Cybersecurity

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For students seeking a meaningful career that combines problem-solving, service, and professional growth, cybersecurity offers a pathway to make a lasting impact while entering a high-demand field.

In today’s connected world, the cost of launching digital attacks has dropped dramatically, making it easier than ever for cybercriminals to target individuals, businesses, and government systems. Because of this reality, organizations across every industry need skilled professionals who can help protect critical information and technology from increasingly sophisticated threats.

This growing need has created exceptional opportunities in the field of cybersecurity. According to LightCast, cybersecurity professionals earn a median salary of $103,000, with many entry-level positions starting around $68,000. Demand continues to outpace supply, with approximately 663,430 cybersecurity positions currently unfilled in the United States.

  • Develop and implement security plans to safeguard data against attacks by applying industry-standard frameworks for threat detection.
  • Construct and deploy security controls and countermeasures in network and system environments to protect systems from common attacks.
  • Develop and implement robust security policies, procedures, and emergency measures that comply with legal and governmental requirements and protect individual rights.
  • Conduct incident investigations using modern forensic tools and execute response and recovery plans to minimize the impact of security events
  • Develop and execute ethical hacking strategies, utilizing industry-standard tools and techniques to discover vulnerabilities within networks and systems.
  • Develop and deploy monitoring systems to detect and respond to emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities, with a focus on mobile and cloud security strategies.
  • Identify career opportunities through frameworks that evaluate fulfillment and financial health.
  • Build a plan for securing opportunities, using empathy and professionalism to maximize chances of success.
  • Analyze complex cybersecurity challenges, evaluate potential solutions, and implement effective strategies to mitigate risks and protect against threats.
CertificationRelevance to Target OutcomesLevel of Preparation
CompTIA Security+The CompTIA Security+ exam is the standard Cybersecurity certification often required for entry-level Cybersecurity-specific roles, such as Cybersecurity Analyst.Students who complete the program will cover all examined material. The IT and programming courses below are recommended for the additional coverage and practice they would provide.
Certified Ethical HackerThe CEH validates a professional's skills in identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in target systems using the same knowledge and tools as malicious hackers. CEH holders are able to assess the security posture of an organization and recommend solutions to bolster defenses.The Ethical Hacking course would cover penetration testing and attack detection and prevention in sufficient depth to qualify students for CEH.
GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)GSEC certifies that an individual has the essential knowledge and skills in core cybersecurity topics including access control, cryptography, risk management, network security, and incident handling. The certification demonstrates hands-on technical abilities to tackle real-world infosec challenges.The program would provide the necessary background in information systems and networking, including active defense, network security, cryptography, incident response, and cloud security.

Program Insights

TYPE: Minor
DELIVERY: Hybrid | Online
CREDITS: 22-24 Hours

The cybersecurity program is the right choice for those looking to advance their careers in:

Business Analyst

Information Technology

Criminal Justice

Computer Science

Security Analyst

Ethical Hacker

Teaching Physical
Education & Coaching

Physical Therapy
Athletic Training
Chiropractic
Personal Training
Sport Management

Outside the Classroom

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Alumni Testimonial

Scholarships

95% of HPU students receive financial aid.

We’re passionate about making your college experience financially accessible. Our dedicated Financial Aid team will work diligently with you to explore every available opportunity and help make your HPU education affordable.

Contact

Jonathan Young

Chair of the Department of Computer Information Systems,
Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems

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