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Virginia College News

Protecting the infrastructure of our nation's technological communications systems has become such a complex and essential part of Internet Technology that it has spawned its own term, "Cybersecurity," in recent years. Cybersecurity focuses on maintaining and improving the security of data and communications systems across the United States. Almost everyone is impacted by the need for cybersecurity in some way, from individuals and small businesses to the largest branches of the government and the armed forces.

Among the threats that are considered priorities to those trained in cybersecurity are hackers, new and evolving computer viruses and cyber-criminals intent on stealing information and identities. Because the Internet and electronic communications is always evolving, highly trained technical specialists are in constant demand. Schools like Virginia College Online are helping meet the need with a specialized Masters Degree program in Cybersecurity.

Says Darrel Hanbury, Director of Admissions at Virginia College Online, "Internet security can no longer be thoroughly addressed within the boundaries of a more general Information Technology degree program. Instead, an IT associate's or bachelor's degree is the foundation on which a student can build a solid understanding of cyber-crime. We offer a Bachelor's Degree in management information systems that leads nicely into the specialized Cybersecurity Master's program."

"We are constantly evolving and updating our online programs to meet the changing needs of our society, which is how the Cybersecurity program came into being. It was developed with direction from the FBI, National Security Agency and other government agencies in order to be a cutting-edge program to enable our graduates to fight hackers, phishing, cyber-terrorism and cyber-criminals."

Infrastructures that are vulnerable to threats by cyber-attack include everything from hospitals to cell phone systems and the Internet. Cyber-terrorism continues to be a concern because it can have such a widespread impact, can quickly spread in a matter of seconds and preserves the anonymity of the attackers. For this very reason, the FBI has established its own cybersecurity special unit, the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC). According to experts, the need for trained cybersecurity specialists will continue to grow over the next few decades and into the foreseeable future.

Virginia College Online's Cybersecurity Master's Degree Program can help anyone with an IT background get the specialized training they need entirely online.