What is Cybersecurity? Cybersecurity focuses on managing, creat- ing, and maintaining secure digital systems. Cybersecurity experts work to protect our most important and private information, such as bank accounts, medical records, military communications, and more. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook, the rapid adoption of emerging technologies is cre- ating new vulnerabilities, while the global cyber skills gap is widening. Nearly two- thirds of organizations report moderate- to-critical workforce shortages, and only 14% say they have the necessary talent to meet their security needs. “Cybersecurity is something that must be managed across people, processes, and technology within an organization. It is critical to ensure business continuity,” Brooks said. A degree in cybersecurity management helps equip graduates with an understanding of both the technical and management sides of cybersecurity, which allows them to progress higher up an or- ganizational ladder more quickly. A busi- ness degree also helps provide graduates with people skills that aren’t part of a tra- ditional curriculum which focuses on the computer science side of cybersecurity. While cybersecurity programs are offered at multiple Tennessee institutions ranging from community to public and private col- leges, MTSU is the only program in the state that has bachelor’s and master’s de- grees and a center related explicitly to cy- bersecurity management, where the cur- riculum blends technical fundamentals with business strategy, covering systems analysis, networking, cryptography, security design, laws and regulations, risk assessment, and contingency planning. “There are many different career paths within cybersecurity that would build upon various skill sets. You can be very technical, managerial, or somewhere in between,” Brooks said. Career Paths Within the Cybersecurity Profession Cybersecurity describes the general prac- tice of protecting and defending com- puter networks and systems from unau- thorized access to data. Inside the practice, there are several career pathways that you can pursue in line with your ca- pabilities and interests. Below is a list of several in-demand cybersecurity careers: n ETHICAL HACKER: Identifies and ex- ploits security vulnerabilities in systems with permission, helping organizations fix weak- nesses before malicious actors can use them. n SECURITY ENGINEER: Designs, builds, and maintains secure network and system infrastructures to defend against cyber threats and unauthorized access. n DATA SECURITY SPECIALIST: Pro- tects sensitive information by implementing security measures, monitoring data access, and ensuring compliance with privacy reg- ulations. n DIGITAL FORENSICS INVESTIGATOR: Analyzes digital evidence to investigate cy- bercrimes, recover data, and trace the source and method of security breaches. n CYBERSECURITY MANAGER: Over- sees an organization’s cybersecurity strategy, policies, and teams to protect systems and data while ensuring regulatory compliance. Learn More About Cybersecurity To learn more, visit cyber.mtsu.edu Tennessee Career Guide | 2026 57 Tennessee’s Top Careers Middle Tennessee State University’s Jones College of Business is shaping the future of cybersecurity education in Tennessee. Its bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Manage- ment blends technical expertise with crit- ical management skills. Students gain hands-on experience in areas like cloud computing, digital forensics, and infra- structure design. This flexible program is available both online and on campus. In October 2025, MTSU launched the new Center for Cybersecurity Management to support the B.S. and M.S. programs and serve as a statewide hub for workforce development, industry collaboration, and community impact. Looking ahead, MTSU is planning to create a Cyber Range, a cutting-edge simulation environment that will give students real-world training in de- fending against cyber threats. To learn more about this program, visit mtsu.edu/cyber. The Information on this career is submitted and sponsored by
