Cyber Security Degree Online in New Mexico

Cyber Security Degree Online in New Mexico

Cyber security degree programs  study the tools and tech to keep digital assets safe. Students curious about the field may find not all NM schools offer them. Of the 44 schools listed by the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard, only 3 have cyber programs in NM. In order of the number of cyber grads for the 2018 school year, these are: 

  • University of New Mexico-Main Campus – 20
  • Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College - 1
  • National American University-Albuquerque West – 1

Online Cyber Security Programs in NM

To meet demand, many schools offer cyber degrees online. These often provide more flexible formats for busy students. Students access courses on a virtual platform and may set their own schedule. For those curious about online cyber security degrees in NM, here are some options. 

University of New Mexico – New Mexico

UNM offers a 100% online MS in Information Systems and Assurance (MS ISA). It is a 33 credit, customized master’s degree program. There are three focal areas available that relate to computer security. (1) Cyber Security and IA, (2) Fraud, White Collar Crime and Digital & Financial Forensics, (3) System and Network Admin Security. 

As a field of study, IS draws from three areas. Management, IT and comp sci. Apart from these topics, the cyber focus studies proactive security. It also spans network design, digital forensics and more.

Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College

ENMU – Ruidoso is an NSA DHS NCAE in Cyber Defense Two Year Education (CAE 2Y. Students here have the choice of immersive online AAS and cyber certificate programs. The AAS in Information Systems (IS) Cyber Security is an intro to both IA and IS. It entails from 63 to 72 credits with courses that follow NSA / DHS guidelines. These classes cover key aspects of IS, information assurance and security. The people, software, hardware, data, security, and communication tech.

National American University - Albuquerque West

NAU offers strategic security programs from associate to PhD levels. One that is available online is the MS in Intelligence Management. A 36 credit program, it looks at Intel, counter Intel, and strategy. Students also study ways to turn Intel into actionable outcomes. 

Using electives, one may tailor their program to a cyber focus. One class in particular covers cyber terrorism, cyber warfare and cyber crime. Of note, NAU also offers bachelor’s degree programs. But these focus more on tech and may not be online. 

Cyber Scholarships in NM

Eligible students may qualify for cyber scholarships in NM. Scholarships are a kind of grant intended to offset the cost of a college or grad degree. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. Some are available through colleges and universities. And others, like the following, are from the New Mexico Higher Education Dept. 

Graduate Scholarship

The aim of the Graduate Scholarship is to boost the number of minority grad students. It is open to US citizens or permanent residents and available at eligible schools. Priority goes to NM students from underrepresented groups who also have the highest need. Applicants must also be US citizens or legal residents. 

In return for a sum of up to $7,200 per year, eligible students must agree to an unpaid intern or assistantship. It takes place at an eligible school, gov’t agency or business. The position must first get the approval of the student’s major dept. Then, it lasts 10 hours per week during the academic year.

New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship

The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship provides tuition and fee aid for students enrolled in two year programs. This includes credit bearing certificate programs in public colleges or Tribal College in NM. 

Eligible applicants are NM residents who are 18 years of age or older. Students must also enroll fulltime in a credit bearing two year program. As part of the application process students must fill and file a FAFSA. And, must keep up a 2.5 GPA.

Wartime Veteran’s Scholarship

The Wartime Veteran’s Scholarship is for resident undergrads and grad students. A state scholarship, it provides tuition, fees and book allowances to eligible students. To qualify, one must be a Military War Veteran certified by the NM Veteran’s Service Commission. Applicants must also be residents of NM and submit their scholarship application to the NM Dept. of Veteran’s Services. 

Along with the form, they must provide a certified copy of their DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. The scholarship amount does not exceed the highest full time undergrad tuition charged at a college or university.

Cyber Workshops, Meetups and Conferences in New Mexico

Cities such as Albuquerque and Santa Fe may host cyber workshops, conferences or meetups. These events may include hands on sessions. Plus, the chance to network and listen to industry experts. 

FloCon 2021

Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute hosts FloCon 2021. Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute hosts FloCon 2021. The conference plans to offer practical and practitioner focused sessions. Slated are online trainings, presentations and keynotes from the security and data analysis sector. To round things out, the event plans to have interactive panels, chats, breakout sessions and virtual vendor demos.

INTERFACE New Mexico

F2F Events Inc hosts the Interface New Mexico conference. INTERFACE TM is a series of educational conferences. The trainings focus on Info Sec, data storage / IT, and business communications. You could earn CPE credits for them by attending the seminars. Last year, the symposium was in Albuquerque. The date and schedule for the next one is not yet available.

ISACA New Mexico Chapter

The Information Systems Audit and Control Assoc. is ISACA. A member org, ISACA offers trainings, events and credentials. Recently, they published a State of Cyber Security Report 2020. And in June, plan a full week virtual training in data analytics. The NM Chapter also sponsors local workshops and meets on a regular basis. 

New Mexico Cyber Security Peer Group

The NMTC Cyber Security Peer Group unites industry pros to share and learn. To do this the group hosts informal lunches and working sessions. There are also two annual signature events. The Women in Tech Celebration takes place each March. And the IT Conference happens in September. 

DC505

DEF CON® Group is a meetup with 299 members. The group includes cyber specialists, ethical hackers, security researchers and analysts. Meetings tend to take place each month but topics vary.

Albuquerque Cyber Security Training

The EC Council organizes the meetups for this public group. So, unlike some groups, these events are not free. An upcoming training is Certified Network Defender (CND). It is a skills based lab program and will take place in Albuquerque, NM.

Cyber Security Jobs in New Mexico

Cyber security jobs in New Mexico may pay above average salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for Info Sec Pros in May 2018 was $106,360. 

Workers in the lowest 10% in the state earned mean annual wages of $67,260. And those in the highest 90% earned mean annual wages of $159,190. When looking for a cyber job in NM, there may be options for a range of skill sets. Here are a few companies that may hire cyber pros in New Mexico. 

BAE Systems

A British multinational defense, security and aerospace company. Also, a federal contractor that may try to fill jobs in Albuquerque, NM.

Honeywell Inc

An American company and federal contractor. Their markets span cyber, aerospace and others and they may hire in Albuquerque, NM.

SAIC

A federal contractor whose markets include cyber, cloud and eng. They may recruit for jobs on White Sands Missile Range in NM.

Los Alamos National Lab

A federal contractor, their mission is to solve national security problems using science. Jobs may be available in Los Alamos, NM. 

Humana Inc

A health insurance company and federal contractor. They may hire skilled cyber pros to protect health data in Albuquerque, NM. 

Sandia National Labs

A Nuclear Security R & D lab and federal contractor. Their corporate offices and larger lab complex is in Albuquerque, NM.

Cyber Security Degrees in New Mexico by College

Colleges in New Mexico offer cyber security degrees at all levels. Associate, bachelor’s, master’s and PhDs. We compiled a list of the schools in NM with cyber security degree programs. Then, put them in order of the number of students who graduated in the 2018 year. Students at these schools major in digital forensics and info assurance / technology.

1

University of New Mexico

1700 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM

MS in Information Systems and Assurance – Cyber Security and Information Assurance

UNM had the highest number (20) of cyber grads in the 2018 school year. The MS ISA program entails 33 credits and students tailor the courses to a cyber focus. Embedded in the study plan are hands on lab projects to practice computer security. Sample classes are: 

  • Information Systems Security – An overview of telecom, cryptography and issues in IS such as hacking
  • Forensic Accounting – Learn about financial investigations, criminal vs civil fraud, process of evidence and basic laws
  • Digital Forensics – An intro to the ideas, methods and tools used to investigate and process evidence from computer crimes
  • Advanced IS Security – About the technical aspects of IS security such as secure communication, concealing data, and wireless network security

More Cyber Degree Programs: 

  • BS in Computer Science (CS)
  • MS in Information Systems and Assurance (ISA) – System and Network Admin Security
  • MS in ISA – Fraud, White Collar Crime and Digital and Financial Forensics
  • PhD in CS 

Scholarships: 

  • VanDyke Software Scholarships 
  • UNM Scholarship for Service Program 

School Features: 

  • ABET accredited BS
  • Online cyber MS 
2

Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College

709 Mechem Dr, Ruidoso, NM

AAS in Information Systems Security Cyber Security

ENMU Ruidoso ties for the second highest number (1) of cyber grads in the 2018 school year. This program entails 63 to 72 credits. It is an intro to information security, info assurance (IA) and the uses in global orgs. Sample classes are: 

  • Info Systems Security – Apply skills to plan, analyze, develop, apply and keep up IS security programs
  • CIA of Information Systems – Learn how to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of systems, networks and data
  • Risk – Understand how to lessen risks as well as plan and recover form disasters
  • Ethical Issues – Study the ethical concerns that IS raises in society and the impact they have on crime, terrorism and war

More Cyber Degree Programs: 

  • Computer and Network Security Certification Program
  • AAS in Information Systems
  • Computer and Network Security Certification Apprenticeship Program

Scholarships: 

  • ENMU-Ruidoso Scholarships 

School Features: 

  • Cyber Competitions 
3

National American University-Albuquerque West

10131 Coors Blvd, Suite I-01, Albuquerque, NM

MS in Intelligence Management

NAU Albuquerque West ties for the second highest number (1) of cyber grads in the 2018 school year. This 36 credit program focuses on Intel, counter Intel, tactics and operations. Through electives one can add on cyber specific topics. Sample classes are: 

  • Cyberterrorism, Cyber Warfare, Cybercrime – Identify all the ways terrorists and criminals use computers and also, how to devise plans and counter measures
  • Computer Defense – Explore the effects of hacking as you study ways to fend off specific types of breaches
  • Computer Defense – Explore the effects of hacking as you study ways to fend off specific types of breaches
  • Double Agents, Denial and Deception – Learn about core concepts and principles that double agents use to lie and cause harm

More Cyber Degree Programs: 

  • AS in Information Technology (IT)
  • BS in IT 
  • BS, MS in Strategic Security and Protection Management 
  • PhD in Strategic Security 
  • Cyber Certificates 

Scholarships: 

  • NAU Scholarships 

School Features: 

  • Online Cyber AS, BS, MS