Cybersecurity is of maximum importance in the state of Arizona. It represents one of the state’s largest technology sectors. In 2014, the Federal Trade Commission ranked Arizona within the top 10 states for cybersecurity.
There are over 30 cybersecurity-related companies currently headquartered in Arizona, including:
- RockCyber LLC in Phoenix
- McKesson in Scottsdale
- Kudelski Security in Phoenix
- InfoArmor in Scottsdale
- CellTrust in Scottsdale
- BeyondTrust in Phoenix
- Acronis in Phoenix
- AccountabiliIT in Scottsdale
Why is cybersecurity so important to Arizona? The state’s large military community and security expertise began its importance to cybersecurity, and it grew from there. Infragard, a nonprofit organization begun as a liaison between the FBI and the private sector, was then started in Arizona. The Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance (ACTRA) was then created by members of Infragard and the FBI. The Arizona Cybersecurity Team (ACT) was launched in 2018 and consists of local and federal government representatives, private sector representatives, and representatives from higher education. It is designed to increase public awareness of cybersecurity and share best practices, strengthening the state’s workforce.
According to the CEO and president of the Arizona Technology Council, Steven G. Zylstra, as of 2019 there was a deficit of 7000 jobs available in cybersecurity in the state. AZCyberTalent.com was created in part to combat this deficit, addressing the talent shortage in cybersecurity in Arizona and developing education and employer strategies to encourage interest in cybersecurity.
There couldn’t be a better time to earn your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and claim one of the many available jobs in the state. For more information on how to do this, keep reading.
Cybersecurity Law in Arizona
Data privacy and cybersecurity is of utmost importance to the state of Arizona. The Attorney General’s office is notified in cases of identity theft and data breaches. After House Bill 2154 was passed in 2018, the state was given the right to penalize businesses for poor data management. The bill also strengthened protections for consumers and added notification requirements for victims of data breaches. If more than 1000 Arizonans are affected by a data breach, the company must also notify the credit reporting agencies. Businesses that violate Arizona’s statute face penalties of $10,000 to $500,000 per data breach.
Cybersecurity Training in Arizona
A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in Arizona can help you to qualify for jobs like:
- Cyber Security Engineer – G.D. Barri & Associates, Inc., Tonopah
- Information Security Analyst – Republic Services, Scottsdale
- Information Systems Security Officer- General Dynamics Information Technology, Phoenix
- Information Security – General Motors, Phoenix
- Cybersecurity Compliance Analyst – TuSimple, Tucson
- Cyber Security OPS Analyst – Honeywell, Phoenix
Bachelor’s Cybersecurity Degrees in Arizona
Examples of bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity you may earn in Arizona are:
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Information Assurance Track
- Bachelor of Science in Cyber Intelligence & Security
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of Science in Network Security
Examples of Courses Within Bachelor’s Degree Cybersecurity Programs in Arizona
Courses that you can expect to take include, but are not limited to:
- Forensic accounting and fraud examination
- Software security
- Ethical hacker
- Big data analytics and machine learning
- Database system security
- Malware analysis
Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Arizona
Undergraduate cybersecurity programs normally are not accredited. There are some accreditation agencies, however, which are discussed below. Regardless of the Arizona cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program that you select, the school within which it is housed should be accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE)
The National Centers of Academic Excellence program of the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security recognizes undergraduate and graduate degrees as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO).
Arizona Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education
The following four bachelor’s degree cybersecurity programs are recognized as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE):
- Arizona State University –
—Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Information Assurance Track
—Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Engineering- Concentration in Cybersecurity
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Information Assurance Center
699 S. Mill Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2020
Stephen S. Yau, Director
(480) 965-3190; iacenter@asu.edu
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University –
—Bachelor of Science in Cyber Intelligence & Security
—Bachelor of Science in Global Security & Intelligence Studies
College of Security and Intelligence
3700 Willow Creek Road
Prescott, AZ 86301
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2024
Dr. Jon Haass, Dean
(800) 888-3728
- Grand Canyon University –
—Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Cybersecurity Emphasis
(on campus and online)
—Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (on campus and online)
College of Science, Engineering & Technology
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2024
(855) GCU-LOPE
- University of Advancing Technology – Bachelor of Science in Network Security
2625 W. Baseline Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85283-1056
Denver, CO 80221-1099
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2020
Greg Miles
(602) 383-8228; gmiles@uat.edu
Arizona Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations
There is one Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) located in Arizona:
- University of Arizona – Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations (on-campus or online)
Three tracks available: Law & Policy, Defense & Forensics, Engineering
1140 N. Colombo Ave.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
CAE- Cyber Operations- Accredited through 2023
Jason Denno, Director of Cyber Operations
(520) 458-8278; jasondenno@email.arizona.edu
More Bachelor’s Degree Cybersecurity Programs in Arizona
Other cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programs to consider in Arizona include:
- Arizona State University, West Campus – Bachelor of Science in Applied Computing (Cybersecurity)
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
4701 W Thunderbird Rd.
Glendale, AZ 85306
(602) 543-3000; MNSadvising@asu.edu
- Northern Arizona University – Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (online)
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems
Flagstaff, AZ
(800) 426-8315
- University of Phoenix – Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate (online)
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
4025 S. Riverpoint Pkwy.
Phoenix, AZ 85040
(844) YES-UOPX
Cybersecurity Certification in Arizona
In addition to getting your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, there are a variety of certifications available that can greatly increase your marketability and position you well for new job openings in cybersecurity in Arizona. They are usually attainable through training (sometimes online) and passing an examination. They include, but are not limited to:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security
- Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NCSF)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Because of the coronavirus outbreak, the future of the economy of Arizona (and of the rest of the world, for that matter) is uncertain at this time. Arizona’s occupational outlook for those working in cybersecurity is still projected to be favorable, however. Before the crisis, Arizona led the nation in employment percent gains and was fourth in the nation for average weekly wage growth between 2018 and 2019, according to the office of the Governor, Doug Ducey. At that time, the state was projected to add a total of 159,000 more jobs over the next two years. These numbers may fluctuate now, due to the unprecedented economic climate we all face. Having a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in Arizona can help you to secure one of the many positions that should still be available in this new normal of society.