Some Highline students are learning to play it safe. 

That’s safe as in cybersafe. Highline offers a BAS in Cybersecurity and Forensics for students who want to work in the information security field. The program provides students with in-demand skills needed to identify and respond to cyber threats and protect computer networks.

The job outlook for careers in cybersecurity and forensics is also on the rise. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts have a projected job growth rate of 33 percent from 2020 to 2030. This growth is likely the result of an increasing number of cyberattacks and an increasing need for organizations to protect their data.

Additionally, the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (or (ISC)²) estimates a shortfall of 1.5 million cybersecurity professionals worldwide. This deficit leads to understaffed security teams which can magnify the risks and consequences of potential cyberattacks.

Consequently, information security analysts can expect competitive salaries for their coveted expertise. For example, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for information security analysts was $103,590 in 2020.

Dr. Emma Kong of Highline’s CIS Department said that high salary opportunities are available locally as well.

“For Washington state, the salary is higher than the national average,” said Kong. “So, the projections for jobs in our major will be very promising.”

Dr. Tanya Powers, associate dean for BAS and Workforce Pathways, hopes that Highline’s cybersecurity program will help prepare students to join the lucrative field and fill some of the gaps in the security workforce.

“Almost all of the work that we do is online, whether that’s academic or professional work, or financial information,” said Dr. Powers. “It’s more important now than ever to be able to trust the systems that we use and know that our information is safe.”

The BAS in Cybersecurity and Forensics degree teaches students how to uphold these standards through careful analysis and investigation of networks, cloud deployments, and desktop or mobile devices. Students also learn about big data analytics and database security, which is done on the cloud. Finally, students are taught to navigate the various legal and ethical standards of the industry.

Dr. Emma Kong said that Highline’s cyber professors are competent and effective.

“For CIS, especially for the BAS programs, we have an excellent faculty with a lot of industry experience and certificates,” said Kong.

Moreover, Highline is a Center of Academic Excellence under the National Security Agency (NSA). Institutions with this designation are recognized as meeting rigorous academic standards and preparing students with the necessary skills to work in national security positions.

To join this bachelor’s program, students are required to have a strong technical background. Eligible students must have completed a regionally accredited associate of applied science degree (or its equivalent) in web design, web development, network security engineering, digital forensics and investigation, or a related field. Students must also have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

Dr. Amelia Phillips, BAS program coordinator for Cybersecurity and Forensics, said this kind of background is important. In particular, she recommends having a foundation in hardware, networks, forensics, and Linux.

“One of the interesting things that we’ve found in earlier years, as people started transferring in from other colleges, is that a lot of them did not know any Linux,” said Dr. Phillips. “In order to do a lot of our classes, if you don’t have a Linux background, you’re not going to be successful.”

This is because Highline’s curriculum centers on using platforms such as Kali Linux and Linux servers.

However, Dr. Tanya Powers said that newer students should not be discouraged from entering the cybersecurity and forensics field if they are truly passionate about the subject matter. Today, some people enrolled in the program include those who have degrees in other disciplines and are making major career changes.

“Anybody who is interested in cybersecurity should consider it,” said Dr. Powers. “Qualities that help students succeed are a desire to learn and to put in the work.”

Upon graduation, students who successfully complete the program will have earned 180 credits. 90 credits will come from the BAS program itself, and the remaining 90 credits will come from the AAS degree prerequisite.

Afterwards, the job opportunities for graduates are innumerable.

“There’s no place that you couldn’t get a job at,” said Dr. Amelia Phillips. “What we try to do is give everyone a broad base. That way, students get into a job and they know how to read a network log or detect a security breach. They may not know the particular tool that the company uses, but they can learn it very easily because they’ve got the foundation.”

Having a transferable skill set also means students can find employment opportunities in many different settings, ranging from banks, architectural firms, or hospitals.

“There are a lot of things that people don’t think of that involve IT security. Think about, just with COVID, how is it that I was able to get my booster shot at Highline, but it shows up in my doctor’s office when I come in a week later? Think about all the information that’s out there,” said Dr. Phillips. “That is what cybersecurity and forensics is all about.”

To apply to the program or learn more about the curriculum, you can contact Dr. Amelia Phillips, aphillips@highline.edu, or Dr. Emma Kong, ekong@highline.edu, or visit https://appliedbachelorsapp.highline.edu/.