the technological developments of recent years, organizations all over the world have been able to become more efficient and to expand their reach. However, it has also lead to new types of threats. As a result, there is now a demand for experts in the field of cyber security. This is defined as work completed to protect data, networks, and systems in cyberspace and it is a critical element for the world of business. An with the “internet of things” becoming more ingrained in everyday life, the need for cybersecurity is increasing exponentially.

With a Cybersecurity MBA, you will learn how to stop information from being stolen, damaged, or disrupted. Even President Obama stated that cyber security is the greatest threat the country faces today. Almost everything and everybody are now online, from individual people to Fortune 500 companies, and from huge computer systems to fridges. Highly valuable data is now kept online, and this needs to be kept secure at all times.

Why Earn a Cybersecurity MBA?

If you complete a Cybersecurity MBA degree, you will develop the skills and knowledge that are critical to the world today, applied specifically to the management of businesses. Through your skills, you will be able to protect businesses, ensuring they gain a competitive edge in the world today. With this degree, you will be able to significantly advance your career.

Once graduated, you will have advanced knowledge of the evolution and history of cyber intelligence, while at the same time a substantial understanding of cybersecurity protocols, networks, and systems that affect government applications, businesses, privacy, and institutions.

Admission Requirements

Generally speaking, the admission requirements for a Cybersecurity MBA are the same as for any other MBA. Each school sets its own admission requirements, and they tend to be highly competitive, enabling only the best to enter the program. The admission requirements listed by DeVry University Keller School of Business are quite commonly found across other degrees and programs. They are:

• A bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution
• Proof of English and math proficiency
• A GPA of 2.5 minimum
• GMAT/GRE
• TOEFL/IELTS for non-native English speakers
• Prerequisite courses
• Transcripts

Curriculum and Courses

Each school is allowed to set its own curriculum and decide which courses form part of the core of the MBA, and which are added as part of the specialization. It is for this reason that it is so important that you complete a degree from an accredited institution, as this guarantees the school as a whole meets certain expected educational standards. Preferably, you should also choose an accredited program, which guarantees the standards of the program itself. An example of a good Cybersecurity MBA curriculum is provided by Saint Leo University Donald R. Tapia School of Business. Their subjects include:

• Management of information security for government, corporations and other institutions
• Systems security principles, disaster recovery principles and planning, and incident response planning and execution
• Network security management
• Disaster recovery management
• Web security management
• Strategic planning for information security
• Core business management functions
• Oral and written business communication
• Effective team membership and leadership in work partnerships and cross-functional collaborative efforts
• Ethical, economically responsible business decisions in the context of a diverse set of stakeholders
• Business implications of the new economy and applying widely used technologies to management issues
• Professional development
• Managerial economics
• Financial and managerial account
• Marketing
• Human resource management
• Global business management
• Strategic management

Career Outcomes and Job Titles

Once you complete your Cybersecurity MBA, a wealth of different job opportunities will become available to you. Because it is a relatively new field of work, many job titles are still being developed. However, the SANS Institute Cybersecurity Professional Trends survey has reported that the following are the most common job titles:

• Security Engineer
• Security Analyst
• Security Architect
• CISO/CSO
• IT/Security Director
• IT/Security Manager
• Network Architect
• Systems Administrator
• Network Engineer
• Auditor
• Forensics Investigator
• Systems Integrator
• Systems Engineer

Job Salary & Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported an average annual salary of $90,120 per year for all information security analysts as of May 2015 at the bachelor’s degree level. Completing an MBA increases salaries by an average of $15,000 per year, meaning that you can expect to earn a six figure income with this degree. The BLS has projected an 18% growth in demand for these professionals by 2024, which is faster than average.

Scholarships and Grants

Emerging Economy Fellowships at Wharton Business School, which is offered to students wanting to complete an MBA degree at the Wharton Business School.

Point Foundation, which is offered to students from the LGBTQ+ community who have demonstrated community involvement and leadership, have a strong academic record, can demonstrated financial need, and work to improve the LGBTQ community. The scholarship is available for full time students only, and is not available for online students. They must also attend the Point event (expenses paid) in order to receive their scholarship.

Gerald W. McEntee Scholarship, which has been developed in honor of the former President of AFSCME, Jerry McEntee, and awards on AFSCME member $5,000. It is a one time scholarship.

Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship, which is offered to those students who want to use their degree to gain a greater understanding of the negative effects of technology, including technology addiction, a new and emerging element of cyber security as a whole. This scholarship is for those who have a very particular interest in the field of cyber security, therefore, being more for those who want to learn about the effects on people, and less about the effects on businesses and organizations.

You’ve Got a Friend in Pennsylvania Scholarship, which is available to those who are amateur or licensed radio operators and hold American Radio Relay League memberships. They must be residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and complete graded courses in languages, science, and mathematics. They must be full time students and have a 3.5 GPA minimum.

Arizona Council Endowment Scholarship, which was established in November 1991 by the Arizona State Council, and awarded for the first time in 1995. It is available for those who study in Arizona and have a GPA of 3.0 minimum.

Additional Resources

Cyber Security Alliance
Information Systems Security Associations
International Cyber Security Protection Alliance
IEEE
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