New Hampshire established a Cyber Integration Center (NHCIC) by Executive Order in 2016. This is designed to be a unified state center to coordinate cybersecurity among state executive governmental branch agencies and departments. Staff in the NHCIC are responsible for monitoring cybersecurity operations and networks, reporting threats, analyzing threats, sharing information, and coordinating response activities. An agency was also established in which New Hampshire citizens can report suspicious online activity, called the NH Information and Analysis Center (NH-IAC).
New Hampshire is clearly being proactive when it comes to responding to cybersecurity threats and the need for increased cybersecurity awareness. One New Hampshire information technology company, Red River, recently launched a product called SecureEDU. This is a cybersecurity solution designed for K-12 school districts. During this uncertain time when COVID-19 is forcing public school systems to work online, cybersecurity is more important than ever. This product is an attempt to safeguard personal privacy as well as critical information assets.
If you would like to work in the exciting, emerging field of cybersecurity in New Hampshire, getting a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity will set you on your way. Keep reading to discover how you can accomplish this goal and earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in New Hampshire.
Cybersecurity in the News in New Hampshire
In June 2020, a group of U.S. Senators introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would allocate funding for each state to have its own cybersecurity coordinator. One of the senators sponsoring this amendment was Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire. Each state’s cybersecurity coordinator would be appointed by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, under the direction of the Department of Homeland Security. It is hoped that the addition of a state coordinator would help each state to combat the increasing number of cyber threats they face daily. In December 2019, Emsisoft, a security firm, reported that more than 960 local government agencies, educational institutions and healthcare entities had fallen victim to ransomware attacks.
New Hampshire Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree
You will become eligible for many different cybersecurity jobs in New Hampshire once you earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. They include, but are not limited to:
- Cyber Security, Information Systems Security Officer – BAE Systems, Nashua
- IT Specialist (Information Security)- US Department of Defense, Portsmouth
- Information Security Analyst – Centripetal Networks, Portsmouth
- Cybersecurity Analyst – Cedent Consulting, Merrimack
- Cyber Security Specialist- Atlantic Broadband, Rochester
- Senior Cyber Security Analyst – CyberCoders, Lebanon
- Cyber Threat Analyst – Lincoln Financial Group, Dover
- Cybersecurity Analyst – Mindteck, Merrimack
- Security Analyst – Alexander Technology Group, Manchester
- Cybersecurity Specialist – Liberty Mutual, Portsmouth
Accredited Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Cybersecurity in New Hampshire
When you are selecting a bachelor’s in cybersecurity degree program in New Hampshire, make sure that the school that offers it is regionally accredited by an agency listed with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Titles in New Hampshire
Cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programs in New Hampshire go by the following titles:
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security
- Bachelor of Arts/Science in Computer Science- Minor in Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science- Cybersecurity Specialization
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management
Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE)
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created a program to highlight the best undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity degree programs in the country, called the National Centers of Academic Excellence.
Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education in New Hampshire
There is just one school in New Hampshire that offers cybersecurity programs in holding the distinction of being named Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) under the NSA-DHS National Centers for Academic Excellence program:
- University of New Hampshire –
—Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science – Minor in Cybersecurity
—Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security (Manchester and Durham campuses)
Dept. of Computer Science
Kingsbury Hall N229, 33 Academic Way
Durham, NH 03824
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2024
(603) 862-3778; [email protected]
Other Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Cybersecurity in New Hampshire
More bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity programs exist in New Hampshire, like:
- Keene State College – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science- Specialization in Cybersecurity
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
229 Main Street
Keene, NH 03435
(603) 358-2276
- New England College/partnership with Dallas College – Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
98 Bridge St.
Henniker, NH 03242
(603) 428-2000
- Plymouth State University – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science- Minor in Cybersecurity
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
17 High Street
Plymouth, NH 03264-1595
(603) 535-5000
- Rivier University – Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
420 S. Main St.
Nashua, NH 03060
(603) 888-1311
- Southern New Hampshire University – Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (online) (concentrations in Data Analytics and Project Management available)
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Cyber Security Center of Excellence
2500 North River Road
Manchester, NH 03106
Jonathan Kamyck, Associate Dean of Cyber Security
(888) 327-SNHU; [email protected]
New Hampshire Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Curriculum
Coursework that you can expect to take in a bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity in New Hampshire includes:
- Cyber Defense
- Cybersecurity Foundations
- Enterprise Security
- Incident Investigation and Response
- Introduction to Computer Networks
- Introduction to Scripting
- Network Security
- Security Risk Management
Cybersecurity Certifications in New Hampshire
After completing your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in New Hampshire, consider seeking one (or more) of the following professional certifications, to add to your credentials:
- Security+ (CompTIA)
- Secure Infrastructure Specialist (CompTIA)
- Project+ (CompTIA)
- Network+ (CompTIA)
- IT Operations Specialist (CompTIA)
- Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
- A+ (CompTIA)
Job Prospects for New Hampshire Cybersecurity Professionals
New Hampshire Employment Security published its Occupational Outlook from 2018 to 2028. In this publication, it is noted that job opportunities for information security analysts (the occupational title in which cybersecurity professionals are included) are projected to increase by a whopping 34.3 percent from 2018 to 2028. The top industries for information security analysts are to remain the same in the state: Insurance Carriers and Related Activities; Data Processing, Hosting and Related Services; and Computer Systems Design and Related Services. What does this mean for you, if you are graduating with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in New Hampshire? It means that you should have no trouble finding a good cybersecurity job within the state for some time to come.