Cybersecurity Architects

High School

Take as many cybersecurity, software development, and other computer science classes as possible. Some larger towns and cities have specialized computer technical high schools. If you live in an area with such a school, consider enrolling so that you will receive a focused IT education that will better prepare you for college. Communication skills are important in any job, so be sure to take English, speech, writing, and foreign language classes. Other recommended courses include business, mathematics, social studies, psychology, and general science.

Postsecondary Education

Cybersecurity architects typically have bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity, information assurance, data security, computer science, information technology, or another specialized IT field. Some architects—especially those who want to become managers—have master’s degrees in IT management or business management. Visit https://www.cyberseek.org/training.html for a list of colleges and universities and other providers that offer degrees, certificates, and other types of training.

Cybersecurity organizations also offer certificates and degrees in cybersecurity. For example, the SANS Technology Institute (https://www.sans.edu) offers a bachelor’s degree in applied cybersecurity, a master's in cyber security, and graduate-level certificates.

Aspiring cyber architects can obtain cybersecurity training in the armed forces. Visit TodaysMilitary.com to learn more about career paths in cybersecurity.

The online learning provider Udemy (https://www.udacity.com) offers a security architect nanodegree that can be completed in three months (if the student spends 10 hours/week engaged in the program). Students must complete the approximately seven courses.

Certification

Many colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate certificates in cybersecurity, information assurance, cloud security, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and general computer science. Contact schools in your area to learn more.

The SANS Technology Institute (https://www.sans.edu) offers an undergraduate certificate in cybersecurity, as well as graduate certificates in the following areas: cybersecurity management, cloud security, cybersecurity engineering, cyber defense operations, incident response, industrial control systems security, penetration testing and ethical hacking, and purple team operations.

The CERT Division of the Software Engineering Institute offers a software architecture professional certificate and other cybersecurity-related certificate programs. To earn the software architecture professional certificate, students must complete three classes (Software Architecture: Principles and Practices, Software Architecture Design and Analysis, and Documenting Software Architectures) and pass the software architecture: principles and practices exam. Visit https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/credentials for more information.

The E-C Council University offers graduate certificates in enterprise security architect, executive leadership in information assurance, and other fields. Visit https://www.eccu.edu/online-cyber-security-degrees/graduate-certificate-program to learn more.

Other Education or Training

Continuing education (CE) opportunities are offered via in-person classes and conference sessions and webinars. Providers include professional associations, software development companies, postsecondary institutions, and online learning platforms. Pursuing CE is extremely important in the cybersecurity sector because of constantly evolving technology, emerging threats, and other issues. ISC2 members recently ranked the following areas as top areas for continuing education: risk assessment, analysis, and management; artificial intelligence/machine learning; governance, risk management, and compliance; and threat intelligence analysis.