An Iowa cybersecurity firm was recently in the news as it helped the Secretary of State’s office protect election security in 2020. Pratum, the cybersecurity firm, worked with county auditors, IT managers, emergency management professionals, vendor partners and others in developing an incident response plan for Iowa counties to use in case of a variety of scenarios. In addition, Pratum worked with penetration testing, training employees to spot scams in emails, and tracking daily network activity to stop cyber hackers before they could attack. The Iowa-based company is led by Dave Nelson, Founder and CEO.
Chief Cybersecurity Officer of Iowa, Jeff Franklin, noted that the state often draws on the expertise of third-party companies to help to strengthen and build cybersecurity in the state’s networks and computers. “Foreign adversaries and bad actors are constantly looking for ways to disrupt U.S. elections,” Franklin said. “However, Iowans should remain confident that the state and its partners are taking all the necessary steps to protect the sanctity of their vote.”
This is just one of the ways that cybersecurity works in Iowa. If you are interested in the field and are considering getting an associate degree or certificate in Iowa, keep reading to discover ways in which you can do so.
Cybersecurity Law in Iowa
A proposed change to Iowa’s cybersecurity law could give companies with a strong cybersecurity program an incentive to maintain and keep improving that program. Senate File 2073 wants to amend Iowa’s existing data breach statute to provide a defense for companies that have an established, maintained and written cybersecurity program complying with industry standards. It is similar to an Ohio law which states the same type of incentive. This would give Iowa organizations a better reason to develop a strong cybersecurity program, but would not protect an organization from being named as a defendant in a lawsuit resulting from a cyberattack.
Cybersecurity Jobs for Associate Degree/Certificate Holders in Iowa
An associate degree or certificate in cybersecurity in Iowa can help you to land jobs like:
- Cyber Compliance Information Technology Analyst – Booz Allen Hamilton, Des Moines
- IT Security Analyst – Apex Systems, Cedar Rapids
- Staff Systems Engineering Cybersecurity – ENP Network, Cedar Rapids
- Cybersecurity Specialist – AWS Educate, Des Moines
- Information Security Analyst – Palmer Group, Des Moines
- Security Engineer- Epic, Des Moines
- Information Security Analyst – TMC Transportation, Des Moines
- Cybersecurity/IT Auditor – Secure Guard Consulting, Waukee
- Cybersecurity Presales Technical Architect – Sirius Computer Solutions, Des Moines
- Network Security Analyst Server Associate – Linn County, Cedar Rapids
What Are Some Cybersecurity Associate Degrees in Iowa?
In Iowa, titles of associate cybersecurity degrees include:
- Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology – Cybersecurity
- Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology – Networking for Systems & Security
- Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity & Systems Administration
- Associate of Applied Science in Information Assurance & Security
- Associate of Applied Science in Cyber Security & Digital Crime
- Associate of Applied Science in Networking Administration & Security
Associate Degree and Certificate Cybersecurity Programs in Iowa
Before you choose an associate degree or certificate program in cybersecurity in Iowa, be sure that the school in which it is housed is accredited by a regional accreditation agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE)
In 1999, the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created the National Centers of Academic Excellence program to establish especially excellent undergraduate and graduate programs in cybersecurity. Termed Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), such programs are found all across the nation, including within Iowa.
Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education in Iowa
Just one Iowa cybersecurity certificate program is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD):
- Iowa State University – Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance
Information Assurance Center
371 Durham Hall
Ames, IA 50011-1046
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2021
Doug Jacobson, Chair, Information Assurance Center
(515) 294-8307; [email protected]
Other Iowa Associate Degree and Certificate Cybersecurity Programs
Other associate degree and certificate programs in cybersecurity in Iowa include:
- Eastern Iowa Community College –
—Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology -Cybersecurity
—Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology – Networking for Systems & Security
—Diploma in Networking for Cybersecurity
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
101 W. Third St.
Davenport, IA 52801
(888) 336-3907; [email protected]
- Indian Hills Community College – Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity & Systems Administration
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Advanced Technologies
525 Grandview Ave.
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Barry Houser, Professor
(641) 683-5111, ext. 1740; [email protected]
- North Iowa Area Community College – Associate of Applied Science in Information Assurance & Security
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Business Division
500 College Drive
Mason City, IA 50401
(888) GO-NIACC
- Western Iowa Tech Community College –
—Associate of Applied Science in Cyber Security & Digital Crime
—Associate of Applied Science in Networking Administration & Security
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
4647 Stone Ave
Sioux City, IA 51106
Ryan Sporrer, Contact
(712) 274-6400, Ext 1494; [email protected]
Iowa Associate Cybersecurity Degree Program Coursework
Classes that you can expect to take in an associate degree cybersecurity program in Iowa include:
- Introduction to Programming
- IT Essentials
- Network Essentials
- Operating Systems
- Information Data Assurance
- Computer Forensics
- Database and SQL
- Windows Network Management
- Python for Cyber Security Professionals
- Implementing Security Policies and Procedures
Iowa Cybersecurity Certificates
Other cybersecurity-related certificates available in Iowa include:
- Networking for Systems and Security, Certificate
- Networking for Systems and Security, Diploma
- Cyber Security Graduate Certificate
- Certificate in Information Security
- Digital Forensic Investigation Certificate
Cybersecurity Salary in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the United States Department of Labor, the average median wage for information security analysts in Iowa, as of May 2019, is $87,080. Of course, salaries vary depending upon where in Iowa you work, as noted below:
- Ames $76,030
- Cedar Falls $79,670
- Cedar Rapids $92,000
- Davenport $90,430
- Des Moines $92,610
- Dubuque $59,860
- Iowa City $72,730
- Moline $90,430
- Rock Island $90,430
- Southeast nonmetro area $90,850
- Waterloo $79,670
- West Des Moines $92,610
As you can see from the figures above, getting an associate degree and/or certificate in cybersecurity in Iowa could provide you with a very lucrative, safe and secure future!