According to the CyberTexas Foundation, San Antonio is currently ranked second in cybersecurity in the nation, with Washington, D.C. ranked first. The city is home to 1000 information technology businesses that generate an economic impact each year of $12 billion. There are also 35,000 IT workers in San Antonio, a number expected to double in the next five years.
As of 2019, Texas is preparing to implement mandatory cybersecurity training for all its government employees, according to InfoSecurity Magazine. That year, 23 local government entities in Texas were targeted in a ransomware attack. The need for cybersecurity awareness training is great within the state. The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) is currently accepting applications to certify cybersecurity awareness training programs. Once the list has been completed, all state and local government agencies and officials will be obligated to complete cybersecurity awareness training.
In another cybersecurity initiative, Texas schools are now required to create their own cybersecurity plans and train their faculty and staff. Under Senate Bill 820, school districts must create a cybersecurity policy in order to secure their schools’ cyberinfrastructure. They must also implement mitigation planning and perform risk assessments. Districts are directed to create a cybersecurity coordinator who will act as a liaison between school districts, the state, and parents.
As you can see, Texas takes cybersecurity seriously. If you would like to work in the challenging field of cybersecurity in Texas, your first goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Keep reading to find out how you can earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in Texas and join this growing, vital field.
Texas Cybersecurity Law
The Texas Cybersecurity Act became law in 2017. It helps individuals and businesses, as well as government agencies, protect confidential and sensitive data and maintain their readiness for cyberattacks. It also updated the Texas Penal Code to recognize new types of cybercrime and their punishments. Electronic access interference is now a third-degree felony offense, and involves a person intentionally suspending or interrupting access to a computer network or system without the owner’s consent. Another offense, electronic data tampering, may be classified as a Class C misdemeanor or first-degree felony, as can unlawful decryption of encrypted private information.
Cybersecurity Education in Texas
A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity is your first step towards landing one of the many jobs that are available in Texas in this exciting field. Recently advertised vacant positions in Texas include:
- Cyber Security Specialist- The Boeing Company, Dallas and San Antonio
- Professional in Cybersecurity – AT&T, Austin
- Cyber Security Analyst – SAIC, Austin
- IT Professional – Cybersecurity – City of Houston
- Information Technology Specialist Cybersecurity – US Department of Energy, Freeport
- Cyber Security Analyst – Leidos, San Antonio
Bachelor’s Cybersecurity Degrees in Texas
Bachelor’s degree programs in cybersecurity in Texas include, but are not limited to:
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Security Track
- Bachelor of Science in Cyber Engineering Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and Security
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Cyber Operations Track
Courses You Will Take in Bachelor’s Cybersecurity Programs in Texas
Coursework that bachelor’s degree programs in Texas will contain usually include:
- Internetworking Technologies
- Principles of Information Technology
- Digital Forensics
- Engineering Applications of Computer Science Principles
- Foundations of Cybersecurity
- Computer Programming I and II
Undergraduate Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Texas
Program accreditation is usually not seen at the undergraduate level. However, there are some exceptions, which we will examine below. No matter what Texas cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program you choose, make sure that the school that houses it 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 is run by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security, to recognize undergraduate and graduate degrees as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO).
Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education Within Texas
The NSA and DHS have classified the following Texas cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programs as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE):
- Our Lady of the Lake University –
—Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and Security
—Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems and Security
—Bachelor of Applied Studies in Computer Information Systems and Security
School of Business and Leadership
411 S.W. 24th St.
San Antonio, TX 78207
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2022
(210) 434-6711
- Southern Methodist University – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science- Security Track
Department of Computer Science
Dallas, TX 75275
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2021
Theodore Manikas, Chair
(214) 768-3099; manikas@smu.edu
- Texas A&M University San Antonio – Bachelor of Science in Cyber Engineering Technology
College of Business, Dept. of Computing & Cyber Security
One University Way
San Antonio, TX 78224
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2022
(210) 784-5000
- Texas A&M University –
—Bachelor of Science in Computer Science- Minor in Cybersecurity
—Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering – Minor in Cybersecurity
(also CAE-CO and ABET accredited – see below)
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
301 Harvey R. Bright Bldg.
College Station, TX 77843-3112
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2021
(979) 458-3870; cse-general@cse.tamu.edu
- Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi – Bachelor of Computer Science – Cybersecurity and Infrastructure concentration
Center for Information Assurance & Cyber Defense
6300 Ocean Dr.
Corpus Christi, TX 78412
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2021
Saman Desilva, Chair
(361) 825-3831; saman.desilva@tamucc.edu
Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations Within Texas
The NSA and DHS have designated the following Texas bachelor’s degree cybersecurity programs as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO):
- Texas A&M University –
—Bachelor of Science in Computer Science- Minor in Cybersecurity
—Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering – Minor in Cybersecurity
(also CAE-CD accredited – see above; and ABET accredited – see below)
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
301 Harvey R. Bright Bldg.
College Station, TX 77843-3112
CAE- Cyber Operations- Accredited through 2022
(979) 458-3870; cse-general@cse.tamu.edu
- University of Texas at El Paso – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Secure Cyber Systems Track
College of Engineering
500 West University Ave.
El Paso, TX 79968
CAE- Cyber Operations- Accredited through 2021
(915) 747-5480
- University of Texas at San Antonio – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Cyber Operations Track
Department of Computer Science
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249-0667
CAE- Cyber Operations- Accredited through 2023
(210) 458-4436; ugar@cs.utsa.edu
Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Texas with ABET Accreditation
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. of ABET ‘s Computing Accreditation Commission has accredited the following Texas programs:
- Texas A&M University –
—Bachelor of Science in Computer Science- Minor in Cybersecurity
—Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering – Minor in Cybersecurity
(also CAE-CO and CAE-CD accredited – see above)
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
301 Harvey R. Bright Bldg.
College Station, TX 77843-3112
(979) 458-3870; cse-general@cse.tamu.edu
More Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Programs Within Texas
More cybersecurity bachelor’s programs include:
- Collin College – Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
3452 Spur 399
McKinney, TX 75069
(972) 548-6790
- Hallmark University – Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (on campus or online)
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
10401 IH-10 West
San Antonio, TX 78230
- Houston Baptist University – Bachelor of Science in Cyber Engineering
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
College of Science and Engineering
7502 Fondren Rd.
Houston, TX 77074
Dr. Stan Napper, Dean
(281) 649-3173; snapper@hbu.edu
- Lamar University – Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
College of Arts & Sciences
4400 MLK Blvd.
Beaumont, TX 77710
- LeTourneau University – Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (online or on-campus)
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
School of Arts & Sciences
2100 S. Mobberly Ave.
Longview, TX 75602
Dr. Glyn T. Gowing, Chair
(800) 759-8811
- Sam Houston State University – Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Dept. of Computer Science- Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics
1803 Avenue I, AB1 Room 214
Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-3846
- Texas A&M University Central Texas – Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Information Technology
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Department of Computer Information Systems
1001 Leadership Place
Killeen, TX 76549
Dr. Anitha Chennamaneni, Dept. Chair
(254) 519-5463; anitha.chennamaneni@tamuct.edu
- Texas A&M University Texarkana – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Cybersecurity Concentration
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
College of Business, Engineering & Technology
7101 University Ave.
Texarkana, TX 75503
(903) 223-3000
- University of Texas at Austin – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Cybersecurity Concentration
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Dept. of Computer Science
2317 Speedway, Stop D9500
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 471-7316
- University of Texas Permian Basin – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Cybersecurity Concentration
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Dept. of Computer Science
4901 East University
Odessa, TX 79762
(432) 552-2020
- Wayland Baptist University – Bachelor of Business Administration, Cyber Security (on campus or online)
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
School of Business
1900 W. 7th St.
Plainview, TX 79072
(800) 588-1928
Per the Labor Market & Career Information Department of the Texas Workforce Commission, jobs for information security analysts in Texas are expected to increase by a whopping 33.5 percent from 2016 to 2026. This represents an addition of approximately 823 job openings per year. Currently, the average annual salary for an information security analyst in Texas is $104,169. Areas of the state in which wages are the highest for this occupation include Dallas ($113,363), Capital Area ($113,428), South East Texas ($117,929) and Tarrant County ($108,238). It is clear that this is the perfect time to get your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in Texas and prepare yourself for an interesting, challenging, and lucrative career.