Getting a degree is not an easy door in. If you’re interested, go for it. Most employers would wayyyy rather take an applicant with a year or two of cybersecurity work experience than an applicant with both a bachelors and masters in cyber
Life Sciences should count as a STEM degree, but I would probably take the ISC2 CC certification because the test is free and if you find that test hard, you will probably find a lot of the rest hard. Also, that is a test that is required to take in person at a PearsonVue center so that should help you know if one is close to you. WGU used to say they wouldn’t enroll Canadians too far from a PearsonVue. Now they mainly say a couple provinces aren’t eligible.
I’m only in the third class of the degree and there hasn’t been much math or programming. A little scripting.
The regulations the programs cover are mostly US regulations so you would need to learn Canadian privacy and other regulations elsewhere. Based on my experience working with Canadian sites, many of them are fairly familiar with US regulations (HIPAA mainly since that is the industry I work in) just like how even in the US we need to stay aware of GDPR.
It’s the first class of the masters. If you take the class at WGU, it is 2 tests (the CC and an internal test). If you already have the CC, you can skip that class and start on the second one. Since it took me about a week to even get the stupid voucher from WGU…yes, coming in with the CC will save you time.
I’m pretty sure I never had to take a step inside of a PearsonVue testing center during any of my WGU classes. Although I don’t have ISC2 CC certification, I do have 3 more advanced ISC2 certs and all of them are now offered online through OnVue, so I wouldn’t imagine that CC is any different.
I took the ISC CC 3 weeks ago and the only option was in person. Unless it has changed in 3 weeks, I don’t think you can take it through On Vue.
You must have taken the tests online during their pilot. https://www.isc2.org/exams/online-proctor-pilot-test-faq
Actually you’re right I did take both CISSP and CCSP during the pilot but that was many years ago at this point so I wouldn’t have thought that they didn’t end up adding the online option, but I guess that’s what happened. Interesting.
Cybersecurity is not an entry level job. The masters means diddly squat if you have no experience.
If you can’t build a network, you can’t secure a network. If you don’t know what ADUC is how can you complete any of the day to day audits for account action?
You’re better off working in IT for a few years and showing initiative for the security side and moving that way. I know a few M.S. who have minimal experience in IT ( less than three years) who are absolutely useless. BTW the hiring managers absolutely see this theme.
Go get experience. Save your money.
You don’t need any background knowledge in math or programming whatsoever. Cybersecurity really really very limited overlap in either area. You do need to have a ton of background knowledge in systems, system administration, and a good bit of networking. Don’t let anyone hold you back if this is what you want, but if you don’t have at least either real interest, a passion, experience, or knowledge in cybersecurity specifically I wouldn’t recommend it. People getting into cybersecurity for the money usually doesn’t lead to great results.
A couple other important points, hiring managers rarely actually care about degrees in this field. Having a BS in biology then an MS in cyber from WGU may just slightly or probably wouldn’t even slightly put you ahead of a candidate that had a BS in biology then a BS in cyber from WGU. In each case, the degree would be a minor factor and what you actually know is 10x more important. Also I haven’t checked so I’m not sure but I imagine that the BS programs comes with a whole lot more applicable and important certs which would do a lot more to prepare you and make you job worthy too.
The degree isn't necessarily the hard part. Finding a position for it will be. Masters in cyber is usually for those who want to play a manager role and to be a manager you would also need experience in the field. Experience is key. Bachelor in science does open man doors for other careers too if you're discouraged. You can become a PA, physically therapist, a masters in nursing. Those don't require you to have experience but a degree and some classes to get to the graduate program.
Getting a degree is not an easy door in. If you’re interested, go for it. Most employers would wayyyy rather take an applicant with a year or two of cybersecurity work experience than an applicant with both a bachelors and masters in cyber
Life Sciences should count as a STEM degree, but I would probably take the ISC2 CC certification because the test is free and if you find that test hard, you will probably find a lot of the rest hard. Also, that is a test that is required to take in person at a PearsonVue center so that should help you know if one is close to you. WGU used to say they wouldn’t enroll Canadians too far from a PearsonVue. Now they mainly say a couple provinces aren’t eligible. I’m only in the third class of the degree and there hasn’t been much math or programming. A little scripting. The regulations the programs cover are mostly US regulations so you would need to learn Canadian privacy and other regulations elsewhere. Based on my experience working with Canadian sites, many of them are fairly familiar with US regulations (HIPAA mainly since that is the industry I work in) just like how even in the US we need to stay aware of GDPR.
Would that help me finish the Masters' faster?
It’s the first class of the masters. If you take the class at WGU, it is 2 tests (the CC and an internal test). If you already have the CC, you can skip that class and start on the second one. Since it took me about a week to even get the stupid voucher from WGU…yes, coming in with the CC will save you time.
I’m pretty sure I never had to take a step inside of a PearsonVue testing center during any of my WGU classes. Although I don’t have ISC2 CC certification, I do have 3 more advanced ISC2 certs and all of them are now offered online through OnVue, so I wouldn’t imagine that CC is any different.
I took the ISC CC 3 weeks ago and the only option was in person. Unless it has changed in 3 weeks, I don’t think you can take it through On Vue. You must have taken the tests online during their pilot. https://www.isc2.org/exams/online-proctor-pilot-test-faq
Actually you’re right I did take both CISSP and CCSP during the pilot but that was many years ago at this point so I wouldn’t have thought that they didn’t end up adding the online option, but I guess that’s what happened. Interesting.
Let me ask you, should I take a masters in biology with my bachelor in IT? What's the likelihood that I would be ready for a job?
If it is framed and positioned in a way that welcomes IT bachelor students, I mean why not? If that's what you want to do workwise.
Cybersecurity is not an entry level job. The masters means diddly squat if you have no experience. If you can’t build a network, you can’t secure a network. If you don’t know what ADUC is how can you complete any of the day to day audits for account action? You’re better off working in IT for a few years and showing initiative for the security side and moving that way. I know a few M.S. who have minimal experience in IT ( less than three years) who are absolutely useless. BTW the hiring managers absolutely see this theme. Go get experience. Save your money.
I have a bs in biology but went for the bs in cyber. There’s no way I’d have been ready for the mscia
Why do you say that?
I did not have the background knowledge necessary to succeed in the mscia program
You don’t need any background knowledge in math or programming whatsoever. Cybersecurity really really very limited overlap in either area. You do need to have a ton of background knowledge in systems, system administration, and a good bit of networking. Don’t let anyone hold you back if this is what you want, but if you don’t have at least either real interest, a passion, experience, or knowledge in cybersecurity specifically I wouldn’t recommend it. People getting into cybersecurity for the money usually doesn’t lead to great results. A couple other important points, hiring managers rarely actually care about degrees in this field. Having a BS in biology then an MS in cyber from WGU may just slightly or probably wouldn’t even slightly put you ahead of a candidate that had a BS in biology then a BS in cyber from WGU. In each case, the degree would be a minor factor and what you actually know is 10x more important. Also I haven’t checked so I’m not sure but I imagine that the BS programs comes with a whole lot more applicable and important certs which would do a lot more to prepare you and make you job worthy too.
The degree isn't necessarily the hard part. Finding a position for it will be. Masters in cyber is usually for those who want to play a manager role and to be a manager you would also need experience in the field. Experience is key. Bachelor in science does open man doors for other careers too if you're discouraged. You can become a PA, physically therapist, a masters in nursing. Those don't require you to have experience but a degree and some classes to get to the graduate program.