Cybersecurity
What this major studies in college, how to prepare in high school where a source says so, and careers open with a bachelor’s degree. Every fact below names its source.
Last checked:
What it is
Penn State's bachelor of science in cybersecurity analytics and operations is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers as cybersecurity professionals. [1]
The program teaches the essential concepts of cyber-defense and the analytical basics of cybersecurity, with a focus on risk management and on keeping online information safe in large networks. [1]
Typical college courses
A collaboration between major international computing societies that includes ACM and the IEEE Computer Society, cybersecurity is a computing-based discipline involving technology, people, information and processes to enable assured operations. [2]
The cybersecurity analytics and operations B.S. requires, each with a grade of C or better, CYBER 221 (Overview of Information Security), CYBER 451 (Network Security), CYBER 454 (Computer and Cyber Forensics) and IST 220 (Networking and Telecommunications), among other courses. [1]
The rows below show one named program as an example: the Penn State bachelor of science in cybersecurity analytics and operations (courses all options share), 2026–2027 bulletin. Course descriptions are in our own words. Course names and numbers differ at every college; confirm each college’s own list.
| Course | Status | What it covers (example: Penn State bulletin) | Comes after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Literacy | Required in this example programThe B.S. also requires, with a grade of C or better, Computer Systems Literacy (CYBER 100 or CYBER 100S). [1] | Computer Systems Literacy (CYBER 100) is an introductory course on the history, architecture and operation of computers and the theory beneath them, meant to give students from different backgrounds the IT basics for later cybersecurity courses. [3] | No prerequisite is shown for it. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: How computers work: hardware, software and abstraction · Troubleshooting technology · How data is represented · Networks and the internet | |||
| Overview of Information Security | Required in this example program[1] | Overview of Information Security (CYBER 221) covers security principles, architectures and models, physical and operations security, access control, attacks and defenses, cryptography, network and web security, and worms and viruses. [3] | It comes after SRA 111 and one of CMPSC 101, IST 140 or CMPSC 121. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Cybersecurity threats · Protecting accounts and devices · Privacy and data collection | |||
| Networking and Telecommunications | Required in this example program[1] | Networking and Telecommunications (IST 220) introduces how digital networks are laid out, transmission media, signal modulation, and how data packets are switched and routed. [4] | No enforced prerequisite is shown, and IST 110 is recommended as preparation. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Networks and the internet · How computers work: hardware, software and abstraction · Digital information and waves · Waves: frequency, wavelength and speed | |||
| Network Security | Required in this example program[1] | Network Security (CYBER 451) covers the core issues and ideas of network security, the technologies and protocols used to secure networks, and new technologies in the field. [3] | It comes after IST 220 with a C or better and SRA 221 or CYBER 221. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Networks and the internet · Cybersecurity threats · Protecting accounts and devices | |||
| Computer and Cyber Forensics | Required in this example program[1] | Computer and Cyber Forensics (CYBER 454) covers computer and cyber crime, how to uncover, protect and document digital evidence, and the tools and procedures used to investigate such crimes. [3] | It comes after a C or better in IST 220, SRA 221 or CYBER 221. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Your digital footprint and identity · How data is represented · Cybersecurity threats · Identity theft, fraud and consumer protection | |||
| Introduction to Application Development (one of three choices) | One of the choices in this example programThe B.S. also requires, with a grade of C or better, one of Introduction to Application Development, Introduction to Programming Techniques, or Programming and Computation I. [1] | Introduction to Application Development (IST 140) is a first course in the concepts and skills of building applications. [4] | It comes after a C or better in MATH 21 or placement above MATH 21, and MATH 22 is recommended as preparation. [4] |
Typical high school preparation
We did not find an official source that gives high school course advice for this major, so none is listed. For the high school courses colleges ask for in general, see the College Preparation page.
Related majors
Each card opens that major’s page. Compare the courses before you choose, and confirm each college’s own list.
Information Technology
Penn State's information sciences and technology degree builds an understanding of core information technologies, prepares students to apply information sciences and related technologies in practice, and sharpens their ability to think critically and work in teams. [5]
Computer Science
Computer science is the study of computation, including its principles and foundations, its efficient implementation, its analysis, and its practical use in many different application areas. [6]
Data Science
Data sciences is a field that develops, applies and checks methods, systems and tools for drawing useful knowledge, sound conclusions and actionable insights from large, complex and varied data. [7]
Where this degree can lead with a bachelor’s
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.
Examples from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other careers may need more study after the bachelor’s degree.
Information security analysts
Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. [8]
The median annual wage for information security analysts was $129,180 in May 2025. [8]
Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 21 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [8]
Information security analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in a computer science field, along with related work experience. [8]
Computer network architects
Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and intranets. [9]
The median annual wage for computer network architects was $134,050 in May 2025. [9]
Employment of computer network architects is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [9]
Computer network architects typically need a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field and experience in a related occupation, such as network and computer systems administrators. [9]
Certifications
We list only what an official source states about certifications.
Employers may prefer to hire information security analysts who have professional certification. [8]
Some information security certifications are for workers at the entry level, while others are designed for experienced information security workers. [8]
Certification in specialized areas, such as systems auditing, also is available. [8]
Questions people search
Chosen from our search-question research. Every answer is cited.
What can you do with a cybersecurity degree?
Information security analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in a computer science field, along with related work experience. [8]
Computer network architects typically need a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field and experience in a related occupation, such as network and computer systems administrators. [9]
Do you need certifications for cybersecurity jobs?
Employers may prefer to hire information security analysts who have professional certification. [8]
Some information security certifications are for workers at the entry level, while others are designed for experienced information security workers. [8]
Your next step
Find out where you stand in math and reading today with a free placement test, then fill the gaps one step at a time.
Free for students, teens and adults. No card needed.
Sources
- The Pennsylvania State University. Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/information-sciences-technology/cybersecurity-analytics-operations-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- Joint Task Force on Cybersecurity Education (ACM, IEEE CS, AIS SIGSEC, IFIP WG 11.8). Cybersecurity Curricular Guidelines. https://cybered.hosting.acm.org/wp/. CSEC 2017 guidelines (landing page). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations (CYBER) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/cyber/. University Bulletins, 2026–27 edition. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Information Sciences and Technology (IST) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/ist/. University Bulletins, 2026–27 edition. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Information Sciences and Technology, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/information-sciences-technology/information-sciences-technology-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Computer Science, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/engineering/computer-science-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Data Sciences, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/engineering/data-sciences-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information Security Analysts. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer Network Architects. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.