Why Major in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations?
Cyberattacks are rising across industries, putting individuals, businesses, and governments at risk and driving strong demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. The Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations degree at Penn State Abington prepares students for high-impact careers protecting information systems, identifying vulnerabilities, securing networks, analyzing cyber threats, and clearly communicating risk to stakeholders.
Students develop hands-on experience in cyber defense, threat detection, security operations, and incident response—skills that align with today’s fastest-growing cybersecurity careers.
Every Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations major completes at least one required internship, and many students receive full-time job offers from their internship employers.
You might thrive in the cybersecurity major if you...
- Have strong math and programming skills with interests in law and policy, psychology, criminology, and business.
- Want to protect digital information, data stores, and computer networks.
- Enjoy working on teams to achieve organizational goals.
Accounting Careers
Job Growth
Estimated 29 percent job growth through 2034
Job Titles and Median Salaries*
- Cybersecurity Analyst: $106,000
- Information Security Analysts: $125,000
- Computer and Information Research Scientists: $141,000
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
Career and Professional Development: Setting You Up for Success
From your first day at Penn State Abington, you can access tools provided by the Career and Professional Development team to prepare for the future.
- On-campus networking opportunities
- Internships
- Supports such as resume reviews and mock interviews
Coursework
Courses concentrate on developing skills in
Incident Handling and Response
Cyber Forensics
Malware Analytics
Risk Management
Decision Theory and Analysis
The Student Experience
Students worked with Penn State faculty to improve cybersecurity among nonprofits in underserved Pennsylvania communities that face challenges due to budget limitations.
