In recent years, the swift acceleration of online business activity has required thoughtful prioritization of cybersecurity measures. From e-commerce to cloud storage solutions, cyber permeates every aspect of modern business; each cyber portal represents an opportunity for online malfeasance.
Cybercrimes target opportunities to wreak havoc and steal or extort wealth, objectives that place businesses squarely in cybercriminals’ sights. Attacks are frequent and pernicious: following a data breach, publicly traded companies lose 7.5 percent of their stock value on average, with a mean market capitalization loss of $5.4 billion. Worse still, cybersecurity attacks relentlessly evolve to undermine the global digital infrastructure.
To stay vigilant against cybercrime and protect the bottom line, C-suites need comprehensive, continuous cyber-solutions. Which is to say: They need business cybersecurity professionals who are experts in protecting customer information and other critical business assets.
The field of business cybersecurity, as its name indicates, spans both business expertise and cybersecurity principles. The discipline is ideal for professionals who want to translate the technical aspects of cybersecurity into comprehensive business strategies. Through programs like the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s online Master of Science in Business Cybersecurity (MSBC), students who aspire to bring end-to-end encryption and leading cyber-solutions to functional business areas can acquire the skills to build organizational cyber resilience.
Become a Business Leader in an Emerging Field
Study Cybersecurity in a Business Context
The Growing Need for Business Cybersecurity Professionals
Cybersecurity Ventures, the preeminent researcher in the cyber ecosystem, projects that cybercrime will cost the global economy upwards of $10.5 trillion per year by 2025. The prognosis underscores what many business and technology leaders already know: Cybercrime is on the rise, and it exacts a steep cost.
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of daily cybercrime rose by 400 percent, an uptick that shows no signs of slowing down. And while these attacks may occur online, they come with a real business cost—as much as $4.5 million per data breach worldwide, according to data collected by IBM in 2023.
These indicators point to the importance of cybersecurity initiatives across industries, but implementing cost-saving security measures remains a challenge for most business leaders. A cybersecurity employment gap of 3.5 million and technical language barriers dividing boardroom and backend cyber-professionals pose major obstacles to effective cybersecurity measures.
The need for business cybersecurity professionals and leaders—specifically those who can translate cyber initiatives into plain language for organizational stakeholders—cannot be overstated. The demand for tech-savvy business leaders capable of protecting network security and profits is universal. While traditional master’s in business and master’s in cybersecurity remain valuable degree paths for professionals who plan to occupy either type of leadership role, a business cybersecurity degree uniquely prepares candidates to bridge the two organizational interests.
A Master’s Degree That Meets Cybersecurity Challenges Head-On
Through the online business degree developed by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, MS in Business Cybersecurity students can address the vulnerabilities of digital infrastructure while effectively communicating the risks to other business stakeholders.
MSBC coursework invokes the strategic business framework you’ll find in a traditional business master’s degree program, taught through the lens of cybersecurity. The online program curriculum, designed by faculty from the Haslam College of Business Department of Accounting and Information Management, approaches core cybersecurity tenets progressively over the span of ten courses.
The program curriculum provides comprehensive subject coverage, from get to go. As a result, MS in Business Cybersecurity applicants do not need a technical undergraduate degree to apply. Online master’s students build an extensive understanding of how to protect sensitive information assets and defend against cyberthreats from their first semester. Courses like Foundations of Business Cybersecurity equip students with the entry-level cybersecurity training they need for advanced cyber coursework.
Beyond the technical components of cybersecurity, business-centered courses like Risk Management and Business Continuity focus on how successful business leaders navigate the digital ecosystem.
The program culminates in a hands-on capstone project that challenges learners to build cybersecurity solutions and communicate their plans externally. Students complete the program with an interdisciplinary understanding of technical evolutions in the field and the know-how to mitigate new cyberthreats.
At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, you will build the cybersecurity knowledge you need to protect business assets and achieve organizational goals. By learning the mechanisms of effective cybersecurity strategies in a business context, you’ll complete the program prepared to step into a leadership role in a growing field.
Career Opportunities at the Forefront of Business Cybersecurity
Less than half of all business and cyber-leaders feel they have adequate cybersecurity staff, according to the World Economic Forum 2023 Global Security Outlook report. The same report highlighted the need for cybersecurity personnel capable of translating technical information into a common language for business and board members.
The takeaway? Organizational success today requires professionals who can understand cybersecurity in a business context. The world needs more of them.
Students pursuing a University of Tennessee Knoxville master’s degree in business with a cybersecurity framework learn how to communicate complex cybersecurity concepts to non-tech stakeholders. That skill is essential to leading effective cyber-strategies and ensuring business continuity. With an MS in Business Cybersecurity, you should be able to pursue technical leadership positions, including the business cybersecurity careers listed below.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Responsible for developing technical infrastructure that protects information systems and assets from cyberthreats, cybersecurity analysts with a master’s degree earn a median base salary of $128,870. (ZipRecruiter)
IT Director
An information technology director oversees digital strategies, operations, and teams to ensure effective cybersecurity infrastructure and alignment with organizational goals. The average base salary for an IT director is $199,576 (Salary.com).
IT Technical Consultant
Technical consultants audit a client’s existing security framework and provide organizations with comprehensive network solutions to mitigate cyberthreats. While the average IT consultant earns a median salary of $80,137, top consultants earn over $115,00.
Explore the Online MS in Business Cybersecurity
Success in an emerging field takes a new kind of degree. Whether you’re a seasoned cybersecurity professional or an aspiring business leader interested in developing a technical base, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s online Master of Science in Business Cybersecurity delivers the convergence of business and cyber-skills that can help you succeed.
To learn more about the opportunities available with the 30-credit graduate program, take the next step and contact our enrollment team for a brief informational phone call. If you’re ready to solve top cyber-challenges in a business context, you can start your online MSBC application today.