I can't seem to figure it out. | "Cyber" Defense - What degree/education is best?

[NmeSeth]

I'm currently trying to decide where to go to college. I graduated High School in 2010, and spent the past 2 years working full time to help my family.

The career I want to get into is "Cyber" Security. I'm not sure of the actual phrase people use, as I have heard various different ways of saying it.

I've been trying to figure out what degree to get. I live about 30 minutes from Iowa State, and they have a very good Computer Science / Computer Engineering program...but I can't really figure out what is best.

It confuses me.

[disc.golf.nerd]

I am not currently a member of this forum but I noticed that no-one has answered your question yet.

I currently work in the cyber security field (as a senior civilian employee of the Air Force), and I have a couple of observations that might help you.

1. Cast a wide net. The threats to our cyber security are constantly changing, and if you become too specialized you may find that you are unprepared to counter the threats that may exist 5, 10 or 20 years in the future.
2. Build a solid foundation. You need to understand how various networking and computing devices work in order to understand how to harden them to attack. Understand the theory behind seceure computing, networking, host-based vs. network- based security, etc. Defense in Depth is essential to protecting our networks.
3. Be patient. No-one expects you to know everything when you graduate. No college can truly prepare you for what you will experience in the "real world."

Learn the fundamentals, then continue your study with graduate courses that re-inforce knowledge of specific fields you want to pursue. Learning is a lifelong process.

Good luck, and I hope you stick with your intended goal. We need all the brainpower we can get working in this critical field!

[stroyal]

You're a member now, and welcome to both of you.

[NmeSeth]

I am not currently a member of this forum but I noticed that no-one has answered your question yet.

I currently work in the cyber security field (as a senior civilian employee of the Air Force), and I have a couple of observations that might help you.

1. Cast a wide net. The threats to our cyber security are constantly changing, and if you become too specialized you may find that you are unprepared to counter the threats that may exist 5, 10 or 20 years in the future.
2. Build a solid foundation. You need to understand how various networking and computing devices work in order to understand how to harden them to attack. Understand the theory behind seceure computing, networking, host-based vs. network- based security, etc. Defense in Depth is essential to protecting our networks.
3. Be patient. No-one expects you to know everything when you graduate. No college can truly prepare you for what you will experience in the "real world."

Learn the fundamentals, then continue your study with graduate courses that re-inforce knowledge of specific fields you want to pursue. Learning is a lifelong process.

Good luck, and I hope you stick with your intended goal. We need all the brainpower we can get working in this critical field!

Thank you very much. I'm actually cautious about working in the US. To speak bluntly, My first sights will be Canada or South Korea unless prospects in the USA seem to get better (Politically/Leadership)