Is Cyber Security Hard to Learn?

You may think cyber security would be difficult to learn because the field is relatively new, or because it relies on modern technologies. If you’re interested in the information technology industry, it’s likely that while you’re asking, “is cyber security hard?” your inherent eagerness to learn new technologies may be compelling you to find out for yourself.

What education is required to enter the field? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it’s helpful to have a bachelor's degree, as that is typically the minimum requirement for a majority of cyber security positions. Some employers, however, may hire you for certain cyber security-related roles with a Cyber Security Undergraduate Certificate and relevant work experience. The education you need to pursue a career in cyber security or cyber security programming will depend on which career path interests you the most. Online cyber security degree programs like the ones offered here at DeVry University make it easier than ever to take the first step toward earning your degree in this dynamic field.

What is the level of demand for cyber security professionals?

The BLS predicts demand for information security analysts (that’s the occupational category cyber security professionals fall under) to grow 35% through 2031, a rate that is much faster than the average for all occupations. This includes about 19,500 job opening in the category each year, on average, over this period.¹ This growth is projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. This projection is not specific to DeVry University graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers.

The BLS attributes this growth to the following:

To be a cyber security professional, you'll need to develop a wide range of technical skills. It may also help to have a variety of soft skills that can help you perform basic job duties and interact with coworkers. Some of the field-related skills you may need as a cyber security professional are:

The first step in your journey to build a career in cyber security is education. At DeVry, we offer several options for aspiring cyber defenders, depending on your level of industry experience and personal preferences.

Our Undergraduate Certificate in Cyber Security could be a good choice if you work in the technology field and want to expand your knowledge in the cyber security specialty, or if you’re looking to break into the industry for the first time, but feel you can’t take the time required to complete a bachelor’s degree program.

In this program, you’ll learn to protect and defend information systems by understanding cyberthreats, developing countermeasures and designing security processes. You’ll also gain the knowledge and skills to build defense systems to protect applications, systems and networks from hackers.

Our 14-course program can be completed in 1 year and 4 months, or even faster with approved transfer credits,² and prepare you to pursue entry-level roles such as network systems administrator, cyber security specialist, information security analyst and others.

If you’re ready for a more in-depth cyber security program, pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security. At DeVry, our online bachelor’s degree specialization in Cyber Security will help you develop interdisciplinary skills in programming, operating systems, connectivity and security that are essential for today’s IoT economy and prepare you to pursue industry-recognized certifications.

Coursework covers wired, optical and wireless communications, ethical hacking, network security testing, information systems security planning and more. In addition to technical skills, public speaking, principles of economics and other non-technical topics make for a well-rounded education and can help refine your workplace skills.

Graduates of this bachelor’s degree specialization may consider career opportunities like computer systems analyst, security analyst, penetration tester (ethical hacker), vulnerability assessor and more.

Ethical hacking, which is also known more formally as penetration testing, is an important skill in cyber security because it has proven itself as an effective way to test an organization’s data safeguards. Ethical hackers are often called “White Hat” hackers because they are the good guys, mimicking the methods used by malicious hackers to uncover cyber security vulnerabilities. Ethical hacking can be used to test password strength and the validity of protocols, penetration test following application updates or security patches and ensure the privacy of data communication channels.

The curriculum in our online Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Cyber Security includes ethical hacking and can help you discover the methods behind cyberattacks and how to build defenses that protect networks, applications and devices from hackers. 

Industry-recognized certifications in cyber security are intended to validate your skills and may be required by employers looking to hire IT professionals in various cyber security roles. Depending on the program you choose, our cyber security certificate and degree programs may help you prepare to pursue a cyber security certification path that may include entry and intermediate-level credentials like:

Once you’ve established yourself as a cyber security beginner, continued success may depend on your ability to adopt a mindset of lifelong learning as you continue to polish your cyber security skills. Here are a few reasons why: