Addressing 5 Concerns with Cyber Security Degrees: How Can Higher Education Help Prepare Cybersecurity Students?
Addressing 5 Concerns with Cyber Security Degrees:
How Can Higher Education Help Prepare Cybersecurity Students?
Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, making the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals greater than ever.
Traditional college courses often focus on the fundamentals of cybersecurity concepts, which are important. Yet, they do not always fully prepare students for the real-world challenges they will face upon entering the workforce.
Continuous experiential learning and dynamic cybersecurity training programs are important for preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
These programs ensure that graduates are equipped with the practical skills needed to meet the demands of the cyber security industry.
Here are 5 concerns with most cyber security degrees in higher education and ways to address them:
1. Lack of Curriculum Updates
Cybersecurity threats and technologies change frequently, which requires educational institutions to continuously update their courses. If they don’t, students may graduate with skills that are no longer relevant or effective against current threats.
Concern: The bureaucracy associated with updating curricula at colleges often means they can't keep up with the fast changes in cybersecurity. As a result, students might finish their programs with outdated knowledge that doesn't fully prepare them for today's job market.
Some schools address this by working with area businesses to learn more about how they hire and what they look for and modifying the curriculum to align with those needs. Security leaders from the community may be open to guest teaching a class or two and discussing recent trends, threat intelligence, technology options, and more. Additionally, some vendors, like Cloud Range, will work with schools to adapt the curricula to meet employer demand and increase the students’ employability.
2. Industry Skills Preparation
It’s critical for students to learn about the different skills and abilities that will help them in cybersecurity. While many courses already include that in the curriculum, they may not always dive deep enough to help students prepare for what they will encounter in their first job.
Concern: Degrees might not align with the real-world experience that employers are looking to hire for their organizations.
Skills preparation can include Q&A sessions with cyber professionals or SOC teams, a series of cyber labs, or helping students achieve an industry-standard certification. The goal is to get the students out of a book and enable them to learn and employ skills in a different environment.
When a degree program actively prepares students for mitigating cyber threats using practical learning resources, graduates can more easily gain jobs in the industry and transition to future, more advanced positions.
3. Practical Experience vs. Theoretical Knowledge
Employers prioritize hands-on experience over theoretical knowledge or certifications, with 72% of respondents in ISACA’s 2023 report ranking it as the top cybersecurity qualification. Educational institutions can help bridge the skills gap by incorporating dynamic, experiential learning into their curriculum, giving students the real-world experience employers seek.
Concern: A cybersecurity degree may focus more on theoretical knowledge rather than practical, hands-on learning experiences – especially if degrees focus on governance, policy, and compliance.
Real-world cybersecurity work often involves dealing with dynamic and unpredictable threats, which requires practical problem-solving and judgment skills. Programs that incorporate experiential learning, such as live-fire simulations on a cyber range or internships, better prepare graduates for actual job demands.
4. Cost and Return on Investment (ROI)
While cybersecurity professionals are in demand, the cost of obtaining a degree can be substantial. Prospective students need to weigh the potential debt against the likely salary and job prospects to ensure a good ROI.
Concern: The high cost of cyber security degrees may not always translate to higher salaries, job opportunities, or skills development. Additionally, employers may search for experience rather than only degrees or certifications.
There are several ways to help address the cost concerns of cybersecurity degrees. For example, some institutions provide flexible learning options, allowing students to balance work and study and reducing the financial strain. There are many scholarships, grants, and financial aid targeted at cybersecurity students, easing tuition costs.
Some educational institutions form partnerships with companies to offer work-study programs, internships, and apprenticeships that provide hands-on experience while students earn their degree, often with financial support from employers. Plus, as mentioned, when the curriculum incorporates hands-on, experiential learning, students develop practical skills that can lead to quicker employment, improving their return on investment.
Schools can also enhance career services and job placement services by building strong industry connections, helping students transition into high-demand roles, and ensuring their education leads directly to employability and higher salaries.
5. Faculty Expertise and Student Learning Resources
The effectiveness of a cybersecurity program heavily depends on the expertise of its faculty and the resources available, such as access to cutting-edge technology, teachers who were former CISOs, student SOC teams, cyber ranges, and cyber labs.
Programs that provide resources like these empower students with the education they need to excel in the field.
Concern: Variability in faculty expertise and access to resources in higher education can impact the consistency of educational opportunities among institutions. Not every student will receive the same learning opportunities if there is not a consistent educational requirement in higher education.
Successful cybersecurity programs often feature industry-experienced faculty, access to advanced resources, and standardized curricula based on recognized frameworks like NICE or MITRE ATT&CK. Programs that collaborate with industry partners, offer continuous faculty development, and provide remote learning tools, such as virtual labs, ensure that students are equipped with practical, real-world skills no matter where they are. These elements help create a dynamic learning environment that prepares students to excel in the field.
Preparing Cyber Security Students with Continuous Training Programs
Why Should Higher Education Provide Students with Hands-on Security Training?
Higher education programs that incorporate practical, hands-on, live-fire simulation training help ensure that students gain real-world experience in detecting and responding to cyber threats.
Here are 4 ways cyber ranges and simulation training can help higher education prepare cybersecurity students for the job market:
Cyber ranges provide students with safe, simulation training environments where they can learn the process of how to detect and mitigate real cyber attacks.
Students can log in from anywhere, making it easy to incorporate into both in-person and remote classrooms.
Students have access to speak with experts who can provide guidance and honest feedback on how to defend against different types of threats.
Students can access consistently updated technology on evolving cyber threats, including the different types of difficulty levels and multiple security tool options.
If you’re looking to enhance your cybersecurity skills or curriculum with practical, hands-on training, explore Cloud Range's higher education cyber attack simulation training programs.
Conclusion
When higher education institutions enhance cybersecurity curricula with practical, hands-on learning opportunities, students receive a more comprehensive education that prepares them for future success.
Real-world simulation experiences can also be added to resumes, which can help employers feel more confident in hiring new graduates.
Cloud Range: Customer Testimonial Quote
“Jacksonville University Center of Cybersecurity is in year two of incorporating a cyber range learning component to the theoretical course curriculum.
At our university, we strive to keep our curriculum updated with cyber industry trends, and the cyber range simulation experience along with the labs we incorporate, in our opinion, are a game changer and will elevate the student learning experience ultimately helping them be more employable upon graduation.”
- Dr. Mini Zeng, Associate. Prof Computing Science
Ready to expand your academic offerings with innovative security training? Request a demo today!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Cybersecurity College Courses
Question 1: Is a Certification in Cybersecurity Enough for Skills Development?
Answer: A certification in cybersecurity knowledge can be a valuable asset for skills development, but it may not be sufficient on its own. Certifications provide a structured learning path and validate knowledge in specific areas of cybersecurity.
However, hands-on experience, continuous learning, and practical application are important for showcasing someone’s ability to perform these skills.
Question 2: How Can College Courses Be Improved for Students Learning Cybersecurity?
Answer: College courses can be improved for students learning cybersecurity by incorporating more practical, hands-on experiences alongside theoretical knowledge. This includes:
Lab Exercises and Simulations: Integrating cyber range exercises and real-world simulations to allow students to practice responding to cyber incidents.
Industry Collaboration: Partnering with cybersecurity companies for internships, guest lectures, and collaborative projects to give students exposure to current industry practices.
Having a Relevant Curriculum: Regularly updating the curriculum to include the latest cybersecurity threats, technologies, and best practices.
Mentorship and Networking: Providing mentorship programs and opportunities for students to network with professionals in the security field.
