Top 10 Jobs With an Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity

If you have a thirst for learning — and an analytical mind to back it up — cybersecurity might be the right direction for your future.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analysts are expected to see a 29% increase in openings through 2034.* That’s significantly higher than the 3% average growth rate projected for all occupations, BLS said — meaning these careers are expected to be in high demand in the coming years.*

“The cybersecurity talent shortage continues to prevent deployments of advanced security measures like zero trust and AI-driven detection, with a limited supply of skilled analysts, threat hunters and DevSecOps (development, security and operations) experts,” said Dr. Dennis Backherms, an associate dean of cybersecurity at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) who holds a PhD in Information Technology and has over two decades of experience in security.

Earning a bachelor's in cybersecurity could help qualify you for these positions and a number of others.

What Can You Do With an Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity?

An online degree in cybersecurity can equip you with the same skills as an in-person degree — and prepare you for the same jobs.

Take Gina Cramer '20, for example. She earned her bachelor's degree in cybersecurity online from SNHU and now works for BNY, a global financial services company. Cramer was a career changer with a busy life, which is why she chose to get her degree online.

"I knew I had to do online. I had a family, two kids, married. I had to work full-time to make ends meet," she said. "So online was the easiest way."

She said researching the job market led her to her major. "I knew cybersecurity was not going away anytime soon, and it won't ever at this point," she said.

After getting her start as an analyst, Cramer is now a leader on the application security team at BNY. "We use two automated scanners that run looking for everything that they know of to look for," she said. "And then my team basically validates those findings."

Everyone's career path will be unique, and there are many positions to explore. Here are 10 job titles you could pursue with the help of a bachelor’s degree in this subject:

Cloud Security Engineer

With more and more businesses turning to the cloud to store their data, cloud security has become increasingly important in recent years, according to Rodney Royster, another instructor at SNHU who has 40 years of experience in tech and has held positions with the FBI.

"The cloud security engineer’s duties specialize in cloud environments such as AWS (Amazon Web Services), Azure and GCP (Google Cloud Platform)," Royster said.

Cybersecurity Architect

In an architect role, you would work to plan and design secure systems.

"A cybersecurity architect is someone who designs and strategizes things such as frameworks, policies, etc.," Royster said. "They ensure alignment with business goals and compliance."

Cybersecurity Engineer

Cyber engineers bring the concepts and designs of a security architect to fruition.

"A cybersecurity engineer is someone who builds things," Royster said.

He noted that their work involves implementation, maintenance and troubleshooting. "They ensure operations, such as ensuring that security systems function day-to-day," he said. "Cybersecurity engineers' duties are broad and can cover cloud as well."

Cybersecurity Manager

A degree could also help you move up to a management role, like SNHU graduate Cyndie Ramirez '18, who earned a bachelor's in IT with a concentration in cybersecurity.

"I am currently a senior manager in the cybersecurity field," Ramirez said.

She said she got her start as an analyst, then moved to an insider threat team before being promoted to a senior management role. "And then from that, I just kind of went into the management," she said.

As a woman in STEM, Ramirez said she didn't have many role models who she could look up to — but SNHU introduced her to The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, a conference for women in technology.

She noted that the events introduced her to other women in the field and gave her the opportunity to network. "It was life-changing to go to Grace Hopper," she said.

Digital Forensic Examiner

Digital forensics is a major subfield of cybersecurity, Royster said.

According to the FBI, digital forensic examiners collect, examine and analyze digital evidence without compromising it (FBI PDF source).

Incident Response Specialist

Incident response specialists are responsible for investigating, analyzing and responding to digital security incidents, the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) said.

"Like its name suggests, you are responding to incidents or cyberattacks in real-time," Royster said. "In other words, they are similar to firefighters putting out fires."

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts have a number of responsibilities, according to BLS, including:

• Checking for vulnerabilities
• Developing an organization's security standards and best practices
• Preparing reports and documenting relevant metrics
• Researching security trends

Penetration Tester

Penetration testers get their hands dirty and use their hacking skills to look for vulnerabilities — giving these professionals the nickname “white hat hackers,” according to CompTIA.

Threat Intelligence Analyst

Roles in threat intelligence, like that of a threat intelligence analyst, focus on assessing and communicating judgments regarding threats and gaps in intelligence, according to the FBI.

"Their duties will include researching adversaries, tracking emerging and new threats, and providing actionable information so that companies can be better prepared in defending themselves," Royster said.

Vulnerability Analyst

While penetration testers attempt to hack into secure systems to find vulnerabilities, a vulnerability analyst often takes a different approach, organizing network-based scans and developing policies and strategies to help manage security vulnerabilities, CompTIA said.

Learn more about the different types of roles in cybersecurity.

What Cyber Roles Might Require a Bachelor’s Degree?

Not all roles require a bachelor’s degree, but it’s a necessary credential for specific positions and employers, according to Backherms.

“Large corporations and government positions often require degrees for HR screening purposes,” Backherms said. “Certain security clearance positions mandate degree requirements.”

Backherms noted that there are smaller companies and specialist roles that might highly value certifications, so you can get your start in the field without a bachelor’s. (Note: SNHU does not currently offer professional cybersecurity certifications.) But, he said you might find that you’re not able to grow into a more advanced role without a degree.

"Management and executive roles typically expect bachelor's degrees or higher,” Backherms said.

Read more: Is a Cybersecurity Degree Worth It?

How to Land a Cybersecurity Job

For the best chance of landing a cyber job, you need to have a well-rounded resume, according to Royster. He said a bachelor’s degree proves that you have the soft skills necessary to perform a role — not just the technical skills.

You'll also need to continually develop your knowledge, because the landscape changes quickly.

“The field changes on a daily basis, and we need to be able to stay on top of the changing trends and attacks so we can pivot at moment’s notice,” said Glen Mitchell, a cybersecurity instructor at SNHU with over two decades of experience in the field, including working as a cyber warfare technician with the U.S. Army.

According to Mitchell, you need to be invested if you want to get ahead. "This career field requires you to have a passion and interest in cyber," he said. "You can not just turn off your want for information as you leave for the day."

He recommended getting started with practical experience early and participating in internships or volunteer positions before applying for entry-level roles. He said internships can also be a great way to find your niche in the field.

"Find what your passion is,” Mitchell said. “There are many roles in cyber that require different skill sets. Find the one that interests you and keeps you engaged.”

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.