The use of the internet keeps increasing day by day, which ultimately demands more and more online data security, or you may say that, cybersecurity. And this fact demands more and more cybersecurity professionals. To keep in mind, the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals, universities consider it a new subject and offer several undergraduate, graduate, and master’s degrees. Not only this, but several institutes also offer short and long cybersecurity certificates. And in the following piece of writing, we will throw light on a cybersecurity certificate Vs a cybersecurity degree.
This comparison will help you understand the worth of both these credentials and help you choose them according to your job requirement. So let’s navigate this article.
Cybersecurity Certificate Vs Cybersecurity Degrees:
Before getting into the proper comparison of both these credentials, let’s have a look at them separately.
Cybersecurity Certificates:
These certificates are based on particular courses that target only specific aspects and topics of cybersecurity. However, these courses could consist of a few weeks to a maximum of one year. Moreover, several cybersecurity certificates don’t demand higher education to enroll.
You can enroll yourself in such certified courses at your undergraduate and graduate levels. From this, we can conclude that these courses do not have similar enrollment requirements. As some of the cybersecurity courses require only basic computer knowledge, while some require minimum grades to enroll and get cybersecurity certificates.
Cybersecurity Degrees:
Like many other subjects, you can get your undergraduate and a graduate degree in cybersecurity. In these degrees, you will have cybersecurity as your major subject, and these degrees will help you to become a cybersecurity professional.
Not only this, but these degrees help you to secure a permanent position in the cybersecurity field. However, suppose you think that you can get in cybersecurity only after getting cybersecurity degrees. In that case, you are wrong, as you can get an entry-level cybersecurity job with certifications only.
Is a Master in Cybersecurity Better Than Certification?
A Master’s degree is higher than the undergraduate degree in which you master your major subject, and at that level, you only have to study your major. So if you are getting a master’s degree in cybersecurity, then basically, you are mastering every single skill and aspect related to cybersecurity.
And this knowledge about your major will lead you to the best-ranked positions in the cybersecurity profession. Not only this, but with this credential, you would be able to secure a permanent job in this area.
While, with certifications, no doubt you will be able to secure an entry-level job, with only certificates, you would not be able to secure high ranked job with a permanent position. As we know that technology keeps evolving day by day. Moreover, you must deal with new technology regularly, which is impossible only with certified courses.
As certified courses teach you only specific cybersecurity-related content. That is why no doubt, having a master’s degree is better than a cybersecurity certification.
Read Also: Does Cybersecurity Require Coding?
How to Get into Cybersecurity Without a Degree?
No doubt, to get into a profession, you need to have proper credentials for it. These credentials represent our intellectual measure of a profession and let us have enough knowledge to fulfill the demand of that profession.
Moreover, these credentials could be related to degrees and certificates in cybersecurity to get into that profession. But, can we enter into the cybersecurity profession without a degree? As having a degree could cost you money and time.
If you are also wondering about that question, let me tell you that you can get an entry-level cybersecurity job even without a degree in that profession. For it, you just have to get certificates related to cybersecurity.
And these certificates will not cost you high money and time. You can get such certificates by doing certified cybersecurity-related courses that only cover specific aspects of cybersecurity. So you can get an entry-level job in that particular niche of the cybersecurity profession.
Pros and Cons of Earning a Cybersecurity Certificate?
Before discussing this topic, let me clarify that having a degree or a certificate in any profession will lead you to the respective opportunities. Both credentials have their worth and depend upon an individual need.
Pros of Having a Cybersecurity Degree:
A cybersecurity degree will open permanent doors for high-ranked cybersecurity positions. And this is also the biggest motivation to get a cybersecurity degree. Not only this, but you will also be able to get a high salary after a degree in cybersecurity.
Pros of Having Cybersecurity Certificates:
Having only cybersecurity certificates will also lead you to an entry-level job in the cybersecurity profession. Not only this, but cybersecurity certificates will also cost you less money and time. As you can get such certificates for only a few dollars. Unlike a cybersecurity degree, cybersecurity certificates consist of only weeks to a few months.
Cons of Having a Cybersecurity Degree:
A cybersecurity degree will cost you a lot of time and money. As you have to spend your four years to get your undergraduate degree, and even it costs you more years if you want to get your master’s degree in cybersecurity. Not only this, but getting a cybersecurity degree will cost you a hefty amount of your time.
Cons of Having Cybersecurity Certificates:
Cybersecurity certificates will not cost you a hefty amount of time, but only cybersecurity certifications will not provide you high a ranked position in the cybersecurity profession. And ultimately, this will lead you a less secure future and low income.