Cybersecurity Education Around the World: Preparing Defenders for the Digital Age
The rise in cyber attacks of every kind has created an enormous need for cybersecurity professionals around the world. These people are responsible for protecting digital assets like banks, hospitals, government networks and cloud systems from threats. As cybercrime becomes more sophisticated, many universities around the world are developing new degree programs to train people with skills to defend against current cyber threats. As a result, cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing areas of study at universities in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, and Australia, where there are plenty of higher-level educational programs, research opportunities and job openings available.
The U.S. has a competitive advantage in making advances in technology through its capabilities when it comes to higher education with regard to careers that relate to cybersecurity as well as the overall size of the cyber technology sector within the U.S. mainstream economy. The U.S. also has significant levels of federal government funding for the purpose of protecting U.S. citizens against various types of cybercriminal acts; thus, U.S. universities represent one of the primary sources of education and research in the cybersecurity sector. Among these institutions are the following universities noted for providing quality research and academic (degree-granting) programs related to both information security and computer science: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, and University of California – Berkeley. In addition to these schools being known worldwide as leaders in cybersecurity-related computer science and information security programs, there are many additional schools offering high-quality programs in these areas. Many U.S. universities have established partnerships with federal government entities as well as private businesses that allow students to participate in hands-on practical exercises and experiential learning opportunities in state-of-the-art research laboratories dedicated to the area of cyber-defense or cybersecurity.
Some examples of courses offered in the cybersecurity area include ethical hacking; network security; cryptography; digital forensics; and cyber-law. In addition to partnerships between schools and businesses, numerous companies in the technology/cybersecurity-related industries are willing to provide students with excellent internship opportunities to obtain pre-graduation practical work experience.
The rise of Canada as an international hub for technology has made it a top choice for those who would like to study Cyber Security. In addition to Toronto and Vancouver, universities in Canada that offer programs in Cyber Security and Information Assurance are noted for their combination of practical experience and academia through co-operative education programs where students will get to experience real-life Cyber Security environments while receiving an education about Cyber Security. Two of Canada’s largest metropolitan areas, Toronto and Ottawa, are experiencing rapid development in the area of Cyber Security due, in part, to government funding and by several companies involved in or working in technology. There are several Canadian immigration programs, including access to post-graduate work permits, that contribute to the attractiveness of Canada as a place for international students interested in Cyber Security careers.
The UK’s educational system has a strong reputation for providing quality education in the field of cybersecurity, largely due to the high level of quality in research in the area and also the regulatory policies in place. Some of the top institutions that have well-established programs related to computer security, information security, and digital forensics include Oxford University, Cambridge University, Imperial College London, and the University of Edinburgh. The UK Government has made substantial investments in cyber research and development and has designated certain universities as Academic Centres of Excellence (ACE) in Cyber Security Research. Many of these programs include courses such as secure programming/coding, cyber risk management, cryptography, and compliance with data protection legislation/regulations. One additional advantage to studying in the UK is that many universities offer 1-year Master’s Degree programs which allow students to begin their careers sooner than if they were to pursue a Master’s in other countries. Furthermore, the growing digital economy provides ongoing opportunities for cybersecurity professionals in finance, government, and information technology.
Germany has an excellent education system for technology and engineering that extends to cybersecurity. The Technical University of Munich, RWTH Aachen University and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology are all examples of institutions that offer rigorous educational programs in areas such as IT security and cryptography as well as systems engineering. In addition, these same institutions heavily emphasize the protection of data and the maintenance of privacy through compliance with strict regulations established by the European Union (e.g. General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR). Public universities charge very low tuition costs (almost free) for their students, which provides better access to international students who want to earn an education in the field of cybersecurity. Germany’s industrial sector, as well as its growing technology start-up community, provide many opportunities for collaboration on research projects and internships with organizations working in cybersecurity – particularly regarding Cyber-Physical Systems and Cybersecurity in Industrial Environments.
According to Australian legislation “cybersecurity education” is a major contributor to the growth of the digital economy. As a result, many Australian universities including but not limited to; The University of Melbourne, The Australian National University, The University of Sydney and Monash University offer Integrated Cybersecurity Programs. Cybersecurity students can expect to learn about cyber threats as well as topics such as: Cyber Threat Intelligence; Network Defence; and the Governance of Cyber Security. Cybersecurity students will also be able to work on practical projects in partnership with government agencies, universities, and private organisations. International students enrolled in Cybersecurity programs will be able to obtain part-time work experience in Australia.
In these countries at the top of the field, the intent behind providing training for individuals in Cybersecurity is to prepare them with the ability to anticipate changes in cyber threats, to recognize attacks, and to act on attacks that have already occurred. All of the academic programs associated with Cybersecurity include a strong emphasis on laboratory hands-on experience amongst simulated attack exercises and training. In addition, students will usually be allowed to earn various certifications which enable them to be employed. As the prevalence of cyber risk continues to increase globally, there will continue to be a demand for Cybersecurity specialists globally for the foreseeable future.
When you are determining where you will pursue your studies in Cybersecurity, some determining factors can include your long-term academic goals and the amount of financial resources you will have available to spend on your education, as well as your long-term career goals. The United States has a number of excellent opportunities to perform research and work for innovative companies within the field you have chosen. Canada excels with its co-op type of academic programs as well as its immigration policies. The United Kingdom has a number of very high quality educational institutions offering a high level of academic excellence along with an accelerated option for receiving your degree.
