Cyber Security In Michigan

Cyber Security In Michigan – Before We Get Into The Topic, Let’s Learn Some Basic Of This Topic

In the cybersecurity arena, Michigan is a rising star. The Pell Center awarded its full grades in 2015 for adopting a Cyber R&D plan that included higher education, workforce development, and industry participation. It was one of just three states to do so. In other words, strong cybersecurity programs can be found there. If you’re already up to date on current events, check out our list of Michigan colleges that offer relevant degrees and certificates. If not, keep reading to learn about research projects, startups, scholarships, and graduate job opportunities in Michigan.

Studying Cyber Security in Michigan

In 2014, Michigan was represented by Walsh College and Ferris State University on HP’s list of the top 25% of institutions having cybersecurity programs. However, cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field, with new programs constantly vying for attention and funding. Here are some major recent events:

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The Michigan Cyber Range is a virtual cybersecurity training center with physical hubs across the state where people can access courses and software testing over a secure fiber-optic network. Wayne State University, which joined Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Northern Michigan University, and Oakland University as the newest center, opened its doors in January 2017.
Consider the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) as a gatekeeper for IT security training requirements. In fact, CNSS has six different sets of standards for risk analysts to systems managers. Ferris State is one of only eight schools in the United States to meet all six standards, giving its graduates a wider range of career options. It was the first university in the United States to be named a Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence by the US Department of Education in 2013. Defense Department, laying the path for future defense laboratory research programs.
Faculty members at the University of Michigan have a talent for starting businesses and watching them thrive. After developing a plug-in gadget that checks health equipment for questionable power utilization, Virta Laboratories, cofounded by an Electrical Engineering professor, received a National Science Foundation award in 2016. Quadmetrics, which employs predictive analytics to track hackers, was founded by another College of Engineering professor. FICO, a California-based company, bought the business in 2016.
The National Science Foundation awarded the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University a three-year grant worth approximately $220,000 each in 2014. They’re in charge of identifying vulnerabilities in the country’s electrical grid and anticipating hacker assault paths.

Online Cyber Security Programs in Michigan

While the state’s colleges offer a diverse range of in-person programs and certificates, online options are more limited. Only a few schools offer cybersecurity certificates, bachelor’s, or master’s programs online. Davenport University is the only school that offers multiple degrees.

It’s worth noting that the state’s baccalaureate degrees are heavily focused on cyber defense and information technology, while the master’s degrees are heavily focused on information assurance. We’ll go over what makes each online program unique in the sections below, even if its title isn’t.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Cyber Security

For a career in cybersecurity, a four-year degree is the best place to start. Baker College, Davenport University, and Walsh College are three reputable online BS programs in Michigan.

Let’s start with Walsh’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, which is a hybrid program. The school follows a 2+2 format, with each course consisting of two hours of on-campus instruction and two hours of online study per week. Why should you think about this program? Because it will provide you with a broad understanding of IT issues, including cybersecurity, networking, data, and software development.

Baker College offers two fully online baccalaureate degrees: a BS in IT and Security and a BS in Cyber Defense. The first will prepare you for a network administrator or system analyst position, while the second is for aspiring information technology specialists who will protect an organization’s infrastructure from both internal and external threats. While the two programs have a lot in common, Cyber Defense students will receive a lot of Linux and Microsoft Windows administration training that BSIT students will not.

Davenport University’s BS in Cyber Defense, which differs from Baker College’s program of the same name in that students can choose between two specialties: 1) Information Assurance and 2) Healthcare Information and Assurance, is the final option for an online baccalaureate. Math Modeling can be added to either specialty by students who enjoy numbers.

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Online Master’s Degrees in Cyber Security

Although most jobs do not require a master’s degree, the trend is moving toward graduate degrees, particularly for specialized positions and management positions. Master’s programs are available at two Michigan universities.

Davenport is the first. Students entering the MS in Information Assurance program should have a basic understanding of security, basic programming, cryptography, networking, and statistical analysis. If they don’t, they’ll have to take foundational courses before moving on to advanced classes that take those same subjects to the next level while also including a healthy dose of management.

The MS in Information Assurance with a major in Cybersecurity offered by the University of Detroit Mercy is the other option. Due to its balanced approach of technical and managerial coursework, the classes and student pool are larger than Davenport’s, attracting everyone from techies to businesspeople to law enforcement.

Online Certificate Programs in Cyber Security

A certificate is an introduction to a new skill at the graduate level that takes less time than a master’s degree. A certificate can be used to transition to a two- or four-year degree at the undergraduate level. Because there are no online cybersecurity associate programs in Michigan, you can obtain a certificate and complete your two-year course of study with general education credits obtained from distance learning sources.

Central Michigan University is the only school that offers certificates. Its hybrid certificate in Cybersecurity is designed for students with networking experience who want to earn any or all of the following certifications: CompTIA Security+, Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge, or Certified Information Systems Security Professional.

Cyber Security Scholarships in Michigan

Taking cybersecurity classes in Michigan is a smart option, thanks to the Regional Cybersecurity Education Collaborative (RCEC), which debuted in late 2016. The partnership will award scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 for noncredit, for-credit, and certification courses.

You’ll have other funding choices while you’re waiting for the RCEC to get up to speed. Some of them are simple. Many institutions will automatically consider you for their scholarships if you apply. However, knowing that money is available particularly for cybersecurity majors is reassuring. We’ve compiled a list of some examples:

Ferris State University

Dominic Ciaramitaro ISI Memorial Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship is open to full-time information security and intelligence undergrads and graduates with a 3.0 GPA.

Monroe County Community College

The Brett family sets aside $1,250 per year for Monroe County residents who have finished their first year in a Business or Computer Information Systems program.
Incoming students interested in Computer Information Systems can apply for this award by submitting two letters of recommendation along with their transcripts.
Pfc. The Nicholas J. Greer Scholarship is awarded by the Greer Foundation to Computer Information Systems students who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to public service.

Oakland Community College

CIS Scholarship: Computer Information Systems students at the Auburn Hills campus, including those interested in cybersecurity or homeland security, may be eligible for this award if they have financial needs and have completed at least six credits.
Information Technology students with financial needs and at least six credits may be eligible for the Delta Network Services Endowed Scholarship.

Saginaw Valley State University

Students at Saginaw Valley State can only minor in Cyber Security, but those who major in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems can apply for a $500 scholarship. Residents of Saginaw, Bay, and Midland counties are preferred by the committee.

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Undergraduate Scholarships at the College of Engineering and Computer Science: The College offers some sponsored scholarships to its students, including Digital Forensics majors. The prizes range from $1,000 to $5,000 per year.

Cyber Security Events in Michigan

Cyber Security Meetups & Communities in Michigan

Joining a group of like-minded professionals or students might help you learn faster by exposing you to new ideas and approaches to challenges. To begin, look into the following groups:

ARBSEC is a laid-back alternative to professional societies. Every first Wednesday of the month, Ann Arbor’s information security professionals get together to talk shop.
IAM stands for “identification and access management,” and if you didn’t know that, you might be interested in attending a meeting every three months to hear member presentations and discuss best practices.
MSc: MSc is a program that is open to everyone interested in information security. Members can listen to guest speakers, get their hands dirty with seminars, or compete at frequent events in Jackson, Lansing, and Southfield.
OWASP Detroit: OWASP stands for “Open Web Application Security Project,” and the Detroit branch meets twice a year for security lectures and debates, as well as chapter business.
ZooSec: The Kalamazoo Michigan InfoSec Meetup is a small, casual gathering where local experts and amateurs alike swap knowledge and seek assistance on their projects.ARBSEC: ARBSEC is a laid-back alternative to a professional association. Every first Wednesday of the month, Ann Arbor’s information security professionals get together to talk shop.
IAM stands for “identification and access management,” and if you didn’t know that, you might be interested in attending a meeting every three months to hear member presentations and discuss best practices.
MSc: MSc is a program that is open to everyone interested in information security. Members can listen to guest speakers, get their hands dirty with seminars, or compete at frequent events in Jackson, Lansing, and Southfield.
OWASP Detroit: OWASP stands for “Open Web Application Security Project,” and the Detroit branch meets twice a year for security lectures and debates, as well as chapter business.
ZooSec: The Kalamazoo Michigan InfoSec Meetup is a small, informal gathering where local professionals and amateurs alike exchange information and seek advice on their current projects.

Cyber Security Conferences & Workshops in Michigan

Finding low-cost, day-long events at local colleges is the first step toward improving your security knowledge and expanding your network. Every October, for example, the Security at University of Michigan IT (SUMIT) conference brings together national tech experts for a series of panel discussions. The Interdisciplinary Conference on Cybercrime, hosted by Michigan State University, is an annual event. Eastern Michigan University hosts the annual Digital Divas program for high school females interested in STEM professions in Ypsilanti, which includes breakout sessions on cybersecurity.

A handful of the larger conferences taking place distant from Michigan’s campuses are listed below:

ARBSEC is a laid-back alternative to professional societies. Every first Wednesday of the month, Ann Arbor’s information security professionals get together to talk shop.
IAM stands for “identification and access management,” and if you didn’t know that, you might be interested in attending a meeting every three months to hear member presentations and discuss best practices.
MSc: MSc is a program that is open to anyone interested in information security. Members can listen to outside speakers, get their hands dirty with workshops, or compete at regular meetups in Jackson, Lansing, and Southfield.
OWASP Detroit: OWASP stands for “Open Web Application Security Project,” and the Detroit chapter meets twice a year for security presentations and discussions, as well as chapter business.
ZooSec: The Kalamazoo Michigan InfoSec Meetup is a small, informal gathering where local professionals and amateurs alike trade information and seek advice on their projects.ARBSEC: ARBSEC is a laid-back alternative to a professional society. Every first Wednesday of the month, Ann Arbor’s information security professionals get together to talk shop.
IAM stands for “identity and access management,” and if you didn’t know that, you might be interested in attending a meeting every three months to hear member presentations and discuss best practices.
MSc: MSc is a program that is open to everyone interested in information security. Members can listen to outside speakers, get their hands dirty with workshops, or compete at regular meetups in Jackson, Lansing, and Southfield.
OWASP Detroit: OWASP stands for “Open Web Application Security Project,” and the Detroit chapter meets twice a year for security presentations and discussions, as well as chapter business.
ZooSec: The Kalamazoo Michigan InfoSec Meetup is a small, informal gathering where local professionals and amateurs alike exchange information and seek advice on their current projects.

Cyber Security Jobs in Michigan

Although cybersecurity is a growing field, Michigan was once a shrinking state. Now is the time to secure a job in Michigan, which is on the rise and places a strong emphasis on technological development. The largest concentrations of information security analysts in the state are in Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, but we’re talking about less than 1,000 people in total.

That isn’t enough, so the state has formed the Regional Cybersecurity Education Collaboration (RCEC) to ensure that students learn skills that will be useful in the workplace. For internships and job opportunities, the RCEC will connect participating private firms with graduates from academic institutions – starting with Central Michigan University, Northern Michigan University, and Wayne State University.

The car industry is one of the businesses that RCEC is focusing on. Today’s vehicles are controlled by computers that can be hacked, and Detroit automakers such as General Motors are taking the threat seriously. Other Fortune 500 heavyweights like Ford Motor Company and Penske Automotive Group are in the same boat. Even smaller companies, such as towers, are carving out a position in the vehicle security market.

If you’re thinking about going to graduate school, the state’s research universities are a good place to start. QuadMetrics, a cybersecurity firm that analyses risk using quantitative data, was incubated at the University of Michigan, making it a top destination. The Office of Tech Transfer at the University of Michigan has supported and commercialized some research projects.

Cyber Security Salaries in Michigan

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median average salary for an information security analyst in 2015 was around $90,000, with the average Michigander earning about $5,000 less. Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Indeed.com’s conclusions are mostly supported by BLS statistics.

According to Indeed data, there are three ways to make more money: become a senior information security analyst ($104,000 per year), advance to an IT manager ($106,000), or work as an IT security specialist ($114,000). These results aren’t bad in any case, especially since Michigan had the third-lowest cost of living of any state in 2016.