Digital attacks can take a variety of different forms and are usually carried out with the goal of interrupting business, extorting money, or accessing or destroying important information. Cybersecurity experts create and implement systems and processes to protect digital technology, such as encryption and security applications. They also educate users about how to maintain security, for instance by choosing strong passwords and being careful about opening attachments.
In recent years, cybersecurity has become increasingly important as a result of society’s growing reliance on digital technology. In an article titled, “What Is Cybersecurity?” the United States Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Agency explains, “It seems that everything relies on computers and the internet now—communication (e.g., email, smartphones, tablets), entertainment (e.g., interactive video games, social media, apps ), transportation (e.g., navigation systems), shopping (e.g., online shopping, credit cards), medicine (e.g., medical equipment, medical records), and the list goes on.” If the security of any of these is comprised, information can be erased, altered, or stolen
IBM details some of the many harms caused by cyberattacks. In an article titled “What Is Cybersecurity,” it says, “Cyberattacks and cybercrime have the power to disrupt, damage or destroy businesses, communities and lives. Successful cyberattacks lead to identity theft, personal and corporate extortion, loss of sensitive information and business-critical data, temporary business outages, lost business and lost customers and, in some cases, business closures.” In addition, IBM explains that the financial impact of cyberattacks is significant. It says, “By one estimate, cybercrime will cost the world economy USD 10.5 trillion per year by 2025.”
Why Should Veterans Learn Cybersecurity?
By learning cybersecurity, you can become one of those professionals who help protect against the many harms caused by cyberattacks. As a result of the growth of digital technology and the proliferation of cyberattacks that threaten it, this has become an in-demand job field. Cybersecurity pays well and has a strong future job outlook, making it a promising career choice.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a federal agency that tracks and analyzes labor market statistics. It provides information for Information Security Analysts, which includes experts in cybersecurity. The agency predicts that over the next ten years, jobs in this field will grow by 33 percent. This is significantly faster than the average job growth rate of only 4 percent. The agency states, “High demand is expected for information security analysts. Cyberattacks have grown in frequency, and these analysts will be needed to create innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or creating problems for computer networks.” It explains, “As businesses focus on enhancing cybersecurity, they will need information security analysts to secure new technologies from outside threats or hacks. A shift to remote work and the rise of ecommerce have increased the need for enhanced security, contributing to the projected employment growth of these workers over the decade.”
Overall, according to BLS, over the next decade, there will be more than 17,000 job openings in this field each year. It r eports that Virginia, California, Texas, and Florida employ the most Information Security Analysts. The agency finds that the median pay for this profession is more than $120,000 per year. Washington, Iowa, New York, and California pay the highest wages, at more than $140,000 yearly.
An Unfilled Need
Research shows that the need for cybersecurity experts is growing so quickly that there are large numbers of vacant jobs, which employers are struggling to fill. According to a 2024 Forbes article titled, “Nearly 4 Million Cybersecurity Jobs Are Vacant: Here’s Why You Should Consider Breaking Into This Sector,” worldwide there are millions of open cybersecurity jobs, and employers are unable to find enough qualified professionals to fill them. The author explains that despite a growing recognition of the need for cybersecurity, demand is simply far greater than supply. He states, “Factors like unclear career pathways, outdated training programs and expensive certifications are detering individuals from seeking a career in cybersecurity.”
In an article titled, “Bridging the Cyber Skills Gap,” the World Economic Forum agrees that there is a desperate need for more people to become trained in cybersecurity. It reports, “Organizations across industries and geographies are increasingly relying on digital technologies.” However, at the same time, it says, “There is a global shortage of nearly 4 million cyber professionals.” Overall, the organization finds that more than 70 percent of organizations have cybersecurity positions that are unfilled.
The World Economic Forum also stresses that working in this field often requires less education than many people think. It states, “A common misperception is that cybersecurity professions require a computer engineering degree.” Instead, the Forum argues for what it calls, “a skills first approach,” where employers hire based on skill rather than degrees. It explains, “This creates more flexible career paths and widens the talent pool for cybersecurity.” A focus on demonstrable skills over degrees has become increasingly common in recent years in cybersecurity and many other fields, with a growing number of employers reporting that rather than simply looking for a degree, they are looking for employees who can show that they have the skills and experience required to effectively do the job.
Cybersecurity Classes
Noble Desktop is a New York City-based coding and design school that offers a number of cybersecurity-related certificate programs that have been approved for veteran training. These certificate programs can be completed in a matter of weeks and are designed to prepare students for an entry-level position. Classes are offered both in-person at Noble’s Manhattan facility, and in a live online format that you can attend from anywhere with an internet connection. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. It offers a variety of flexible scheduling options including weekends and evenings. Noble Desktop classes also include a certificate of completion and the option of a free course retake within one year, which can be an excellent way to refresh your skills.
The Software Engineering Certificate is a popular option among students interested in cybersecurity. This is a comprehensive, multi-week course. You’ll learn about front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development. This includes learning a variety of front end tools including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll also learn Flexbox and Grid for layout and adapting to different screen sizes, and Git for version control. The class also covers JavaScript, and the JavaScript library, React. As part of your coursework, you’ll create a working desktop application with React and deploy it using AWS. In addition, the course covers Python, including syntax, dictionaries, sorting algorithms, and custom functions. Finally, you’ll learn to use Django and Django Rest. Throughout the class, you’ll also spend time creating a portfolio. Twelve one-on-one mentoring sessions are included, where you can spend extra time on challenging concepts, or receive career and portfolio advice.
The Data Science and AI Certificate is a comprehensive, multi-week course that is designed to prepare students for an entry-level job in data science or Python engineering and covers Python, data science, SQL, and machine learning. When you take this class, you’ll get hands-on training and you’ll also receive mentoring from industry experts. You’ll learn Python programming fundamentals and how to use Pandas, Numpy, and Matplotlib for data analysis. You’ll also learn how to read and write complex queries to a database, and how to automate tasks with Python. In addition, you’ll learn how to create machine learning models and use them to solve real-world problems, and you’ll learn how to make dashboards and visualizations. This course includes six one-on-one mentoring sessions.
Another Noble option is the Python Developer Certificate, which is designed to prepare students to work in Python programming, back end development, or software engineering. In this program, you’ll learn to use Python, including dictionaries, custom functions, and sorting algorithms, and you’ll gain experience with Git and SQL. You will also learn Django and skills such as URL dispatchers, querying models, and automating tasks. Throughout the course, you’ll complete a number of portfolio projects. In addition, the course comes with four 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. To take this class, you should be comfortable coding with HTML and basic CSS.
Support for Veterans
If you’re a veteran and you want to take a cybersecurity class, you may be eligible for government aid. In the United States, veterans are entitled to a variety of different educational benefits that cover some--or all--of the tuition for a cybersecurity class.
The GI Bill
Education benefits for veterans are guaranteed under the GI Bill. The first GI Bill was passed after World War II, and since then there have been a number of updates. The Post-9/11 GI Bill was signed in 2008 and provides eligible veterans with many educational benefits, including money for tuition, books, and living expenses. The Forever GI Bill, signed in 2012, improved or expanded some of the benefits of the 2008 bill.
Overall, the GI Bill has helped millions of veterans get education and vocational training, and more than $400 billion has been paid out through this program since its inception. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) explains that the main purpose of the bill is to give veterans access to opportunity. In an article titled “75 Years of the GI Bill: How Transformative It’s Been,” DOD calls the bill, “One of the most significant pieces of federal legislation ever produced.”
Specific benefit amounts under the GI bill vary from person to person and depend on many factors, including how long a veteran served and what type of school the benefits are being used for. Veterans can also transfer some benefits of the GI Bill to a spouse or children. To get benefits under the GI Bill, you need to apply online orin person at the VA nearest you. The VA will process your application and then you will receive a certification of eligibility letter detailing how much of the GI Bill you’re eligible for. Students can only apply for benefits directly through the VA; training service providers often cannot assist with this process.
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
If you are the child or spouse of a veteran or service member who is missing, captured, or dead, or who has disabilities, you might be eligible to receive financial assistance for job training under the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program. This program is also known as Chapter 35. For eligibility requirements, visit the VA website. Note that Chapter 35 payments may not cover the full cost of tuition.
Benefits of Learning Cybersecurity
The field of cybersecurity can lead to a diverse range of career opportunities. Whatever your interests, you’re likely to find something that fits. One cybersecurity career path is in engineering, which involves creating, implementing, and maintaining the systems that help keep networks and devices secure. Job titles in this area include Network Security Engineer and Cloud Security Engineer. Another option is to focus on testing, which involves looking for vulnerabilities within a system that could be exploited by a cyberattacker. Examples of jobs in this area are Penetration Tester and Security Auditor. Some cybersecurity experts choose to focus on risk analysis, looking for threats, and making sure systems are secure. Risk analysis jobs include Security Analyst and Threat Intelligence Analyst. Another potential focus in cybersecurity is response, which involves taking action to address a security breach. Forensic Analyst and Incident Responder are two job titles in the area of response.
In addition to providing a variety of different career paths, working in cybersecurity can also be very fulfilling. When you work in this field, you’ll be helping to guard people and organizations from serious, real-world threats. The Forbes article quotes Erin Baudo Felter, who is vice president of social impact and sustainability at an identity and access management company called Okta. Felter explains, “More so than ever, people want a job with purpose and I can’t think of anything more impactful for the world than a career where your role is to protect people and organizations from digital harm.”
Another benefit of working in cybersecurity is that this field never gets boring. Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, which means that if you want to work in cybersecurity you’ll constantly be learning new things and meeting new challenges. Surveys show that cybersecurity experts tend to enjoy their jobs and say that they report a high level of satisfaction. In a November 18, 2024 post on CareerVillage, cybersecurity expert Adit Sheth says, “It’s a thrilling ride, with activities such as ethical hacking, resolving vulnerabilities, and warding off cyberattacks—it's like cracking puzzles every single day.” In addition, he says, “Cybersecurity is always on the move. There's always something fresh to learn or a new challenge to conquer, like AI in security or emerging threats.”
Common Questions About Cybersecurity Classes
What Is a Certificate Program?
Certificate programs are accelerated programs that are intended to teach you as much as possible in a relatively short amount of time; usually within a matter of weeks or months. They are designed for students who need to learn a new set of skills but can’t devote years to attending school. They are also designed to prepare students for a career, so they typically include career support. For example, you might get help creating a resume, building a portfolio, and preparing for job interviews. Many certificate programs also allocate time to helping students create a strong portfolio of work that they can use to showcase their skills to potential employers or clients.
Should I Learn Full-Time or Part-Time?
Most Noble Desktop courses are offered in both a full-time and part-time format, allowing students flexibility in the learning process. Each format has its own advantages. A full-time class is the quickest way to learn cybersecurity. It allows you to complete the coursework as quickly as possible, and is likely to be the most immersive option because your education is your main focus. If you have a lot of time to devote to learning, then a full-time course will let you finish your education quickly, however, if you are also employed in a regular job or have other obligations, a full-time program may not be a viable option.
If you need a less intensive learning option, you can opt for a part-time class. While part-time programs take longer to complete, they do have advantages. One is that you’ll have more time to absorb all the new information you’re learning, practice your new skills, and develop a portfolio of projects. You can also spread out the cost of your education over a longer period of time. Another advantage of learning part-time is that you may have the opportunity to gain related work experience, which can increase your chances of finding work when you graduate.
Can I Learn Cybersecurity By Using Free Online Resources?
Some people wonder if it is necessary to pay for a cybersecurity class when there are many different free cybersecurity resources online. A common question is: can I learn cybersecurity for free with online resources? Online resources can be a valuable part of the learning process. You can use them to get an overview of what this field involves, pick up a few new skills, or troubleshoot a problem. However, if you want to work as a cybersecurity professional, you’re unlikely to get the type of education you need by using free resources. Instead, you’ll probably need to enroll in a paid class. Paid classes are generally much more comprehensive. In addition, most come with expert guidance and the assurance that you’re getting accurate and up-to-date information. Additionally, most students find that the structure and accountability that come with a class help them stay engaged and motivated.
What Are the Benefits of a Live Class?
Live classes can be taken either in person at a school or other training facility, or in a live online format where you log in and attend class via Zoom or a similar platform. There are many benefits associated with learning live. One of the biggest is that there is a live instructor who lectures in real-time and is available to answer your questions. A live instructor can also provide regular feedback on your progress, which allows you to learn from both your successes and failures and constantly improve your skills. When you take a live class, you learn along with a group of other students, which also has benefits. Many people find that they learn more quickly and develop a deeper understanding of the material when they learn with other people and also that they learn by helping others. In addition, learning with a group will help you learn to work with a group, which you will likely need to do if you work in cybersecurity. Another benefit of being part of a live class is that it can give you access to valuable networking opportunities.
Start a Career in Cybersecurity Today
If you’re interested in starting a cybersecurity career, check out Noble Desktop’s many offerings for veterans. All classes are taught by experienced instructors and will help you learn all the skills you need to work in this in-demand field. Noble classes also include professional development training resources like one-on-one mentorship that can help you find your dream job. For more information about veterans training programs offered through Noble Desktop, visit the Veterans Affairs page on the school website, or send us an email.