Careers in Information Systems & Cybersecurity

Careers in Information Security and Cybersecurity

Information security and cybersecurity jobs account for nearly 10% of all IT jobs, and the growth rate of information security job postings is twice as fast as for all other IT jobs. Demand for information security talent is outstripping supply. In 2020, Virginia ranked #1 for information security analysts in several geographic categories measured by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational and Wage Statistics, including the following:

  • State with the highest employment level in Information Security Analysts
  • State with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Information Security Analysts
  • Metropolitan area with the highest employment level in Information Security Analysts (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV)

The vast majority of information security jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. In return, information security job salaries offer a significant premium above the overall average for IT jobs.

Our bachelor’s degree major and post-bachelor’s certificate in information security prepare students to be IT specialists and decision makers in information security positions in private and governmental sectors.

Demand by Industry Sector

Leading industries for information security professionals include the following:

  • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises
  • Credit Intermediation and Related Activities
  • Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
  • Insurance Carriers

Industries with the highest shares of information security professionals include:

  • Monetary Authorities (Central bank)
  • Computer Systems Design
  • Data Processing and Hosting
  • Telecommunications
  • Software Publishers

Information Security Roles

Many different positions are available in public and private sectors for information security professionals. Among them are the following:

  • Information Security Officer
  • Information Security Specialist
  • Information Systems Security Analyst
  • Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO)
  • Information Technology Security Analyst (IT Security Analyst)
  • Network Security Analyst
  • Security Analyst
  • Systems Analyst

BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET Online.

Careers in Information Systems

The need to manage, support, and protect massive amounts of information has made the ever-changing information technology field one of the fastest-growing employment categories. Earning your bachelor’s degree in IT Management or Information Security, or your certificate in Information Systems or Information Security, can help prepare for a variety of careers or advancement in several IT job sectors.

Computer and information science

Careers in this sector include programmer/analyst, working with programming languages (such as Java, C#, Objective-C, or C++), the UNIX operating system, or Oracle databases.

Computer networks and security

Prepare for technical certification as a network administrator, network manager, system administrator, or network security analyst. Prepare to work in a technical or technology management role for a business, corporation, government agency, or nonprofit organization.

Computer science

Careers in this sector include computer scientist, software engineer, systems analyst, programmer analyst, or game developer. Prepare to work as an independent consultant for new programming languages or specialized areas of application.

Information Security

Careers in this sector include information systems security professional, senior systems manager, or system administrator responsible for information systems and security of those systems. Review Careers in Information Security for more details.

IT Management

Careers in this sector include systems analyst, information systems manager, or database administrator. Work in a managerial or supervisory role in the integration of information systems in a business environment as a project manager, providing advice and direction.