What Can You Do With a Cybersecurity Degree?

Cybersecurity professionals help prevent data breaches, detect threats, and maintain secure systems through well-designed protocols.

A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, such as the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity at Rasmussen University, may provide¹ a structured path for building technical skills, analytical thinking, and an understanding of how to protect systems and networks from emerging threats.

Cybersecurity Courses To Consider

A cybersecurity degree blends¹ hands-on practice with theoretical knowledge, helping students learn to identify vulnerabilities, analyze risks, and develop effective defenses. Coursework typically¹ covers network security, risk management, incident response, and the fundamentals of computer operating systems and information technology.

The Rasmussen University program includes courses¹ that address modern challenges and may help students to develop knowledge applicable to cybersecurity roles.

Examples of courses include:¹

• Virtualization
  Explores current virtualization technologies and strategies, including distributed virtual switching, server-side versus client-side virtualization, and virtual appliances.
• Hacker Techniques, Tools, and Applications
  Examines common hacking tools and vulnerabilities found in operating systems, networks, and applications. Introduces incident response and methods used when security systems are compromised.
• Malware Reverse Engineering
  Focuses on analyzing malware of unknown origin, using disassembly and decompilation tools to understand its behavior and structure.

These courses encourage critical thinking and problem solving, key components in assessing security risks and preventing security breaches.

Prepare for Industry Certifications

The Rasmussen University Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree-completion program also helps students prepare for several recognized industry certifications, including:¹

• Systems Security Certified Practitioner^® (SSCP^®)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional^® (CCNP^®)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor^® (CISA^®)
• CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst^® (CySA+^®)

These cybersecurity programs align with real-world skills and may help students strengthen their readiness for evolving cybersecurity careers.*

Developing Cybersecurity Career Skills

Students in Rasmussen University’s Cybersecurity program¹ may build both technical skills and transferable skills. Through comprehensive coursework, students may gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies and frameworks that help strengthen organizational defenses against cyber threats and security risks.

Typical skills that students may gain typically include:¹

• Advanced Networking
  Implementing best practices for secure network design to support physical and virtualized enterprise computing workloads.
• Vulnerability Analysis
  Analyzing vulnerabilities and risks within an enterprise, apply investigation and analysis techniques to gather and preserve evidence, and develop disaster recovery plans and risk analysis documentation that assess the long-term viability of applications and backup solutions.
• Security Awareness
  Developing security awareness communications that strengthen an organization’s “human firewall” and maintain defense of the enterprise attack surface through education and consistent messaging.
• Security Risk Management
  Learning, analyzing, and evaluating approaches to measuring and managing risks in diverse business environments. Apply risk management strategies that align with industry compliance standards to help ensure business continuity and mitigate potential threats.
• Transferable Skills
  Core courses also may help you strengthen critical thinking, communication, digital fluency, information literacy, and a strong sense of ethics and professional responsibility; skills that translate into confident, effective performance across cybersecurity careers.

Career Opportunities in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity skills are essential in industries that rely on information technology, including² healthcare, finance, and government.

Professionals with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity may pursue roles¹ such as:

• Information assurance analyst
• Information security analyst
• Information security manager
• Information systems security analyst
• Information technology security analyst

Each of these cybersecurity jobs typically involves¹ using risk assessment and risk management strategies to develop security protocols, monitor security systems, and ensure compliance with established security standards. These professionals may receive opportunities to help organizations protect sensitive information and maintain the reliability of systems and networks.

Job Market and Demand

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for information security analysts or cybersecurity professionals is projected³ to grow 29% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the national average for all occupations.

This outlook reflects the continuing need³ for professionals who can safeguard computer networks and information systems against complex cyber threats. Organizations depend on information security analysts and related professionals to strengthen security measures, prevent data breaches, and maintain compliance with evolving security standards.

Cybersecurity Networking and Community

Conferences, workshops, and online communities may be an opportunity⁴ for students and industry professionals to share knowledge, collaborate, and discuss trends in risk analysis and security operations.

Agencies such as the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) may provide⁵ valuable frameworks and educational resources that support cybersecurity professionals and cybersecurity programs nationwide.

How To Get Started in Cybersecurity

If you’re ready to explore the next step in cybersecurity, begin by researching cybersecurity programs that emphasize practical experience, current technology, and collaboration with industry professionals. The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity at Rasmussen University may provide¹ a foundation in risk management, security systems, and technical skills that support the protection of systems and networks in a variety of settings.

Engaging with professional networks, following guidance from the National Security Agency, and developing a habit of continual learning will help you stay current in this evolving field. A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity can help students develop the foundational knowledge to pursue roles focused on securing systems and mitigating cyber threats.

* Preparation for certification exams is dependent on the successful completion of related coursework and cannot guarantee achievement of any certification.

Systems Security Certified Practitioner^® (SSCP^®) is a registered certification mark of (ISC)^2®.
Cisco Certified Network Professional^® (CCNP^®) is a registered trademark of Cisco^® Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates.
Certified Information Systems Auditor^® (CISA^®) is a trademark of the Information Systems Audit^® and Control Association^® (ISACA^®).
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst^® (CySA+^®) is a registered trademark of the Computing Technology Industry Association, Inc.^® (CompTIA^®).

¹Rasmussen University, “Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity,” https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology/cyber-security/bachelors/ (visited October 8, 2025).
²Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-3 (visited October 8, 2025). Employment conditions in your area may vary.
³Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-6 (visited October 8, 2025). Employment conditions in your area may vary.
⁴Cybersecurity Guide, “Career Networking Guide,” https://cybersecurityguide.org/resources/career-networking-guide/ (visited October 8, 2025).
⁵National Security Agency, “Centers of Academic Excellence,” https://www.nsa.gov/Academics/Centers-of-Academic-Excellence/ (visited October 8, 2025).