Why you should study a Cybersecurity degree

Cybersecurity concerns have surfaced more with the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as the development of other smart and emerging technologies. Whilst smart technologies have improved our daily lives and business practices through digital automations, they have also caused significant increase in cybersecurity concerns.

Today’s digital society has seen cybercrime, cyberattacks and security breaches skyrocket. Cyberterrorists are continuously looking to disrupt organisations and are finding new ways to penetrate business enterprises. This has left businesses vulnerable and prone to data breaches, malware and scams.

Cybersecurity is a national priority in Australia for its sustainable digital future. The Australian Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources states that global cybersecurity spending will reach US$251 billion by 2026 creating more than 60,000 new jobs in Australia. The keyword search of 'Information Security' for example returned more than 7361 job opportunities on seek.com.au (accessed on April 2022).

That’s why right now is the perfect time to study an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Cybersecurity. Designed with industry, Torrens University Australia’s Bachelor of Cybersecurity and Master of Cybersecurity courses equip professionals with the skills and know-how to become leaders in the field.

Here are a just a few reasons why you should study a Cybersecurity course at Torrens University.

Learn in-demand skills from a modern curriculum

Our Cybersecurity courses were designed with industry in mind. We worked closely with companies including IBM, Cisco and Fortinet to create a future-focused curriculum that addresses the growing needs of the industry. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to embark on a career fighting cybercrime and defending an organisation’s digital instrastructure.

So, what are some of the key skills that will get you there?

Learn ethical hacking and penetration testing

Contemporary cybersecurity requires proactive and offensive security approaches to protect systems. Cyber professionals need to be able to examine and understand the principles of offensive security paradigms and the impact to business. Ethical hacking and penetration testing practices are used to identify vulnerabilities in existing or proposed systems, with the goal of offering security recommendations.

Learn network security and infrastructure protection

It is critical for cyber professionals to understand network operational protocols and network security concerns in relation to vulnerabilities and threats. Skills in analysis are essential, especially in understanding the impacts on next-generation firewalls and advanced access management operations by humans and machines. Professionals need to be able to evaluate network performance and present a series of network security solutions to the business.

Learn human-centered design and behavioral analysis

One of the biggest cyber threats exists within the organisation. Cyber professionals need an understanding of the advancements in digital technology and an understanding of the human factors that come into play with a smart digital society. Understanding the principles of human interaction and responsiveness with computer-driven systems and user interface design is essential to developing innovative, effective solutions for business.

Our courses are aligned with the Australian Computer Society

The IT sector is made up of a diverse range of professionals who have varying skills and competencies. For this reason, the Australian Computer Society established the Core Body of Knowledge (CBoK) – a set of knowledge requirements for ICT professionals across the different domain areas. It's also used as a reference document by industry organisations, government, and educational institutions who must integrate certain types of knowledge into their curriculum if they are to equip students with professional-level ICT skills and know-how. The international Cyber Body of Knowledge (CyBOK) works in the same way. In developing our Bachelor of Cybersecurity and Master of Cybersecurity, we aligned both courses to the CBoK and CyBOK frameworks.

You will be well-positioned to satisfy the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). A global standard, the SFIA describes the skills and competencies required in today’s digital world. It covers requirements for ICT professionals who work in fields such as security administration, information security, incident management and digital forensics. In building the relevant skills throughout your course, you will be equipped to pursue graduate-level employment in relevant cybersecurity sectors or further study at postgraduate level.

A global industry on the rise

With the rise in cybercrime, governments and organisations are placing greater emphasis on cybersecurity and investing more money into the field.

Earlier this year, the Australian Government committed $9 billion towards cybersecurity in the federal budget as the nation strives to deal with increasing cyberattacks.

In upskilling for a cyber career, you will be part of an ever-growing market. Globally, cybersecurity expenditure is predicted to reach US$251 billion by 2026 – which is almost double the spend recorded in 2016.

With a degree in Cybersecurity, you’ll enjoy exciting career opportunities anywhere in the world. Cisco recently reported there to be one million jobs available globally within the industry across a diverse range of roles.

Enter a high-earning role

If you couple the unparalleled growth of the industry with the shortage of skilled workers, you’ll find that cyber-related roles are offering substantial earning potential.

According to Talent.com, entry-level roles come with salaries starting at $100,000. Once you have more experience under your belt, the opportunities are endless.

Here are the key roles and associated salaries you can acquire when you complete a Cybersecurity course at Torrens University.

Bachelor of Cybersecurity career outcomes 

• ICT Security Specialist: $155,000 salary potential
• Cyber Security Analyst: $135,000 salary potential
• Information Security Analyst: $150,000 salary potential

Master of Cybersecurity career outcomes

• Chief Security Officer: $226,597 salary potential
• Information Security Director: $190,695 salary potential

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide, with significant demand for skilled workers familiar with current and emerging technologies. When you study with Torrens University, you will benefit from our extensive network of industry partners and a curriculum designed, developed and delivered in alignment with the Australian Computer Society’s skills assessment guidelines.