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Computers are an indispensable part of education, health care, government, and private industry better opening sentence. Computers process, transfer, and store information – some of which is extremely sensitive and valuable. People who work in information security work with computers and data systems to make sure that that information remains secure. An online PhD in Information Security (also called Information Assurance and Security or Management of Information Systems and Technology) gives you the skills and training to safeguard the sensitive information of millions of citizens by creating and implementing secure computer systems and training others to use them.

Online PhD in Information Security Requirements

In order to begin a top online PhD in Information Security, you must have a master’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 from an accredited United States school. These masters’ degrees can be in any Information Security related field, including:

• Computer technology
• Systems management
• Software design
• Information Technology

You also need to attend occasional on-campus workshops, have at least 3 years of work experience, and have three letters of recommendation. Many people come to an online PhD program from careers in information technology, business management, systems management, or software design.

Online PhD in Information Security Education

The education required to earn the best online PhDs in Information Security includes reading, writing, research, and hands-on applications. The skills you learn will enable you to provide leadership in Information Security from an organizational standpoint as well as from industry-wide and global points of view. These online doctoral degrees usually take about 2 years to complete.

Information on Information Security Courses

The online PhD in Information Security includes a mixture of research, theory, and practice. Students will learn how to research deeply into certain topics, analyze the research, write about it, and then apply it to real life situations. Some of the classes most online PhD students in Information Technology can expect to take include:

• Information Technology Research and Practice. This class teaches students how to research their topics and how to apply that research to real situations.
• Survey of Research Literature in Information Technology Management. Students will learn what the leading published works in information security are and how this literature can help them in their current and future research.
• Information Technology Technical Foundations. A technical foundations course explores the physical reality of computer systems and how they work.
• Information Technology Delivery. This class will teach students how to make the connections between educational theory and the installation of security systems in various situations.
• Information Technology Strategy and Management. Students will learn how to plan a comprehensive security strategy and to manage its implementation in a variety of settings.

Specializations and Concentrations

Because informational technology is so far reaching and so vital to every aspect of the economy, students can choose to focus their studies on one area of concentration that they are particularly interested in or skilled in. Some of these include:

• Information technology education
• Information technology management
• Risk management

Careers in Information Security

An online PhD in Information Security qualifies you to become an indispensable leader in the government and private sectors, because every business or area of service has to keep its information secure. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for those holding a PhD in Information Technology is $100,000 per year. Jobs with the best earning potential include:

• Professor
  Information security professors teach important and specific knowledge and so are in high demand. The need for these professors will increase as the need for students qualified in information security increases. The average salary for university professors is $115,564,according to Jobs-Salary.com.
• Information Security Crime Investigator
  This job involves figuring out how online crimes or information theft are committed, gathering evidence, and ensuring that no further security breaches happen. Investigators make up to $80,000 per year.
• System, Network, or Web Penetration Tester
  This job is like being a hacker, but getting paid for it, according to SANS.org. Your job is to try to break into a computer system, and thereby identify its weaknesses, so they can be fixed. According to MyInformation SecurityJob.com, these employees earn from $90,000 to $125,000 per year.
• Director of Security
  Directors of Security are in charge of designing and maintaining all information security systems for an organization or institution. They average salaries of $100,000.

An online PhD in Information Security from a top school will prepare you for one of the fastest growing areas of employment the future holds. An online doctorate is a great way to prepare yourself to succeed.