An information security systems degree prepares learners to pursue management careers in operational security. Enrollees can discover the fundamentals of web security, data privacy, business continuity, and information systems planning and auditing.
Coursework commonly covers object-oriented programming, interactive web page scripting, and cloud computing security. Degree-seekers may also prepare to take certification exams like CompTIA Cloud+ and CompTIA Linux+.
Graduates can enter the lucrative and fast-growing information security industry. Cybercrime Magazine projects 3.5 million computer security job openings from 2023-2025. Information systems security graduates can work as information security specialists, computer security specialists, or data security administrators.
As information security careers grow in prominence, related majors also grow in popularity. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that schools conferred 145% more computer and information science degrees in 2019-2020 than they did in 2009-2010.
Find out more about undergraduate information systems security degrees below.
Why Get a Degree in Information Systems Security?
Information systems security programs meet the education requirements for most IT jobs. Job-seekers with information systems security degrees can pursue work as computer network architects, who earn a median annual salary exceeding $120,000. A bachelor's in information systems security can also prepare graduates to seek IT management careers.
High Earning Potential: IT jobs often offer generous salaries. However, information systems and cybersecurity experts enjoy especially high earning potential as the threat of cyberattacks continues to increase in the United States.
Job Growth and Sustainability: Information security programs prepare students to apply for in-demand positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 2021-2031 employment growth for information security analysts to far outpace the national average for all occupations.
Adaptable Career Skills: A bachelor's in information systems security builds skills in network security, information assurance, and cyberethics. The degree also develops foundational abilities in IT business and management.
Fulfilling Work: Information systems security analysts help protect consumers, businesses, and national interests. These professionals can help companies save billions of dollars and protect America's defense systems from bad actors.
Work Across Industries: Employers in nearly every field need information security analysts. Cybersecurity experts can work in government agencies, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail.
Top Five Information Systems Security Degrees
Explore some of the best five information systems security degrees for 2023. We explain how we rank information systems security programs at the link below.
What to Expect From an Information Systems Security Program
Information systems security degrees teach enrollees to prevent attacks against data privacy, mitigate damages, and carry out recovery plans. Students can earn bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or doctorates in the field from institutionally accredited colleges and universities.
At the undergraduate level, core courses include fundamentals of cloud computing and introduction to operating systems. Skills-based classes like web interface design usually include a lab component.
Graduate students typically encounter coursework in digital forensics and security software engineering. At the doctoral level, courses emphasize research development and may include cybersecurity research methodologies or independent study.
Admission Requirements
Universities set various requirements to apply for a bachelor's in information systems security. Generally, students must submit an online application and high school or prior college transcripts. Many programs require application fees, but some waive these fees. Applicants may also submit essays or standardized test scores.
Many schools accept applications through Common App. This nonprofit platform allows students to apply to multiple schools at the same time.
Degree and Concentration Options
Bachelor's-level information systems security programs include BS, BBA, and BAS options. These information systems security degree types cater to varying student backgrounds and career goals.
BS Degree: A BS, the most common degree among our top-ranked programs, focuses on math and science. Information systems security BS programs emphasize technological competency and help prepare students for programming-related careers.
BBA Degree: A BBA highlights the information security industry's business needs and prepares students to pursue IT-focused business careers.
BAS Degree: BAS programs typically admit students who already hold associate degrees. Learners receive transfer credit and complete additional courses to earn a bachelor's degree.
Popular Information Systems Security Courses
Information systems security programs offer various courses. The list below details some of the most popular courses in this major.
Foundations of Information Systems: This course covers key information systems principles and concepts. Topics may include software engineering, databases, and networks.
Programming in Python: This course teaches Python programming basics. Students solve problems through coding and learn about control structures, data structures, and algorithms.
Ethical Hacking: Ethical hacking allows students to enter a hacker's mindset, detect exploits, and deploy countermeasures. Students learn about social engineering, remote access tools, and malware.
Cisco Networking: Learners in this course study network structure and learn how to build simple networks. The curriculum covers the architecture and functions of the internet, routers, and switches.
Project Management: This course explores project management in the information systems field. Students learn about project management principles and develop solutions to real-life problems.
How Much Do Bachelor's in Information Systems Security Cost?
Information systems security degree costs vary by school. Factors that affect program cost include whether the school is public or private, whether a student is an in-state resident or nonresident, and whether classes take place online or on campus. Tuition rates for the programs in our ranking range from about $300-$1200 per credit.
Enrolled students also pay costs beyond tuition, such as housing, food, and transportation expenses. Students can apply for financial aid to help with educational funding. Schools, federal and state governments, and scholarship organizations use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine aid eligibility.
Cybersecurity vs. Information Systems Security Programs
Many people use the terms cybersecurity and information systems security interchangeably. While the two concepts overlap, they are not identical.
Cybersecurity emphasizes data protection through identifying vulnerabilities, while information systems security focuses on protecting information through network and systems security. Consequently, a degree in cybersecurity may differ from an information systems security program.
Consider the following situations and the potential benefits of each degree:
| Situation | Cybersecurity Degree | Information Security Degree |
|---|---|---|
| You are seeking a career in identifying and patching holes in a system's security. | Cybersecurity degrees help prepare students to pursue work as security analysts, cryptographers, or computer forensics professionals. | Information security degrees may focus more on creating secure system architecture than on providing ongoing security measures. |
| You would like to lead an IT or security team. | This degree can develop skills for aspiring cybersecurity managers or information systems security officers. | This degree could prepare students to pursue work as general technology executives over organization-wide IT teams. |
Jobs for Information Systems Security Graduates
An information security degree prepares graduates to pursue careers in penetration testing, incident response, cybercrime investigation, and cybersecurity leadership.
Highly educated, certified candidates can compete for the highest-paying, fastest-growing careers. A bachelor's degree can provide an entryway to many top-paying industry jobs, including information security analyst and computer and information systems manager.
Certifications can also demonstrate value. According to Skilllsoft's Global Knowledge 2021 IT Skills and Salary Report, certified professionals reported increased engagement with their work, along with promotions and raises.
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts protect computer networks by monitoring for security breaches. Analysts research the latest IT trends to keep up with the constantly evolving technology field. Since nearly all sectors need data protection, analysts can work for corporations, for governments, and as freelancers.
Computer Network Architect
Computer network architects plan and develop communication networks. Some employers prefer candidates with an MBA in information systems. Computer network architects can advance into computer and information systems manager roles.
Database Administrators and Architects
Database administrators design, produce, and maintain data storage systems. These professionals protect data across diverse industries. Professionals in this role must understand the programming languages their company uses, plus additional database languages.
Chief Information Security Officer
A chief information security officer (CISO) oversees all aspects of data protection and management within an organization. These professionals develop security protocols, manage intellectual property rights, and prepare financial forecasts for security operations. A CISO typically holds a degree in computer science or information technology, along with many years of relevant IT management experience.
Computer and Information Systems Manager
These professionals, also called IT project managers, plan, secure, update, and direct organizations' computer-related activities. A computer and information systems manager often holds a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field, and many earn master's degrees in business administration. Employers may require several years of IT experience.
Choosing the Right Information Systems Security Program
Students should only pursue accredited information security programs. Schools may hold institutional accreditation, with optional programmatic accreditation from agencies like ABET. The following list includes other factors for students to consider when researching their ideal schools.
School Size: While some learners prefer intimate settings, others enjoy larger communities with increased networking opportunities.
Location: Enrollees may study on campus or complete online information systems security degrees from any location.
Program Composition: Schools may offer information security as a specialization of IT, mathematics, or engineering degrees.
Earning Potential: Information systems security degrees typically yield high salaries and a favorable ROI.
Staff Credentials: Faculty members should hold advanced computer science-related degrees from accredited schools.
Diversity: Do the institution's staff and student body include a cross-section of people historically underrepresented in cybersecurity?
Alumni Network: Schools with high-profile alumni in IT often attract students in this major. Connecting with alumni can pave the way for employment after graduation.
Prestige: Attending a school with a strong reputation in IT can appear favorable to employers.
Required Admission Materials/Test Scores: Admission standards vary widely among institutions. Some schools require high test scores, while others do not include exam scores in their admission materials.
Extracurriculars: Many programs cater to students through innovative computing, science, and engineering projects or by offering access to emerging tech.
Student-to-Teacher Ratio: A lower student-to-teacher ratio allows for closer interactions with faculty.
Program Length: Some students need to graduate quickly. Others may prefer or require a longer, less intense program.
Should You Get an Online Bachelor's in Information Systems Security?
The number of students taking online courses significantly increased during the coronavirus pandemic. College and university students taking at least one online course jumped from 37% in 2019 to 74% in 2020, according to NCES.
A degree in information systems security may translate well to online delivery due to the program's computerized nature. Students considering an online bachelor's in information systems should weigh transportation times, flexibility, and self-motivation to decide if online courses fit their needs.
FAQ About Information Systems Security
Information systems security vs. cybersecurity — what's the difference?
Information security refers to the protection of digital and non-digital information, while cybersecurity involves protecting data from electronic security breaches. Though there are differences, some programs use the terms interchangeably.
What is an example of information systems security?
Information security specialists can fill multiple roles. For example, information systems security specialists monitor networks for breaches and safeguard against malicious actors.
What can I do with a degree in information systems security?
Graduates of information systems security programs can pursue jobs that require strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Popular roles include information systems analyst, computer systems analyst, and network administrator.
Are information systems security programs hard to get into?
Information security programs usually set similar requirements to other bachelor's programs. Students pursuing this degree usually submit an online application and transcripts. Application requirements may also include essays, standardized test scores, and letters of recommendation.
