The digital age has introduced a host of new challenges for businesses and individuals alike. With the proliferation of smartphones, tablets, laptops, apps, and other Internet-connected devices, cybercrime has grown to become a billion-dollar industry. In fact, the cybersecurity market is expected to reach $200 billion by 2021. As network security professionals remain in high demand, there’s never been a better time to invest in an online degree program that can help you stand out from the crowd. In this blog post, we will discuss how network security affects virtually every organization. We’ll also explore what it takes to become a network security specialist and list the top 8 best online degree programs for network security.
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What is Network Security?
Network security is a branch of information security that ensures availability, integrity, and confidentiality of computer networks. online degree programs for network security also ensures that unauthorized or unwanted network access or network services are detected and stopped. Network security has four main aspects: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, and Authentication. Confidentiality ensures that information is accessible only to those authorized to access it. This is achieved by encryption, which allows only authorized users with a decryption key to access the information.
When it comes to integrity, this means that any modifications to the data are detected and logged so appropriate action can be taken. Availability means that the network resources are accessible at all times. This means that the network is protected from harmful events such as outages, cyber-attacks, natural disasters, and maintenance work. Authentication means that users are authorized to access network resources. Authentication protects against network break-ins, modification of data, and denial of service.
Why Network Security is Important
Network security is critical because it protects your data from being stolen, corrupted or misused. This can include things like preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your devices, blocking attempts to modify or delete data, and stopping malicious software from infecting your devices. If you have poor network security, you may be putting your sensitive data at risk and also putting yourself at risk for identity theft.
Online degree programs for network security can also help protect your employees and customers. If they are dealing with a website that isn’t protected by network security, they may be at risk of their information being stolen. Poor network security can also lead to a bad customer experience and lost business.
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How to Become a Network Security Specialist
There are a number of ways to become a network security specialist. The most common way is to work your way up from an entry-level position in information technology (IT) or computer networking. Another option is to get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer information systems, followed by a certification in network security. Becoming a network security specialist can take several years, depending on your education, experience, and certification. The median annual salary for network security specialists was $94,680 as of May 2018.
Top 8 Best Online Degree Programs for Network Security
The following are the top 10 best online degree programs for network security. In order to rank this list, we took into account the reputation of the school, the accreditation, the types of degrees offered, the cost, the availability of financial aid, the number of students who completed the program and their student satisfaction, as well as the average job placement rate. Here are the best online degree programs for networking security: –
1. Pennsylvania State University
Penn State World Campus: Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing job markets, and Penn State’s online Bachelor of Science in Applied Cybersecurity will equip you with the skills you need to get ahead in this field. This program is designed for students with non-IT backgrounds, and it provides plenty of real-world experience through fieldwork in organizations like the FBI, US Army, and local and state government agencies, as well as cybersecurity companies. The degree plan includes a concentration in network security, as well as plenty of elective courses in other areas like programming, risk analysis, and artificial intelligence.
2. The University of Texas at Austin
The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin offers online degree programs for network security which combines business and computer science to give students a unique skill set. The degree program includes an optional concentration in network security, which covers topics like computer architecture, network security, and cybersecurity law. The program also includes an option to earn a certificate in data science, which covers how to use data to solve problems in different industries, such as network security and healthcare.
3. The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama offers an online Bachelor of Science in Networking and Cybersecurity, which prepares students for jobs in both the business and technology sectors. The program focuses on how computer networks function and how they are used in today’s organizations and individuals’ daily lives. The curriculum includes a concentration in network security, as well as courses in topics like computer architecture, operating systems, and information security.
4. The University of Washington
The University of Washington offers an online Network and Cybersecurity degree, which includes a concentration in network security and a minor in computer science. The program focuses on networking concepts and applications in industry domains such as health care, transportation, and energy. The curriculum includes courses in network architecture, network security, and cloud computing, among others.
5. West Virginia University
West Virginia University offers an online Network and Cybersecurity degree that includes a concentration in network security. The program provides an interdisciplinary approach to networking and cybersecurity that integrates business, psychology, and computer science. The curriculum includes courses in topics like network architecture and design, computer security, cybersecurity law, and ethical issues in computing, as well as a selection of electives in other areas, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and programming.
6. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech offers an online Network and Cybersecurity degree, which includes a concentration in network security. The program combines business and engineering concepts to give students a well-rounded background in cybersecurity and networking concepts. The curriculum includes courses in topics like network architecture and design, cryptography, information security, and network security. The degree also allows students to select an option in risk management, which prepares them for jobs in risk assessment and management.
7. The University of Colorado Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder offers an online Network and Cybersecurity degree, which includes a concentration in network security. The program combines computer science concepts with business concepts, giving students a unique skill set. The curriculum includes courses in network architecture and design, computer security, cybersecurity law, and ethical issues in computing, as well as a selection of electives in other areas, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and programming.
8. Northeastern University
Northeastern University offers an online degree programs for network security, which includes a concentration in network security. The program focuses on the skills needed to address the challenges of a networked world. The curriculum includes courses in topics like network architecture and design, computer security, cybersecurity law, and ethical issues in computing, as well as a selection of electives in other areas, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and programming.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we explored what network security is, why it’s important, how to become a network security specialist, and the top 10 best online degree programs for networking security. Network security is critical because it protects your data from being stolen, corrupted or misused. Poor online degree programs for network security can also lead to a bad customer experience and lost business. Network security has four main aspects: confidentiality, integrity, availability, and authentication.
