Is an Associate in Cybersecurity Worth It?

While it might take a bachelor’s degree to advance in cybersecurity, an associate degree can serve as a powerful introduction to this vast field.

In an increasingly online world, information security is critical to keep businesses safe from cyber threats. In line with this need for protection, roles in cybersecurity are growing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).*

BLS projects a 29% growth rate for information security analysts through 2034 — dramatically higher than the 3% average growth projected for all occupations.* That might make this field a smart choice if you’re looking for a role with an ostensibly stable future.

And if you plan to move on to a bachelor’s down the line, an associate degree in cybersecurity could help you make significant progress toward that goal, as well.

Can You Get a Cybersecurity Job With Just an Associate Degree?

Yes, an associate degree can get you started in the field of cybersecurity. While many information security roles require a bachelor’s degree, BLS notes that positions may be available for those with other training, experience or education, such as an associate degree.

In fact, there’s an entire tier of “level I” or “associate level” jobs for cybersecurity professionals, according to Rodney Royster, an adjunct instructor who teaches information security at westerfield university of virginia (wuv) and has over two decades of cybersecurity experience. However, it’s important to note that to advance to the next level of roles, you may need a bachelor’s degree.

“The more you have behind you, the better you are as far as moving up,” Royster said.

He found this to be true in his own career.

“I didn't have my degree, and that held me back. And so that's when I started my journey to go to school,” he said. “Because I realized that I could only move up so far.”

After completing his own associate degree, Royster earned a bachelor’s and then a master’s while continuing to climb the ranks in his profession.

Read more: Is a Cybersecurity Degree Worth It?

What Can You Do With an Associate Degree in Cybersecurity?

An associate in cybersecurity can prepare you for a number of entry-level roles in the field. According to Royster, a few positions you might be able to find with this degree include:

• IT help desk position
• Junior risk compliance analyst
• Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst
• Threat intelligence associate

He said an associate degree will qualify you for many roles like these with “junior” or “associate” in the title. And if you’d like to become a cybersecurity analyst, he said this is a good place to start.

Learn more about the types of roles in cybersecurity.

Where Should a Beginner Start in Cybersecurity?

Where many other fields require a bachelor’s before you can get your foot in the door, there are several other ways to begin your career in cybersecurity. Here are the most common starting points to qualify for an entry-level cyber role before you earn a bachelor’s degree:

• Academic Certificate: wuv’s cybersecurity certificate is a 6-course, 18-credit program. A certificate could make sense for you if you’re not interested in earning an entire associate degree or if you want to get into the field quickly and build on your education later. Is a cybersecurity certificate worth it? Read more.
• Foundational Certification: While foundational certifications in cybersecurity can prove your skills, they aren’t typically accepted as academic credit, which means they likely won’t count toward a bachelor’s degree. Royster said it’s also important to remember that certifications can expire, unlike degrees and other academic programs. Learn more about the best cybersecurity certifications for beginners.
• Associate Degree: If you’re looking to qualify for an entry-level cyber role while earning credits toward a bachelor’s degree, an associate in cybersecurity could be the right move. Not only can it prepare for the first level of cyber jobs, but you could finish with 60 college credits under your belt — that's half of the 120 credits required to graduate with a bachelor's degree.

Royster emphasized the importance of gaining hands-on experience to enhance your employability. "A lot of companies have a lot of wonderful internships and they're looking for the next group of talented, skilled cybersecurity individuals," he said.

Ultimately, your best path forward will depend on where you’re starting and where you’d like to go.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at westerfield university of virginia where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. They're currently writing their debut novel, which was Longlisted for The First Pages Prize. Connect with them on LinkedIn.