Old Dominion University offers several majors that are closely related to cybersecurity. The first of which being computer engineering. In cybersecurity, we reduce the risk of malicious attacks on software, computers, and networks by designing frameworks that reduce said risks. Computer engineers design and test computer systems and components. Cybersecurity and computer engineers both conduct tests to make sure that the systems that they design are working properly, and ensuring that there are no problems or flaws.
Computer science and cybersecurity are also closely related majors. In fact, cybersecurity is considered to be a subfield of computer science. Computer science majors study computers and computer systems. They also study computer networks and security, just like cybersecurity majors. Computer science majors develop networks and databases, and cybersecurity majors work to protect those databases and networks.
Management information systems (MIS) is another major that is closely related to cybersecurity. MIS majors manage computerized information systems, and can have lots of career options, such as web developers, IT analysts, systems administrators, among other careers. People who major in management information systems focus on a company/organization’s network efficiency and make sure that the networks are functioning properly, while cybersecurity majors scan and inspect networks and try to find weaknesses and vulnerabilities in those networks.
Another major that is closely related with cybersecurity is criminal justice. Criminal justice degrees prepare students for a variety of fields, such as law enforcement, investigation, or corrections. Criminal justice graduates can find careers such as police or correctional officers, private investigators, crime scene investigators, and many other jobs. The field of cybersecurity and criminal justice are similar because in both fields, people work to prevent crime and make the world safer, where cybersecurity majors make the digital world safer, and criminal justice majors make the physical world safer.