According to an article published in November 2019, there were 2645 cybersecurity job openings in the state of Connecticut at that time. Over 1000 of those job openings were in the Hartford region (which is immediately evident when one searches open cybersecurity jobs currently). The University of Connecticut has enacted a new rule for its undergraduate computer science majors. Starting in the fall of 2020, all computer science majors must take a hands-on course in cybersecurity, showing the importance of this concept regardless of one’s intent to work directly in the field.
More schools in Connecticut are currently offering cybersecurity degrees and certificates at both the undergraduate and graduate levels than ever before. The state’s former head of cybersecurity, however, says that more community colleges need to add to their cybersecurity curricula. Graduates from two-year colleges are needed to fill many of the open cybersecurity jobs within the state of Connecticut, he notes. Businesses are also in need of cybersecurity certificate graduates to update their current staff of employees.
There couldn’t be a better time to get a degree or certificate in cybersecurity in Connecticut. If you are at a loss on where to start, read on to discover how you can obtain a certificate or associate degree in cybersecurity in Connecticut and begin a career in this exciting discipline.
Cybersecurity Law in Connecticut
The Connecticut Insurance Data Security Law is set to be enacted into law and go into effect on October 1, 2020. Under this new law, all insurance companies doing business in Connecticut must develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive written information security program based on risk assessment. This program must contain safeguards to protect nonpublic information and information systems. Additionally, all insurance companies must select third-party service providers selectively and make sure that they implement appropriate measures to protect and secure information systems and nonpublic information they hold. Every year, starting on February 15, 2021, all non-exempt Connecticut domestic insurance providers must certify that they comply with this act/law.
If a cybersecurity breach occurs, a prompt investigation of the event must take place. All parties involved, as well as the Insurance Commissioner, must be notified as soon as possible when a cybersecurity event takes place, no later than three business days after the event has occurred. Consumers must also be notified promptly.
Connecticut Cybersecurity Careers for Associate Degree and Certificate Holders
With an associate degree or certificate in cybersecurity in hand, you could be eligible for many entry-level cybersecurity jobs in Connecticut, like:
- Information Security Analyst – Kraft Kennedy, Wilton
- Cyber Security Analyst – Raytheon Technologies, Farmington
- Cyber Security Forensics Analyst – Evolvinc, Hartford
- Cyber Security Analyst – TEKSystems, Hartford
- Cyber Security Analyst – Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., Clinton
- Information Security Analyst – American Express, Hartford
- Information Security Analyst – Aetna, Hartford
- Cyber Security Forensics Analyst- ALTEN Calsoft Labs, Hartford
- Cyber Security Trainee- 7 Eagle Group, Bridgeport
- Cyber Security Threat Analyst- XpertTech, Inc., Hartford
Associate Degrees in Cybersecurity in Connecticut
Examples of associate degrees in cybersecurity you can earn in Connecticut include:
- Associate of Science in Computer Networking – Cybersecurity Option
- Associate of Science in Cyber Security
- Associate of Science in Computer Security
- Associate of Science in Computer Networking
Connecticut Cybersecurity Associate Degree and Certificate Programs
Make sure that whatever college or university in Connecticut that you choose to pursue an associate degree or certificate is accredited by an agency listed with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE)
The National Centers of Academic Excellence program, sponsored by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security, offers special recognition to cybersecurity degree and certificate programs as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).
Connecticut Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education
The following schools in Connecticut have been designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE):
- University of New Haven –
—Graduate Certificate in Cybercrime Investigations (online)
—Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics Investigations (online)
300 Boston Post Road
West Haven, CT 06516
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2024
(203) 883-1551; onlineadmin@newhaven.edu
Other Cybersecurity Associate Degree and Certificate Programs in Connecticut
Other associate degree and certificate programs in cybersecurity in Connecticut include:
- Capital Community College –
—Associate of Science in Computer Networking – Cybersecurity Option
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
950 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103
Saaid Elhadad, Program Coordinator
(860) 906-5135; selhadad@capitalcc.edu
- Charter Oak State College –
—Cyber Security Fundamental Certificate
—Security Strategies Application Certificate
—Cyber Security Investigation Certificate
—Technical Security Administration Certificate
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
55 Paul Manafort Drive
New Britain, CT 06053
(860) 515-3800; info@charteroak.edu
- Naugatuck Valley Community College – Associate of Science in Cyber Security
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
750 Chase Parkway
Waterbury, CT 06708
(203) 596-2130
- Norwalk Community College – Associate of Science in Computer Security
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
188 Richards Ave.
Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 857-7000
- Sacred Heart University – Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
School of Computer Science & Engineering
5151 Park Ave.
Fairfield, CT 06825
Nicole Guerra, Contact
(203) 365-4731; guerran5@sacredheart.edu
Cybersecurity Connecticut Associate Degree Program Courses
Coursework that you will take in an associate degree cybersecurity program in Connecticut will include:
- Introduction to MIS
- Data Communication & Networking
- LAN System Management
- Networking Security
- Unix/Linux System Administration
- Information Assurance & Risk Management
- Computer Forensics & Network Intrusions
Connecticut Cybersecurity Certificates
In addition to the undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity certificates listed above, you can also earn industry certifications in Connecticut to help further your cybersecurity career. They include:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA CASP+
- CompTIA PenTest+
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
Salaries for Cybersecurity Professionals in Connecticut
The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that as of May 2019, information security analysts working in the state of Connecticut earned an annual mean wage of $101,530. Those working in the Bridgeport/Stamford/Norwalk area earned higher than average salaries of $121,330, as did those in the Danbury area, who brought home wages of $112,370 annually.