The Best Online Doctorate in Information Systems Security Programs

A study from the Online Trust Alliance found cyberattacks against businesses doubled from 2016 to 2017, with more than 159,000 attacks reported. Most of these attacks could have been prevented with better information security policies and employee training. Earning an online doctorate information systems security degree prepares managers and executives for the ever-evolving challenges of protecting data and sensitive information from would-be cybercriminals.

Professionals in computer information systems management earn a median salary of $139,220. As companies store more sensitive information in connected databases and cloud servers, the need for executives who understand how to protect that information continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) anticipates a 12% growth in employment through 2026.

For more degree and career info, jump to:

• Choosing an Online Doctorate in Information Systems Security Program
• What Else Can I Expect From an Online Doctorate in Information Systems Security Program?
• Careers with a Doctorate in Information Systems Security

Online Doctorate in Information Systems Security Programs

Online Doctorate in Information Systems Degree Program Ranking Guidelines: We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.

RANKING METHODOLOGY

Methodology for College Rankings

The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:

The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.

To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet — TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):

1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]

• Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
• Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
• Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
• Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
• Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
• Considers range of electives within that discipline
• Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline

2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]

• Considers education background of the faculty
• Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
• Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
• Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
• Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources

3. Reputation [weight = 20%]

• Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
  • Faculty
  • Curriculum
  • “Freshness” of academic knowledge
  • Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
  • Suitability of graduates for the workplace

4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]

• Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
• Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants

5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]

• Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
• Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business

6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]

• Considers the following of the online classes:
  • Types of online technology used to deliver content
  • Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
  • Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
  • Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
• Considers the following of instructors:
  • Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
  • Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
  • Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
  • Ratio to number of students in a class
• Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees

Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.

To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:

• Accreditation
• Public or private status
• Acceptance rate
• Retention rate
• Graduation rate
• ACT/SAT requirements
• Cost in-state / out of state
• Undergrad, grad, or both offered
• Region
• State
• City

Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!

If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.

Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “ Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “ Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!

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  Liberty University Online

Lynchburg, Virginia

Located in central Virginia, Liberty University lies just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Lynchburg. As one of the country's largest private nonprofit universities, Liberty's enrollment includes more than 94,000 online students. Liberty offers 349 online programs, including 38 doctoral programs like the doctor of business administration (DBA) in information systems.

Liberty offers all courses in this 60-credit information security systems degree online, although students may take some intensive courses on campus. Liberty suggests students complete three years of consecutive coursework, followed by a year and a half of writing a dissertation, although students may finish the degree sooner. Liberty allows DBA students seeking an online doctorate in information systems security to transfer up to 15 credits. Core courses include topics such as research methods, strategic thinking, and human resource management. The DBA specialization in information systems consists of 12 hours of related coursework.

  University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky

Located in the southeastern Kentucky city of Williamsburg, University of the Cumberlands was initially founded in 1888 by a group of Baptist ministers as the Williamsburg Institute. The school became University of the Cumberlands (UC) in 2005 and currently educates approximately 11,500 students, roughly two-thirds of whom are graduate students.

All courses in UC's 60-credit doctor of philosophy in information technology can be taken online at your own pace. The online doctorate in information systems security includes 18 hours of core courses, 18 hours of professional research including a dissertation, and 24 hours of content specialty courses such as cybersecurity. Students learn to use predictive analytics and identify cyberthreats. Students must have completed a master's degree and earned a GPA of 3.0 or above before applying for an information systems security degree online.

Choosing an Online Doctorate in Information Systems Security Program

An information security systems degree integrates technical skills with policy creation and organizational leadership. Many schools require applicants to complete a graduate entrance exam (like the GRE) and demonstrate professional experience in computer programming or information systems management. Most schools also require applicants to have earned a master's degree, though some schools do offer integrated master's and doctorate programs.

The Ph.D. curriculum focuses on applied research in data security, providing practical solutions to real-world problems. As such, students study advanced computer programming fieldwork, data analytics, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. Many schools offer concentrations for specific careers, like healthcare information, human-computer interaction design, and information assurance. Depending on the program, expect to spend three to seven years completing upwards of 60 credits. Online programs often offer flexibility for working professionals, though some require on-campus or fieldwork components.

The dissertation provides a comprehensive evaluation of what you've learned and your ability to apply independent research to organizational challenges. You often work with a team of mentors to develop a topic in your area of interest and conduct research and data analysis. It can take several terms to complete the dissertation, capped by an oral defense that evaluates your research methodology, conclusions, and communication skills. The dissertation allows for greater specialization in your chosen field.

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What Else Can I Expect From an Online Doctorate in Information Systems Security Program?

While exact course requirements vary, earning an information systems security degree online builds upon your prior training in computer science and programming. Expect to study theoretical principles and demonstrate the practical application of those principles through projects and a dissertation and oral defense.

Curriculum for an Online Doctoral Degree in Information Systems Security

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Careers with a Doctorate in Information Systems Security

An online information security degree prepares graduates for careers developing secure data networks and instituting proper security protocols for organizations like banks, federal agencies, and technical consulting firms. Advanced technical skills, combined with data analytics knowledge, allows graduates to take on leadership roles in any organization, leading technology security efforts.

1. Chief Information Officer:
   These executives focus on data processing, information networks, and long-term information technology purchasing priorities. They often develop organization-wide policies to protect sensitive information from phishing or malware attacks and institute ongoing training to ensure all staff understand how to prevent security breaches.
   • Median Annual Salary: $139,220
   • Projected Growth Rate: 12%
2. Computer Network Architect:
   Network architects determine the hardware and software needs of an organization, providing ongoing support to the company. They analyze data traffic and determine how to best meet short- and long-term information technology needs, often presenting their findings to top-level executives. They provide training for staff and troubleshoot technical problems.
   • Median Annual Salary: $104,650
   • Projected Growth Rate: 6%
3. Network and Computer Systems Administrator:
   Systems administrators install and maintain hardware and software across internal networks. They implement network security policies and set up monitoring to provide early warnings for data breaches. They help determine future network needs and train employees to use new software.
   • Median Annual Salary: $81,100
   • Projected Growth Rate: 6%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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