How to Get a Master's Degree in Network Security

Networking has made information access and sharing easier than ever before, allowing users to instantly transmit data among a vast interconnected web of devices--computers, laptops, and phones. But accessibility comes with a price: networking, especially over wireless networks, exposes data to corruption or theft.

Network security experts focus on creating a safe environment for data transmission. A master's degree in network security lends the credential and expertise to lead the quest for secure networks. Earn a master's degree online or on campus, and put yourself on the path to new career opportunities in IT security.

WorldWideLearn.com sets you up for a successful journey through the master's degree program in network security. Arrive in the graduate classroom with a clear sense of purpose, and you'll have no trouble identifying the resources you need to achieve your professional goals.

Guide to Master's Degrees in Network Security

Network security is one of several IT security specialties, along with systems and information security. While systems security specialists secure an organization's internal infrastructure, networking experts focus on data communications across the company LAN, the internet, and wireless networks. With more and more users accessing confidential company networks from abroad, organizations are redefining the scope of their secure 'internal' network to include wireless connectivity. Network security specialists make universal connectivity possible by implementing secure networking policies and procedures, installing gatekeeping applications to maintain private networks, and confronting security breaches.

Professional and Academic Master's Degrees

Graduate network security degrees are designed to fit the needs of both continuing undergraduates and returning career professionals. The diversity of master's degree formats available today reflects this diversity in professional goals--you can earn a master's degree online or on campus, in the context of an academic research lab, an applied internship, or your own work environment. Choose among these degree options:

Master of Science in Network Security

The MS in network security may resemble an academic science master's degree, emphasizing advanced coursework and an in-depth research project or thesis. Or it may target professional competency development, replacing the research component with an applied industry internship.

Master of Network Security of Information Security

This professional master's degree takes the applied MS format a step further to accommodate mid-career IT security professionals with specific educational needs. While the MS abides by a standard advanced curriculum, professional master's students may select the specific elective courses that suit their immediate professional goals.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in network security

The MBA in network security is designed for practicing IT security specialists who want to advance into management or strategic business roles. The MBA curriculum builds a foundation of business skills and culminates in a capstone applying these principles to network security management.

Network Security Specializations

Specialization is a feature of any graduate network security program you choose. You'll build specialized expertise through elective coursework, research, or applied projects.

Specialized areas in network security include:

Functional specializations:

• Network Security Configuration
• Network Security Engineering
• Protocols for Network Security
• Security Policies and Procedures
• Network Analysis
• Regulation, Compliance, and IT Audit
• Security Management
• Network Forensics and Mobile Forensics
• Database and Distributed Systems Security

Network security technologies:

• Virtual Private Networks
• Vulnerability Assessment Tools
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
• Firewalls
• Network Access Control (NAC)
• Secure Network Software

Applied specializations:

• Design and Management of Telecommunications Networks
• Network Security for e-Commerce
• Enterprise Network Security

Each master's degree program features a different selection of specialization opportunities, based on the expertise of resident faculty, lab resources, and industry alliances. If you have a specific area of interest, make this specialization a priority in your program search.

Career Track

A master's degree in network security catapults you out of the ranks of security administrators and into leadership and specialized consulting roles. Common job titles for graduate-level network security experts include:

• Network security analyst
• Network architect
• IT security manager
• Network manager
• Project manager
• Network systems engineer
• Federal network security policy analyst

Alternatively, MS degree holders can pursue an academic career path by continuing on to the PhD in network security or a related field such as computer science. The doctorate qualifies you for academic research and teaching positions, where you can shape the next generation of network security technology.

Career Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor ranks network analysts and security administrators among the top fastest-growing occupations in the nation. Network analysts and architects are the number-one highest-demand occupational group, with an expected 53 percent increase in jobs from 2008 to 2018. The Bureau of Labor Statistics report explains: "The growing reliance on wireless networks will results in a need for many more of these workers." Specifically, "workers with a knowledge of information security" will be in demand, "as computer networks transmit an increasing amount of sensitive data." With data sharing shifting to more open and less regulated public networks, network security specialists will need to develop more sophisticated security procedures and technologies.

Plan for a Master's Degree in Network Security

A graduate degree in network security exposes you to an array of professional development opportunities. To tap the opportunities that align best with your career trajectory, it helps to have a game plan in place when you start the program. The following steps help you choose the right program, submit a competitive application, and establish yourself as a network security scholar.

Step One: Find the Right Graduate Network Security Program

Research master's degree programs in network security to find the best match with your interests--and the best value for your tuition dollar.

1. List Accredited Programs

Take a broad view of your program options to begin. The only absolute benchmark at this stage is program accreditation. Accreditation is a baseline measure of program quality and adherence to industry-accepted standards. The value of your master's degree as an employment credential depends on accreditation status, to say nothing of your experience as a student. Financial aid programs are also generally restricted to students attending accredited schools. The U.S. Department of Education website posts a searchable database of approved accreditation agencies.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com represents only accredited institutions and programs. Search Degrees by Subject for campus and online master's degrees in network security.

Accreditation agencies also publish directories of members in good standing.

• ABET's Computer Science Accreditation Board (CSAB) is a major accreditor of Master of Science degrees in network security. Search ABET-accredited programs in "information systems" and "information technology" for a network security program.
• AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) is the primary accreditation agency for business schools. Search the directory for MBA degrees with an information security concentration.

2. Choose Program Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree?

Digital graduate education has made it possible to earn a master's degree online or through a hybrid program, combining online courses with temporary campus residencies. Choose your program format preference based on:

• Life circumstances. Convenience is a key allure of the online format, which allows students to log in to the virtual classroom via any internet-connected device. The asynchronous lecture and discussion boards also allow students to determine their own course schedule, working around job and family obligations.
• Career goals. Some professionals prefer the networking opportunities of the digital format, which tends to attract a more diverse and more experienced student body. Campus degrees, however, offer the networking advantage of face-to-face interaction and collaboration. If you are targeting an academic career path, these and other campus advantages (such as teaching opportunities) argues for a campus master's degree.
• Access to computer facilities. A key advantage of the campus format is access to advanced computing labs. If you don't have access to network facilities through an employer, consider a campus-based or hybrid program.
• Learning style. Some learners prefer the reflective, independent style of asynchronous online learning. Others need the in-person interaction and hands-on training of a campus classroom.

Hybrid programs and internships bridge the gap between campus and online learning modalities. For the best of both worlds, look for programs with flexible formats.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com lays out your online degree and campus education options, with links to programs in each mode. To narrow your search by geographical area, use the Degrees by Location tool.

3. Explore Academic Programs

The real work of your program research begins here, as you explore the unique landscape of academic resources at each school. Features to look for include:

• Curriculum
• Specializations
• Degree Format and Requirements
• Faculty Publications and Industry Experience
• Technology Labs and Computing Facilities
• Industry Relationships and Internships
• Student Support Services
• Learning Environment

Clarify your academic and professional priorities as you research schools. Are you looking for a program to pursue a particular specialization interest? If so, faculty and elective courses may top your list. Are you using the degree to secure a job in network security? If so, pay particular attention to the school's employer relationships, recruiting, and career services. Continuing undergraduates may value features such as faculty mentorship, state-of-the-art computing facilities, and a supportive learning environment.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com accelerates the initial stage of your program research by putting you in touch with representatives of schools that match your particular program criteria. Fill out an information form, and the system will connect you with appropriate graduate network security programs.

School Web sites feature most of the information listed above. Look for degree requirements, course descriptions, industry-sponsored programs, faculty biographies, and descriptions of student services. Some sites also link to faculty publications, lab websites, and the graduate student handbook.

Informational interviews offer the clearest insight into available academic. Meet with faculty, alumni, and current graduate students to develop a sense of the academic experience and the value of the degree on the job market. If possible, visit the school's campus--even if you plan to earn a master's degree online, face time with faculty, students, and administrators can help you decide whether the program is right for you.

4. Evaluate Program Quality

Finally, rank your program finalists based on your judgment of the degree's value. Assess the quality and value of the network security master's degree by considering:

• Reputation
• Selectivity
• Career placement
• Student demographics

Aim for five or six programs that offer the best value given your own academic credentials. This means balancing factors such as reputation with admissions selectivity. Admissions departments will take into account your undergraduate GPA, test scores, and work experience in evaluating your candidacy.

Resources

Admissions Departments supply useful data for evaluating quality and selectivity. Ask for admissions and job placement rates and student demographic data. Key demographics include average GPA and test scores of admitted students, average years of work experience, placement data such as employer and starting salary, and country of origin.

Rankings give you a general sense of program reputation. U.S. News & World Report publishes the most well-known and comprehensive ranking, an assessment of graduate information systems programs. The ranking distinguishes between Information Systems as a Library and Information Studies specialty and as a Business specialty.

Step Two: Apply to Graduate Network Security Programs

Graduate network security programs adopt broadly similar requirements for admission. Plan to complete the following steps to gain admission to the network security programs on your list.

1. Complete Prerequisites

Eligibility for graduate study generally requires:

• A bachelor's degree in network security or a related field such as information technology, computer science, or management information systems
• If your degree is in an unrelated field, you may have to complete basic prerequisite courses.
• Standardized tests such as the GRE and TOEFL (for international students)
• Work experience (required by some MBA and professional master's programs)

2. Prepare Application Materials

Access an application form online. In addition to a basic information form, you'll need to submit these documents:

• Academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Test scores
• Personal statement of research interests
• Resume

Since some of these documents rely on outside sources, it's important to start your application well in advance of the deadline.

3. Secure Financial Aid

Financial aid can help you cover the cost of your education investment. Sources of financial aid include:

• University. The university may offer scholarships and grants funded by private donors, the state, or civic groups. Teaching and research assistantships also provide a modest stipend.
• Federal government. Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal programs such as Pell grants and Stafford loans. Also look to public agencies such as the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and National Security Agency, which offer some scholarship money for graduate education in information assurance fields.
• Private foundations and professional associations. Apply for scholarships and grants.
• Employer. Some companies provide continuing education incentives to cover the cost of tuition.

Other strategies for funding your graduate school expenses include low-interest bank loans. Online master's degrees help you avoid some of the cost of going back to school--you can earn a master's degree online and continue working while you work toward your degree. Learn more about your graduate education funding options at WorldWideLearn.com.

Conclusion

A master's degree in network security opens doors to an array of educational and professional opportunities. In addition to advancing your knowledge, you'll gain the privilege of networking with experts and thought leaders in your field. Establish yourself as a network scholar now by joining associations such as the International Systems Security Association and reading industry publications such as Network Security Journal and International Journal of Network Security. The expertise and connections you build in the graduate program can place you at the forefront of network security innovation, where you can lead the way to safer networking in the 21^st century.

Sources

• Best Business Schools and Best Information Science Schools Specialty Ranking: Information Systems, U.S. News & World Report (2009).
• "Computer Network, Systems, and Database Administrators," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
• Master of Science in Computer, Information and Network Security--Network Security Concentration, DePaul College of Computing and Digital Media.
• Network Security Journal.
• Programs in Computers, The Sloan Consortium.
• Search Accredited Programs, AACSB International.
• Search Accredited Programs, ABET.
• The SANS Institute