Program Spotlight: Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity analysts work with businesses and organizations to keep their computer information systems secure. Their work focuses on finding risks and possible leaks, and developing strategies to prevent breaches.
Like many information technology careers, the need for cyber security analysts is on the rise as the number of cyber attacks increases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of information security analysts is expected to grow 28% through 2026 – a statistic the bureau notes is “much faster than average.”
Stephanie Brice graduated from Howard Community College (HCC) with a degree in cybersecurity and now teaches at the college. Brice had already earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and pre-veterinary medicine from the University of Maryland, College Park – and an associate degree from HCC – but after 13 years in the veterinary world, decided to make a career change.
On a whim, she decided to take a technology course.
“I know the technology field is not changing, it’s only growing,” she said. “I had no fundamental knowledge. I just took it to see if I liked it. And it worked out.”
In her time at HCC, Brice excelled. She was a member of the National Honors Society and made the Dean’s list. She was also enrolled in HCC’s Cisco Networking – the information technology industry’s gold standard. Brice’s skills were so impressive that she was nominated for Cisco Live, Cisco’s largest customer event. With nearly 70 applicants, Brice was chosen as one of 10 students from across the United States and Canada to join the Cisco Networking Academy Dream Team and attend Cisco Live in Orlando.
“That was a whirlwind of an experience,” Brice said. “I’ll never forget it.”