Cyber Security Degrees in Arizona

Cyber Security Degrees in Arizona

Cyber security degree programs aim to help students who want to work in tech and security. If you have an interest in the field, you may find a few schools that offer it. In Arizona, there are 100 colleges, as per the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. Only 7 of them have a cyber security degree in Arizona. These are the 7 schools based on how many students graduate with cyber degrees:

• University of Phoenix – Arizona – 78 grads
• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Prescott – 18
• South Mountain Community College – 9
• Cochise County Community College – 8 
• Estrella Mountain Community College – 8 
• Glendale Community College – 3
• Arizona Western College – 2

Online Cyber Security Degree Programs in Arizona 

Cyber security is a field that is internet based. As a result, some schools offer their programs fully online. This can be very helpful to students. You could work full time jobs while going to school to earn their degree. They can meet duties with family while still going to school. They often offer self paced education, which lets you learn as you can and want to do so. In Arizona, these are the programs that offer fully online cyber security degree programs: 

The University of Phoenix – AZ

The U of Phoenix – Arizona offers a B.S. in Cyber Security degree. This program is able to be completed fully online. This is a four year track in which students will complete 120 credit hours of course work. Students will take one five week course at a time. The program includes math and science as it relates to cyber domains and risk. The school has other cyber related programs as well, like an A.A. in IT and A.A. in IT with an Advanced Cyber Security Cert. While these are not ranked programs, they offer an all inclusive program of study to help prep students for a role in a cyber security job.

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Prescott 

Another fully online program is at Embry Riddle. One of the programs is a M.S. in Info Sec & Assurance. Students will learn the skills to develop, and protect info and resources. This means to protect business intel, info assurance, and info systems sec, among other topics. The school also offers many courses and certs. This includes a grad cert in Aviation Cyber Security Management & Policy and a B.S. in Cyber Intelligence & Security.

Cyber Security Degree Hybrid Programs 

Some schools, like the ones below, offer a hybrid learning format. In these schools, students can learn online for some of the courses and will use on campus learning as well. This type of hybrid learning can be helpful to students who want some freedom but also want to remain on campus. 

Estrella Mountain

Estrella Mountain is a school that has some access to cyber security. It has an A.A.S. in Cyber Security. This program aims to teach students about legal, ethical, and practical skills in how to maintain cyber security for orgs and gov’t orgs. Students may earn many certs of completion during their course work, like Cyber security Fundamentals, Linux System Admin, Cisco Networking CCNA Security, and Cyber Engineering.

Glendale Community College

Glendale has hybrid learning for students. It offers an A.A.S. in Cyber security. This program is designed to teach theoretical and practical skills in IT and protection. Students may graduate with many certs of completion like in Power Systems, Cisco Networking CCNA Security, and Linux System Admin.

Cyber Scholarships in AZ

For those who seek a cyber security degree in Arizona, there are some scholarships available. Financial assistance is also available for most on a needs based or merit based basis. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. Some AZ scholarships are:

AFCEA Cyber Studies & Intelligence Scholarships

The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, along with a partnership with Lockheed Martin and Powertek, created a $5,000 undergrad scholarship for students in cyber security, comp sci, and intel. The AFCEA Cyber Studies & Intelligence Scholarships are open to students with an overall GPA of 3.0 that have a financial need, but also support the country’s cyber enterprises. 

AZSecure Cyber security Fellowship Program

The AZSecure Cyber security Fellowship Program gives students up to a $20,000 scholarship for undergrad studies and up to $25,000 for master’s studies in the area of cyber security. Students need to maintain a GPA of 3.0 and reside in the state of AZ, plus pass back ground checks to obtain this scholarship. It is highly competitive with many apps each year. Students should show a back ground or course work in cyber security.   

DigiCert Internet Security Scholarship

For students that enter any cyber security college program, there is the DigiCert Internet Security Scholarship. It gives $1,000 each year to students who have a least a 2.5 GPA who enroll full time in an accredited program in the U.S. Students need to write an essay to be considered. The essay should focus on where the student sees security in the next five years, and any aspect of internet security. 

Harold F. Tipton Memorial Scholarship

The Harold F. Tipton Memorial Scholarship pays homage to the man of the same name who is thought to be an influential security pro who served as the CBK Committee Chair. It gives cyber students $5,000 each year. It is in partnership with the International Information System Security Certification Consortium. Students must attend a four year program at a U.S. school to qualify and maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 to maintain it. This scholarship program requires a statement of purpose, character references, and certified transcripts to apply. 

The (ISC)2 Foundation Graduate Scholarship

Students who enter a grad program may be able to qualify for the (ISC)2 Foundation Graduate Scholarship, which gives $3,000 to 8 students each year who are in their first or second year of study within a master’s or a PhD program. You must be studying info sec, assurance, computer security, or internet security to qualify. You must also hold a GPA of at least 3.5 and show a need for financial support. This is also a program that requires interviews, a statement of purpose, and a character reference letter.  

Microsoft Cyber security Essay Scholarship

Students in AZ may benefit from one of the most well known names in comp sci through this scholarship. The Microsoft Cyber Security Essay Scholarship gives students $2,000, $3,000, or $5,000 for their cyber security degree program. It is given to just three students each year who are enrolled in an accredited program with a focus on internet security. It requires writing a 5 to 15 page essay that will discuss their predictions for cyber security issues of 2025, which requires intensive original research on cyber space. It’s designed to help form public policy. 

Richard E. Merwin Student Scholarship

This scholarship was designed to pay homage to Richard E. Merwin, who was the past president of the IEEE Computer Society. The Richard E. Merwin Student Scholarship provides students with $1000 for each year of their education in an upper level undergrad or in a grad program. It is for areas of comp sci, cyber, IT, computer engineering, or a similar field. Students will be required to maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 and be enrolled in an accredited school in the U.S. They will need to show academic achievement, have letters of recommendation, outline career goals, and show participation in IEEE activities to qualify. 

Cyber Workshops and Conferences in Arizona 

Yearly and even more frequent workshops give students the chance to connect. These are not just for students in the cyber security degree program, but also professionals. They provide a chance for these pros to learn the very latest in cyber security.  

SecureCISO Phoenix

As one of the largest events attended by cyber security pros in the region, this program is designed to bring together leaders and practitioners looking for the latest insight. It offers round table discussions, networking, and keynote speakers. This yearly event is held in Phoenix.  

Phoenix Cyber security Conference

This yearly event hosts keynote speakers and a seminar like lineup to allow local professionals to network and build on advanced skills. The program has been in place since 1999, which is why so many field leaders attend each year. 

HTCIA Conference

An international conference, the High Technology Crime Investigation Association’s conference is one sought after by those seeking advanced industry knowledge. It is one of the oldest of these programs and its focus is on tools and strategies leading global cyber security. 

IT Security Leadership Exchange

This yearly event in Phoenix is created and managed by the CyberRisk Alliance. Its content involves tools and solutions, with speakers and presentations by invited guests. It is meant for business leaders and anyone else involved in cyber security solutions. This event is designed to be a sharing of ideas across the industry as a whole. 

Cyber Security Summit

This event takes place in Scottsdale. It is a yearly event that tours the country. This summit features solution providers and partners, many speakers in the field, and hands on demos and presentations. Those in attendance will also have the chance to break into groups and network with leaders in the field.  

Arizona Technology Summit

A leading tech focused event, this summit provides a chance for those who have an interest in networking solutions and researching. There are many presentations and exhibitors available. It occurs yearly in September. Networking chances are available through out this event as well. 

Hardware and Architectural Support for Security and Privacy (HASP)

Framed as a workshop, this hands on event is designed to provide students with the chance to learn critical cyber security and tech solutions for modern systems. It brings together developers, researchers, and practitioners in education and the industry to discuss the aspects of the industry as it relates to hardware and architectural supported.  

Arizona Digital Government Summit

The goal of this summit is to focus on innovation in the area of cyber security and digital tech as it relates to the public sector. It educates on digital gov’t trends, gov’t cyber security, cloud services, data and analytics, and emergency tech with a focus on state and local gov’ts. This event involves keynote speakers as well as gov’t attendees, tech discussions, and courses. Networking breaks are offered. 

Cyber Security Jobs in Arizona 

In Arizona, the annual mean wage for cyber security careers as of May of 2018 was $93,370, as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students with a degree can find cyber security jobs in numerous companies and orgs in Arizona. The state has a growing IT industry and many large businesses, all of which need advanced cyber security pros. Some of the companies to consider are: 

Honeywell

A federal contractor that provides a range of safety products for residential and commercial buyers. Some of its solutions include advanced security solutions for business and gov’t. It is a leader in smart tech for security, both online and offline. 

CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc.

This company is an IT service management company. It provides data base and internet connectivity support for a range of companies and gov’t agencies. Its focus is on infrastructure, consulting, and integration technologies.  

Banner Health

Another federal contractor, this is a non profit health system. As is of growing importance, many health orgs in AZ are now focused on having internal technical support. Banner Health provides infrastructure, prevention solutions, and mitigation teams across the solutions it offers. 

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is a large, int’l financial institution with its own in house cyber security and computer security teams. The company, which is also a federal contractor, has an AZ based team to handle the company’s fast technology infrastructure.  

Deloitte

As one of the largest of software engineering and computer systems providers, Deloitte, a federal contractor, handles a great deal of consulting and support services for AZ businesses. Its services are far reaching and include audits, consulting, enterprise risk management, and financial advising. 

Northrop Grumman

Recognized as a leader in aerospace and defense tech, Northrop Grumman is one of the largest federal contractors in the cyber security field. It is a weapons manufacturer and military tech provider with AZ based offices.  

Cyber Security Degrees in Arizona by College 

There is a lot that goes into choosing a cyber security degree program in Arizona. Quality of education matters. Take a look at the top 10 schools based on grads and available programs for the 2018 school year.