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Studies & Degrees in Computer Security

Computer security, also called cybersecurity or information security, is the field that protects computers, networks and data from unauthorised access, theft and damage. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sums up the work of an information security analyst as planning and carrying out security measures to protect an organisation's computer networks and systems.

Students learn how networks and operating systems work and where they fail. Typical subjects are network and system hardening, access control and authentication, cryptography, secure software deployment, incident response, digital forensics, ethical hacking (penetration testing) and the law that applies to data and systems. The cybersecurity programme of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, for example, builds on core courses in information security principles, data communications networks and computer system security.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degrees. Some universities offer a full bachelor's degree in cybersecurity; elsewhere security is a specialisation within computer science or computer engineering. At SUNY Polytechnic Institute the programme is run by the Electrical and Computer Engineering department. In Spain an official bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits.
  • Master's degrees. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits, and 60 ECTS credits equal one full year of study. In the United States, the Master of Science in Cybersecurity of SUNY Polytechnic Institute is offered online and on campus, and full-time students can complete it within 18 months. Applicants without a background in cybersecurity or a related field may enter after completing prerequisite coursework.
  • Vocational training in Spain. The official specialisation course in cybersecurity in information technology environments (Curso de Especialización en Ciberseguridad en Entornos de las Tecnologías de la Información) lasts 720 hours. It is open to holders of certain higher vocational (grado superior) qualifications in computing and telecommunications, such as Administración de Sistemas Informáticos en Red. Its modules are cybersecurity incidents, hardening of networks and systems, secure deployment, computer forensics, ethical hacking and cybersecurity regulations. According to TodoFP, the portal of the Spanish Ministry of Education, the qualification for a higher-level course is called Máster de Formación Profesional.
  • Short and online courses. SEAS, Estudios Abiertos offers an online Curso de Ciberseguridad of 150 hours and 6 ECTS credits. SEAS states that the certificate is a university's own qualification (título propio) issued by the Universidad San Jorge, and that applicants must be over 18.
  • Industry certification. According to the BLS, many employers prefer candidates who hold an information security certification. Some certificates are for entry-level workers and others for experienced staff.

Where to study computer security

SpainExchange lists 12 active schools for computer security: eight in Spain, three in the United States and one in France.

In Spain the list includes the Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, the distance-learning centres SEAS, Estudios Abiertos (Zaragoza), Neptunos Formación (Seville) and Bureau Veritas Business School (Madrid), and the training centres CCC Centro de Estudios (Madrid), CEAS - Internacional (Palencia) and CENEC Málaga. In the United States it includes SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, New York, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania and Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In France it includes the Rennes campus of SUPINFO.

The Spanish schools publish their course information in Spanish and the US schools in English; confirm the language of instruction with each school. Much of the technical documentation in this field is in English, so a working reading level helps in any country. Several of the Spanish schools teach online, which makes it possible to study from abroad; check with the school what kind of qualification each course leads to.

Careers

Graduates work as security analysts, security auditors and consultants, penetration testers (ethical hackers), incident responders and forensic analysts. TodoFP lists cybersecurity expert, cybersecurity auditor, cybersecurity consultant and ethical hacker as the job profiles of the Spanish specialisation course.

According to the BLS, information security analysts monitor networks for security breaches and investigate them, maintain software such as firewalls and data encryption programs, and check systems for vulnerabilities. They held about 192,900 jobs in the United States in 2025, and employment is projected to grow 21 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. The largest employers were computer systems design and related services (22 percent) and finance and insurance (17 percent). With experience, analysts may advance to chief security officer or another computer and information systems management post.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a degree to work in computer security?

Usually, but not always. According to the BLS, information security analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field, although some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma plus relevant industry training and certifications.

Can I study computer security through vocational training in Spain?

Yes. The official specialisation course in cybersecurity lasts 720 hours and is taken after a higher vocational qualification in computing or telecommunications, such as Administración de Sistemas Informáticos en Red.

Can I study computer security online?

Yes. SUNY Polytechnic Institute offers its Master of Science in Cybersecurity online and on campus, and SEAS offers a 150-hour online cybersecurity course.

Is there demand for computer security specialists?

In the United States the BLS projects employment of information security analysts to grow 21 percent from 2025 to 2035.