Becker’s Healthcare Health IT reports healthcare malware, ransomware and phishing attacks across the country every month. In October 2020, ten such cyberattacks were logged and reported on its website. One of these occurred in Minnesota. UCare Minnesota, an independent nonprofit health plan, experienced an unauthorized person accessing company email accounts. As a result, they changed email account passwords and enhanced their security.
This is just one example of the importance of cybersecurity in all aspects of life. Back in May 2020, it was reported that Minnesota’s state computer system was fending off cyberattacks designed to cripple the system following the death of George Floyd and resulting unrest. The state’s IT Security Operations Center was defending the system against distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks that were attempting to overload state information systems and networks to tip them offline. The attacks were unsuccessful, and did not disrupt state services. However, they did take up the time and energy of cybersecurity staff charged with defending them.
Working in cybersecurity in Minnesota can be exciting, challenging, and rewarding. If you would like to explore the field of cybersecurity, your best bet is to obtain an associate degree or certificate in the field. Keep reading to discover how to get started on a career in information security in Minnesota.
Cybersecurity in the News in Minnesota
Recently it was announced that a cybersecurity startup company from Silicon Valley, Arctic Wolf, is relocating its corporate headquarters to Eden Prairie, MN. The company, which has 200 employees at its California location, plans to add 150 more employees to its new Minnesota location before the end of 2021. The company has 550 employees around the world. Nick Schneider, spokesperson for Arctic Wolf, noted that more technology companies are moving to Minnesota, and Arctic Wolf is proud to be the latest one to do so.
Beginning Your Education in Cybersecurity in Minnesota
With an associate degree or certificate in cybersecurity, you could become eligible for jobs in Minnesota such as:
- Cyber Security Analyst, Incident Response- General Mills, Minneapolis
- Cyber Security Analyst – York Solutions, LLC, South St. Paul
- Cyber Security Command Center Professional – IBM, Minneapolis
- Cyber Security Analyst Associate – Controls – CliftonLarsonAllen, Minneapolis
- Cybersecurity Engineer- Best Buy, Minneapolis
- Senior Analyst, Cyber Security – Target, Brooklyn Park
- Cyber Security Incident Response Team – Deluxe Corporation, St. Paul
- Cyber Security Analyst – Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, St. Paul
- Software Engineer, Cyber Security – Prodware Solutions, Minneapolis
- IT Security Specialist – TAJ Technologies, Inc., St. Paul
Minnesota Associate Degrees in Cybersecurity
Associate degrees in cybersecurity go by many names. In Minnesota, they include:
- Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity, Virtualization & Forensics
- Associate in Applied Science in Cloud Computing & Virtualization Security
- Associate in Applied Science in Network Administration & Cybersecurity
- Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity, Virtualization & Networking
- Associate of Applied Science in Cyber and Information Security
Associate Degree and Certificate Cybersecurity Programs in Minnesota
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) lists many regional accreditation agencies that accredit institutions within the United States, including within Minnesota. When you are choosing an institution at which to study for your associate degree or certificate in cybersecurity, ensure that it is accredited by an agency listed in this directory.
Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE)
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the program called the National Centers of Academic Excellence. This program highlights the best cybersecurity degree and certificate programs across the country.
Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education in Minnesota
These cybersecurity associate degree and certificate programs in Minnesota are known as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD):
- Capella University –
—Graduate Certificate in Network Defense (online)
—Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity (online)
Also accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
Capella Tower
225 South 6th St., 9th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55402
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2021
(888) 277-9897; (866) 808-4080
- Century College –
—Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity, Virtualization and Forensics (on campus and online)
—Associate in Applied Science in Cloud Computing & Virtualization Security (on campus and online)
—Cloud Computing Certificate (on campus and online)
—Cloud Security & Virtualization Forensics Certificate (on campus and online)
—Cybersecurity Analysis & Techniques Certificate (on campus and online)
—Digital Forensics Analysis & Techniques Certificate (on campus and online)
—Intrusion Detection & Incident Handling Certificate (on campus and online)
—IT Security and Audit Control Certificate (on campus and online)
—Offensive Security Certificate (on campus and online)
—Identity Security and Access Management Certificate (on campus and online)
—Reverse Engineering Malware Analysis & Techniques Certificate (on campus and online)
Cybersecurity, Virtualization & Forensics Department
3300 Century Ave. N
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2024
Jacob Bernier, Faculty
(651) 444-2007; jacob.bernier@century.edu
- Lake Superior College –
—Associate in Applied Science in Network Administration & Cybersecurity (on campus and online)
—Cyber Defense Certificate (on campus and online)
—Cyber Security Certificate (on campus and online)
—Network Administration & Security Certificate (on campus and online)
—PC Support Technician Certificate (on campus and online)
—Network Administration & Cybersecurity Diploma (on campus and online)
Center for Cybersecurity
2101 Trinity Road
Duluth, MN 55811
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2022
Valarie “Vickie” McLain, Contact
(218) 733-7600; valarie.mclain@lsc.edu
- Metropolitan State University –
—Undergraduate Certificate in Computer Forensics (post-baccalaureate)
—Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity (post-baccalaureate)
College of Sciences, MN Cyber Institute
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2020
Faisal Kaleem, Contact
(651) 793-1238; faisal.kaleem@metrostate.edu
- Walden University –
—Graduate Certificate in Fundamentals of Cyber Security (online)
—Graduate Certificate in Advanced Cyber Security (online)
100 Washington Ave. South
Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55401
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2024
Dr. Bob Duhainy, Contact
(617) 510-5538; Bob.duhainy@mail.WaldenU.edu
Further Associate Degree and Certificate Programs in Cybersecurity in Minnesota
Other associate degree and certificate programs in cybersecurity in Minnesota include:
- Alexandria Technical & Community College –
— Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity, Virtualization & Networking
—Certificate in Cybersecurity (online)
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
1601 Jefferson St.
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 762-0221
Courses in a Minnesota Cybersecurity Associate Degree Program
Courses that you will likely take in an associate degree cybersecurity program in Minnesota include (but are not limited to):
- Foundations of Computer Information Systems
- A+ Operating Technologies and Core Hardware
- Network Client Administration
- Computer User Support
- UNIX System Administration
- Security Fundamentals
- Windows Server Administration
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems Fundamentals
- Forensics and Incident Response
- Ethical Hacking and Systems Defense
Cybersecurity Certificates in Minnesota
There are still more cybersecurity certificate programs in Minnesota than those listed above, including (but not limited to):
- Advanced Network Security Certificate – Inver Hills Community College
- Certificate in Computer Information Security Management – Minnesota West Community & Technical College
- Certificate in Cybersecurity & Privacy Law – Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Cybersecurity Salary in Minnesota
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that as of May 2019, information security analysts employed in Minnesota earned an annual mean wage of $75,980. Those working in various parts of the state earned wages that were higher than the state average, as listed below:
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington: $102,690
- Rochester: $110,500
- Southeast nonmetro area: $88,450