No matter who owns it, where it’s located or how it’s protected, every computer that’s connected to the internet is at risk of suffering a cyber attack. Cyber security, which refers to the protection of computers and networks against these malicious attacks, helps safeguard personal, business and classified information from being stolen.

As the odds and instances of illegal intrusions increase in today’s computing world, so does the demand for skilled cyber security professionals who can prevent them. By teaching networking fundamentals and computer forensics, online cyber security programs prepare students to protect computers and networks from hackers and viruses.

To pursue a career path in cyber security, you’ll need a relevant bachelor’s degree. If you’re alarmed, bothered or fascinated by the following 2017 statistics in cyber security, perhaps it’s time to start earning it online.

• The U.S. is the biggest target for ransomware attacks, with an average demand of $1,077 per victim.
• Cyber security spending is estimated to exceed $1 trillion from 2017 to 2021.
• The most effective bank robbers in 2016 were armed with computers and not guns, stealing $96 million.
• One in every 131 emails contains a malware virus, which is the highest rate in five years.
• Damage as a result of cyber crime is estimated to cost $6 trillion annually by 2021.

Standard Curriculum for an Online Cyber Security Bachelor’s Degree

In most cases, online bachelor’s degree programs in cyber security are offered by computer science departments.

As with every bachelor’s degree program, students must also fulfill a general education component and complete coursework in the arts, sciences and humanities.

Additional Information and Program Requirements

A student can complete an online bachelor’s degree program in cyber security on a part-time basis without in-person meetings, which is usually administered via a Content Management System that includes texts, lectures and assignments.

Some programs also include discussion boards to facilitate communication between students and instructors, while others rely on contact through email or phone. Depending on the online cyber security program, students might have to complete a final thesis or project before earning their bachelor’s degree.

Here are some of the most common courses available online related to cyber security:

• Introduction to Personal Computer Security
• Fundamentals of Information Security Management
• Risk Management in Information Security
• Cryptography
• Ethical Hacking
• Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning
• Exploiting and Protecting Web Applications
• Writing Secure Code
• Mobile Security

Job and Salary Prospects in Cyber Security

After you’ve earned an online bachelor’s degree in cyber security, here are the top jobs you’d qualify for.

• Information Security Analyst
• Computer System Administrator
• Computer Systems Analyst

In 2016, there were one million job openings in cyber security. It’s estimated that already high number will reach 1.5 million by 2019 due to a severe shortage of global talent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some other estimates for the most coveted jobs that require a bachelor’s degree in cyber security.

Information Security Analyst

2016 median pay: $92,600 per year or $44.52 per hour.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree.
Number of jobs in 2014: 82,900.
Growth outlook between 2014 and 2024: 18 percent – faster than the average.
Employment change form 2014 to 2024: 14,800 jobs.

Computer Systems Administrator

2016 median pay: $79,700 per year or $38.32 per hour.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree.
Number of jobs in 2014: 382,600.
Growth outlook between 2014 and 2024: 8 percent – as fast as the average.
Employment change from 2014 to 2025: 30,200 jobs.

Computer Systems Analyst

2016 median pay: $87,220 per year or $41.93 per hour.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree.
Number of jobs in 2014: 567,800.
Growth outlook between 2014 and 2024: 21 percent – faster than the average.
Employment change from 2014 to 2025: 118,600 jobs.

Other possible job options include digital forensics expert, cyber policy analyst and cyber security software engineer.

Who Might Be Interested in an Online Cyber Security Bachelor’s Degree

One way millennials are avoiding the pitfalls of not finding adequate work in today’s job market is to pursue a profession where there’s a high demand for labor, and cyber security is one of them.

While older generations often have trouble adjusting to even simple applications, millennials are better equipped to deal with technology than any preceding generation. Those skills come in handy when searching for jobs in the digital world, especially in cyber security.

Younger generations are also used to learning via the internet, which is great because online courses:

• Utilize state-of-the-art technology and tools for learning
• Offer and support an interactive environment among instructors and students
• Use structured and guided learning that helps students master the course content
• Incorporate real-world and project-based learning taught by the brightest minds
• Include academic advising, digital resources and support services instantly
• Feature original and carefully constructed course content that’s created for the online environment
• Facilitate networking opportunities and foster professional collaborations on a global scale

As James Scott, senior fellow at the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, once said, “This next president is going to inherit the most sophisticated and persistent cyber espionage cultures the world has ever seen. He needs to surround himself with experts…” The question is, do you want to be one of those experts?

An online cyber security bachelor’s degree is your first step toward making that dream a – virtual – reality.