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Key Skills Taught in USD’s MS in Cyber Security Engineering Program

Thursday, September 19, 2024

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How can an online MS in cyber security from the US boost your career? Discover the key skills taught in USD’s cyber security engineering program.


Online MS in Cyber Security from USD: Skills You’ll Learn

Online cyber security programs are quickly gaining popularity among students and working professionals in today’s rapidly-evolving digital landscape. Let’s understand why!

According to studies, between 2200 to 4000 Cyber attacks occur daily, which means there is a cyber attack in action while you’re reading this blog. Additionally, sources predict that the cost of cybercrime for companies worldwide is going to reach a whopping $10.5 trillion per year by 2025.

These statistics point towards a simple yet prominent fact—the threat of cybercrime and cyber attacks loom large across all digital businesses and users. The only way to dissuade this threat is by investing heavily in cyber security products and manpower.

Government organizations, large corporations, and SMEs are all becoming aware of the looming threat and are taking precautions to avoid becoming cyber attack victims. But there’s one major issue curbing effective defense against cyber crime—lack of skilled manpower. There are 3.5 million unfilled jobs in cyber security in 2024. The demand-supply gap is not predicted to be filled anytime soon.

For this reason, an online MS in cyber security from the US is growing in popularity among students and professionals worldwide. The good news? The University of San Diego offers a master’s in cyber security engineering program, which is 100% online and tailored for Indian residents. Keep reading to discover all the in-demand skills you acquire with our online cyber security degree program.

USD’s MS in Cyber Security Engineering: What will you learn?

Completing the master’s in cyber security engineering program by USD provides you with in-depth knowledge and equips you with the skills needed by cyber security professionals to effectively perform their jobs. The program focuses on the engineering aspects of software and hardware security, equipping graduates with the knowledge to tackle security challenges faced by governments, businesses, and communities.

Some of the primary focus-area subjects for the program include:
  • Applied cryptography
  • Secure network engineering
  • Security test engineering
  • Incident detection

MS in Cyber Security Engineering at USD: Key Skills & Courses

The 24-month-long (6 terms) online MS in Cyber Security Engineering curriculum at USD is divided into four major components. The program starts with an orientation course, spanning over a term. Foundational courses follow next, and students gain advanced foundational knowledge in cyber security for another term. The next three terms are spent studying the core courses, which form the crux of the program. The last part of the program comprises capstone courses, where students put to practical application all that they learn throughout the program.

Let’s take a look at the details of each so you know exactly what skills you acquire by pursuing the program:

Orientation Course

This course is designed to help new students get familiar with all the tools and resources needed during the length of the program. The course can be used as a focal point for the entirety of the online cyber security degree program. In addition to learning about the university and the details of the program, students are also able to navigate the learning environment and access helpful resources with ease.

Foundational Courses

The foundational courses comprise three subjects designed to build a strong base and theoretical knowledge of cyber security and information systems in students. The courses include:
  1. Computational Roots of Cybersecurity: In this course, you get an advanced introduction to software systems and gain in-depth knowledge about computer programming, computer architecture, and different types of operating systems.
  2. Introduction of Cybersecurity Concepts and Tools: While focusing on theoretical knowledge, this course helps students gain practical skills to handle cybersecurity challenges effectively. You learn the basics of cybersecurity, including what ‘security’ means for a system or machine. You get acquainted with various cybersecurity threats, risks, and vulnerabilities while analyzing and critically assessing conventional cybersecurity methods.
    Additionally, you gain hands-on experience with networking, operating systems, and security testing tools. Students then use whatever they have learned in virtually simulated environments. Finally, students are required to assemble a penetration-testing cyber security Sandbox with multiple virtual machines that are to be used in subsequent courses.
  3. Cybersecurity Network Defense: This course teaches students the basic concepts of securing computer networks. Key topics covered in the course include planning, architecture, system design and deployment, risk assessment, and identification of network security threats. You can practice what you have learned by performing network security testing on the cyber security Sandbox created in the previous course. 

Core Courses

These six courses comprise the major crux of the program:

  1. Cybersecurity Domain: This course builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired in the course titled ‘Introduction to Cybersecurity Concepts and Tools’. Students take a deep dive and gain advanced knowledge about threats, vulnerabilities, and risks in systems from a cybersecurity perspective. The course also teaches cybersecurity frameworks and how to effectively implement them to manage risks. Students get to engage in testing activities within their designated cyber security Sandbox.
  2. Applied Cryptography: This course helps students to build a strong foundational knowledge of modern cryptography and its application. Additionally, students learn about common cryptographic methods, pseudorandom number generators, and encryption techniques. You also learn to assess and apply cryptographic systems to defend against attacks and vulnerabilities. Practical sessions and projects are conducted within the cyber security Sandbox.
  3. Secure System Life Cycle: This course teaches you effective strategies that strengthen a computer system’s ability to enforce security measures and policies from its inception and throughout its development lifecycle.
  4. Secure Network Engineering: This course takes a deep dive into the designing process of secure and sustainable networks to prevent attacks and mitigate risks. It comprises lessons on making networks more secure, setting up advanced security tools like Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), and keeping Cloud Computing secure. Students check their network setups using the cyber security Sandbox.
  5. Security Test Engineering: This course teaches students to evaluate and assess the security of computer systems and networks. It teaches how to configure and establish tests based on the security requirements. You’ll learn different approaches to testing security, such as static, dynamic, vulnerability, and penetration testing. 
  6. Incident Detection & Handling: In this course, students are taught about various methods to ensure the functionality of secure systems in contested environments. Through a series of lectures, laboratory sessions, and projects, students learn the techniques for detecting, responding to, and recovering from security breaches. Projects conducted during the course make use of the cyber security Sandbox.

An online MS in cyber security from the US is now just a click away. Get your master’s in cyber security engineering from a top-ranked U.S. university within 2 years from the comfort of your home. Apply today!

Capstone Courses

The capstone courses focus on research and teach students the application of their learnings throughout the program. This part of the program is divided between two courses:
  1. Cyber Engineering Research 1: In this course, students are introduced to case study, within which they are introduced to a multi-domain global enterprise in need of cyber security support to ensure that its security is up to date. Students then work in a virtual environment and apply their learnings to execute the project.
  2. Cyber Engineering Research 2: Research 2 extends the implementation of the capstone case study introduced in the previous course. Students continue their cyber security support for a multinational enterprise's security enhancement.



They apply the knowledge and skills they have learned throughout the curriculum. As per the case study, the class is provided with a digital environment with enterprise systems design.

MS in Cyber Security Engineering: Learning Outcomes

The USD’s online cyber security engineering program’s industry-relevant curriculum will give you a competitive edge in the booming cyber security landscape. By pursuing the program, you acquire a range of multi-dimensional skills in information technology, enabling you to:

  • Build and develop highly secure systems by applying the core concepts of cyber security and engineering.
  • Minimize cyber security threats for a system by assessing its overall security environment and deploying effective control measures and mechanisms. 
  • Using security testing, incident response, and cyber forensics tools and skills to analyze the strength, weakness, threats, and scope of improvement of digital systems. 
  • Assist organizations by making well-informed and effective decisions aligning with country-specific regulations and ethics.

The Scope of Cyber Security in India

As India embraces digital development with large-scale government schemes like ‘Digital India’ in motion, many public and private sector features can now be accessed online with ease. Be it sitting for an exam, opening a bank account, or applying for a government-issued ID, various crucial tasks can now be completed online, thanks to the government’s robust measures to build and develop digital infrastructure.

However, these developments, added to the advancements in generative AI, have also led to an exponential growth in cyber attacks. As technologies get better, hackers are also getting smarter. 

There’s a rise in the number of organized and well-thought-of cyber attacks, which require specialized skills to predict and defend against. A recent study by Indusface reported a 261% rise in cyber attacks on Indian websites in the first quarter of 2024 (compared to the same period in 2023).
In particular, the finance and government sectors have borne the brunt of these attacks. According to reports by India’s CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) there were 16 million cyber incidents against the finance sector in 2023. In 2017, this number was 57,000. As a result, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has warned banks to double down on cyber security.

With the rising number of cyber attacks, the government and corporations are prepared to invest more in cyber security products, services and manpower. The Indian cybersecurity market is expected to reach a $500 billion USD valuation by 2030. And that’s not all. A study by NASSCOM also suggests that approximately one million new cyber security jobs will be created by 2025 in India. 

By acquiring specialized cyber security skills, Indian students and working professionals can tap into a huge market and boost their career growth. A simple Google search will reveal that there are thousands of online cyber security degree programs to choose from. However, it is important to choose the right course that teaches skills that will help you be an in-demand digital defender of the future. A 100% online degree in cyber security from a U.S. accredited and reputed institute like USD can be the perfect career booster for Indians who want to forge a future in cyber security. 

Want to hack-proof your future? Get an MS in Cyber Security Engineering online from a top-ranked U.S. university, and acquire industry-relevant skills to boost your career.

Career Prospects after MS in Cyber Security from USD

With a master’s degree in cyber security engineering from a top-ranked institute like the University of San Diego, you acquire the skills to meet the evolving needs of the digital landscape. Our cyber security engineering program has been designated by the U.S. federal government as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, ensuring that it meets the rigorous requirements aligned with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. What’s more, the curriculum for the program has been designed in collaboration with industry, intelligence, and government stakeholders, ensuring that students acquire in-demand and relevant industry-specific skills.

After graduating from the course, you become eligible for various in-demand and lucrative job roles such as: 

  • Lead Cybersecurity Engineer
  • Information Security Analyst
  • Lead Cybersecurity Threat Hunter
  • Lead Software Security Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Architect

USD’s 100% online MS in Cyber Security Engineering program is ideal for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in engineering or cyber security. The degree program is also well-suited for working professionals who have experience in the same field and want to advance their career or professionals with related experience in a different field who want a career transition. Overall, anyone interested in gaining a deep understanding of cybersecurity engineering concepts, theories and threat mitigation strategies will benefit from this program.

Cyber Security Engineering from USD: Key Takeaways

As technology advances and the world embraces digital development, the demand for digital defenders, i.e., cyber security professionals, is surging through the roof. To meet the growing demand, there is a dire need for industry-relevant education and skill acquisition.

USD’s online MS in Cyber Security Engineering is a perfect way for working professionals to stay ahead of the competition and hack-proof their future. Gaining industry-relevant and advanced skills without hampering your ongoing commitments and messing up your work-life balance can seem difficult. However, our online MS in cyber security program, which is tailored specifically for Indians, makes your upskilling objectives a breeze. You can learn at your pace, at your place, and get a reputed degree from a U.S. accredited university within 2 years!

Get in touch with us now to learn more!


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