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Cybersecurity

Contact

Ramapo College Office of Admissions

McBride House 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430

p: (201) 684-7300
e: admissions@ramapo.edu
f: (201) 684-7964

About Cybersecurity

Do you enjoy solving problems? Interested in Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics or Information Technology? Want to use your programming powers for good? If so, you should consider majoring in Cybersecurity. Cybersecurity experts protect and defend software, systems and networks, ultimately safeguarding people in the digital realm.

Cybersecurity Roles

With the increase in cyberattacks, malware and hacking, along with a huge labor shortage in the field, there is a high demand for cybersecurity professionals. Organizations have a range of positions they need to fill. This includes roles such as computer forensic analysts, who have the knowledge and skills to recover data from devices and systems which, at times, may involve police investigations in cybercrimes. Network security engineers secure networks and protect data traveling from computer to computer over the internet. While machine learning engineers create algorithms for artificial intelligence to identify and defend against cyberattacks.

What You’ll Learn

The bachelor of science in Cybersecurity major is interdisciplinary, with the curriculum designed for students to develop their skills in programming, computer architecture, networking and cryptography. Foundational courses will ensure your understanding of security protocols, principles of information technology, as well as ethical and legal issues pertaining to computing technology and security. The training in this major will enable you to apply your knowledge in the real world, identifying and assessing cyber threats, vulnerabilities, testing and defending against common cyberattacks and more.



Classes you can take:

See Full Program Requirements

Career Opportunities

A bachelor of science in Cybersecurity prepares students for the rapidly changing technology field. Students will acquire broad knowledge, applicable not just to a current trend, but to all of the critical skills required of the larger field.

Cybersecurity is becoming a priority at both the corporations we work within and in our personal lives. Dice.com reports that for every 100 cybersecurity positions open, there are 69 available professionals to fill the positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights cybersecurity as an occupations grouping “much faster than average,” with a projected growth of 33% from 2023-2033. The average salary for cybersecurity professionals is over $110,000/yr. October has even been designated Cybersecurity Awareness Month by the National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Sample Job Titles and National Salary Ranges

Job TitleSalary Range
Computer OccupationsNo Salary Data
Information Security Analysts$89,570 - $182,630
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$59,240 - $169,970
$64,280 - $174,370
Computer Programmers$73,000 - $185,520
Computer Occupations, All Other$39,400 - $182,800
Computer Systems Analysts$70,640 - $179,530
Computer and Information AnalystsNo Salary Data
Computer and Information Research Scientists$67,060 - $204,140
Database and Network Administrators and ArchitectsNo Salary Data
Computer Network Architects$93,920 - $202,220
Computer Support SpecialistsNo Salary Data
Computer Network Support Specialists$50,400 - $131,970
Computer User Support Specialists$44,010 - $101,210
$64,350 - $166,100
Software and Web Developers, Programmers, and TestersNo Salary Data
$68,790 - $167,060
$43,210 - $149,720
Mathematical Science OccupationsNo Salary Data
Actuaries$79,820 - $218,060
Mathematicians$66,020 - $175,970
Operations Research Analysts$65,400 - $158,500
Statisticians$72,610 - $173,900

* Sources of Information: United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024). For more information about careers and assistance in making your career plans, please contact Career Services (cahill@ramapo.edu) or visit www.ramapo.edu/careercenter/.

Hands-On Learning

All students working towards a bachelor of science in Cybersecurity are required to complete a capstone project, which is a hands-on experience involving large scale project development (CMPS 450). Some examples of senior projects that a Cybersecurity major might undertake include:

  • Develop a tool to scan for vulnerabilities in web applications or servers
  • Build a basic firewall that filters and monitors network traffic
  • Create a decentralized identity verification system using blockchain technology
  • Design a tool that automates common penetration testing tasks, generating security reports with important statistics

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