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You don’t. Ever since China made money export in any great amount virtually impossible, the local Chinese have found their own way to do it through Hong Kong.Here’s a great article from Investments for Expats[1][1][1][1]. It’s long, but it shows you all the strategies possible and the costs.HOW TO GET YOUR MONEY OUT OF CHINA [2][2][2][2]Getting Money Out of China: A Full Review[One of the most frequent questions that I have been asked by expats and Chinese in my time in China is how to get money out of China. The government wants to keep the money in RMB as this will give it more leverage. The more money it has, the more it can borrow, therefore to stimulate the economy or keep production going at a significant rate it wants to keep the money in China and in the economy. Say, this is why it wants to keep the money in China, add to this the fact the trade war has seen RMB a reduction (as of Jan 2020) of 10% against the USD. The Chinese government seems to be getting more authoritarian about China and need citizen scores as of 2019 and an I.D to do anything. Finally, the slow GDP growth and the need to print more money to stimulate the economy and having high currency in reserve to make this feasible it will only in my prediction become harder, so what are the options as we stand.] [3][3][3][3]Getting Money Out of China via Hong Kong in 2020[Some expats try to get RMB out of China through Hong Kong. However, some of the methods used to do so aren’t cost-effective. Time is money, so taking a flight to Hong Kong from Shanghai, Shenyang or Beijing to get money out of China, doesn’t make much sense. Even if you live in Shenzhen, going to HK will take a day, moreover, unless you have HKID. It isn’t always easy to open up a bank account and in most cases, you need to use a money changer, which doesn’t make any sense. This is because you will be left with cash in your hand, and then you will still need to transfer the cash, and it isn’t easy or safe to change considerable amounts of money. Assuming you are reaching the 20,000RMB allowance, you could also be stopped at customs using this method. With the current troubles in Hong Kong, this option seems even more difficult than 6 months ago.] [4][4][4][4]Getting money out of China via Western Union in 2020[You could also send money out of China by Western Union. You can see why this is an attractive option because Western Union has branches even in small Chinese cities. However, the fees and currency rates are terrible, meaning that you are often paying 7%-10% to send your money if you include the direct and indirect cost. Western Union only charges $15-$30 for the transfer typically but added to a bad currency rate, this an expensive option. Companies similar to Western Union might say they are commission-free, but the conversion rates are a killer. In addition to that, it isn’t always very practical to send money via Western Union. I have met countless expats in China, whose family literally had to collect the money on the other side of China.] [5][5][5][5]Getting Money Out of China via Chinese Bank in 2020[Another way is via a Chinese bank account. Banks in China typically have better currency rates than Western Union and their competitors in the West. However, as a foreign national, you often have a $500 per transaction limit. This low limit, like Western Union, means it is also expensive, as even a $25 fee is 5% of the transfer, and then you have other small fees, such as the 1%-2% indirect currency charge. If you have a close Chinese friend, they can send up to $50,000 a year to you. By putting the money in their bank account, they can send money to you. The ability to spend more money at once means the fees are lower. As an example, if you send $10,000 per time, you may have a $30 one-off bank fee, add the 1%-2% exchange rate fee, indirectly it is costing you 1.3%-2.3%. If you only send $2,000-$5,000, the charges could top 3%. Ultimately, sending money to your home country isn’t always the best option and 1%-3% every time adds up. Look at it this way, If you are sending money home to contribute to a pension, you are paying 1%-3% before you add the fees for the investment. Another way to look at it is instead of investing $100,000, you may only have $97,000 to invest. If your investments go up by 10%, that is the difference between $110,000 and $106,700! Every year for 10 years, that really adds up – it could be $50,000+ compounded.] [6][6][6][6][That isn’t to mention there are certain ramifications of sending too much money home. In the UK, as an example, you can only earn £3,000 from gifts each year. If you are using a Chinese friend to send money on your behalf, this may be considered a gift. Even though they are essentially using your money, as you are just using them as a gateway to funnel your own money into the country, their name will appear as the sender. Many banks automatically inform HMRC about any payments above £5,000 Sterling or any potential suspicious payments, even if you haven’t done anything wrong, too many payments from overseas gets flagged. You may, therefore, need to prove you are really an expat to avoid tax on the money. Australians, Canadians and many other expats face similar issues. Another issue with Chinese banks is, they often refuse to send money outside of China if you are paying for something which isn’t in your name. In other words, if you want to pay for a deposit on a house or anything else that isn’t a bank or investment account in your name, you might be refused.] [7][7][7][7]Sending Money Out of China via Bitcoin in 2020[Bitcoin might not have the best reputation in the world, but it is possible to send money out of China using Bitcoin. Needless to say, however, the highly volatile nature of bitcoin, which can fluctuate by 25% in a day, means that it shouldn’t be used to transfer money overseas. Moreover, the Chinese Government is cracking down on Bitcoin payments. In 2017, they banned Bitcoin exchanges, meaning it is difficult to buy and sell Bitcoin in RMB. After the ban, some people have stated some peer-to-peer exchanges to get around the ban. The process isn’t easy, however, the coins are still too volatile to use to exchange money without significant losses being a possibility.][8][8][8][8]Sending Money Out of China via PayPal in 2020[PayPal is one of the oldest methods for sending money out of China. It is a viable option, but the fees are once again the big issue. There are also many processes involved here, like setting up a separate Chinese PayPal account. This PayPal account should be linked to your Chinese bank account. You can then send money from your Chinese PayPal to your UK or US PayPal, although there are several steps you need to take to make this happen. The total fees can be high because you are paying for the international transfer (typically 0.5%-2%) plus the currency conversion.][9][9][9][9]Sending Money Out via Investing in 2020[A better option is to invest overseas in USD, Euros or Pounds when you are living offshore. In the same way that ISAs were originally designed for UK nationals living in the UK to save and invest in a tax-efficient way, the UK overseas territories like the Isle of Man were originally designed to allow expats to invest whilst they live overseas. Expats living overseas have options available to them from locations such as Hong Kong and the Isle of Man, which are much cheaper than other options they have in China and especially cheaper than incurring the costs of sending money home via one of the aforementioned vehicles. This is particularly a great option for expats who have a visa and other international cards because often the premiums can be taken out from RMB and converted to USD or GBP. Another advantage of this option is speed. I have helped clients set up accounts in 48-72 hours, and all the documents can be done online.][10][10][10][10]Property For Getting Money Out of China in 2020[Many Chinese and expats living in mainland China are interested in property in the US, UK, and many other countries. There are a few currency companies I am aware of that have excellent currency exchange rates for people who are looking to send money out of China in a lump sum. Given the fees involved, however, this option is only good for people who have 40,000GBP (about $55,000) or more to send as a lump sum. Using a currency company for monthly investments isn’t a viable option.][11][11][11][11]Getting Money Out of China for Chinese in 2020[For returning Chinese with foreign passports, it is often easy to get money out of the country. Ultimately, China doesn’t allow joint passports. So returnee Chinese with foreign passports are legally expats, even though they were born in China.][12][12][12][12][For local Chinese, as mentioned previously, it is possible to send $50,000 worth out of China in a lump sum. All such accounts can be done online or via physical application forms, with some of the larger institutions that are available through brokers .][13][13][13][13][For Chinese people who want to invest more than $50,000, one of the most effective ways is to invest a further $500-$700 a month through a regular savings plan. The reason why this is effective, is that the money is taken out of RMB and put into a USD account. Therefore, it seems more like a bill payment, rather than an investment. It is only when premiums become much higher that the banks start asking questions and/or the credit or debit card limit has been reached. With that being said, it is much easier to send money outside of China using Visa or MasterCard, than UnionPay. The majority of Chinese sending money outside of China are middle-class consumers who have access to these international credit and debit cards. Some Chinese people are worried about their information automatically being shared with the Chinese tax authorities, and the rules being applied retrospectively. In other words, in 2020 the laws are changed to only allow Chinese people to spend $40,000 overseas, and the Chinese authorities apply a retrospective tax to people who used the previously $50,000 allowance. This is unlikely to be an issue as some offshore US territories do not share tax information. ][14][14][14][14]Footnotes[1] https://investmentsforexpats.com/how-to-get-your-money-out-of-china/[1] https://investmentsforexpats.com/how-to-get-your-money-out-of-china/[1] https://investmentsforexpats.com/how-to-get-your-money-out-of-china/[1] https://investmentsforexpats.com/how-to-get-your-money-out-of-china/[2] Page on investmentsforexpats.com[2] Page on investmentsforexpats.com[2] Page on investmentsforexpats.com[2] Page on investmentsforexpats.com[3] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[3] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[3] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[3] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[4] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[4] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[4] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[4] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[5] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[5] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[5] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[5] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[6] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[6] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[6] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[6] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[7] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[7] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[7] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[7] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[8] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[8] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[8] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[8] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[9] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[9] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[9] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[9] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[10] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[10] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[10] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[10] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[11] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[11] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[11] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[11] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[12] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[12] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[12] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[12] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[13] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[13] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[13] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[13] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[14] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[14] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[14] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats[14] How To Get Your Money Out of China - Investments for Expats

There’s one banking service that could literally skyrocket in the future for its modern approach and its catchy way of arranging all your expenses. It surely needs some improvements but Monzo is undoubtedly one of the right candidates for best card and banking service in the UK. It started as the perfect card for youngsters to spare money during their holidays for the free commissions it has offered and now it has become the best management tool to administrate your after-salary expenses in 2020.Once Monzo launched their first card in 2015, back then the card was not a current account, it lacked most basic features, just direct debits and basic payment options, and it was not even called Monzo, it was first known as Mondo and the company had to change its name after it tried to register the trademark.A quick host of users followed and the Monzo name arrived in 2016. Monzo offered fairly basic but very brightly coloured prepaid cards until 2018 when they launched their current account, almost exactly a year after they were granted their banking license.Today the company is fast becoming one of the most popular challenger banks in the UK valued at £2 billion in the last funding round in 2019 with over 3 million customers.As they continue to grow and expand, let’s take a look at their current account in detail.Application processIt is relatively simple, you have to answer basic questions about your personal details, tax ID and you have to provide a proof for your address, in which you can send a utility bill or your driving licence, meanwhile to prove your identity you have to record yourself so that they can match you to your document and to be sure you are applying on your own behalf.Once you submit everything, you enter in a waiting queue for your application to be reviewed and it could take from a few hours to some days. When you are granted the permit to own their card, the card will arrive at your house with the express courier in 1-2 days, which is by far one of the quickest card in the banking sector.Activation and usageUsing the card is relatively straightforward, you set up the account, to start with, and you’re actually allowed to use also not your full legal name from the card but a different name of your choosing.The activation of the card does not require any call, you just download their app from Google Play or App Store, you type in the long card number and when you typed it, the card is ready for usage.From their app, you can freeze and unfreeze the card, and this is the first banking account, by far, to allow this type of setting, most banks still don’t allow it today, several years after Monzo did it. It is an extremely useful feature and there’s a good reason if everyone is trying currently to do the same.Quite particular and funny is that you can personalise every account as you prefer, uploading photos that you like, you can upload personal photos or just random to specific pots, whether they’re saving pots or other kinds.Transactions with MonzoOne more plus where Monzo stands out is that, differently to most banks, you are allowed to see all the transactions as they are made rather than when they are fully clear. And the difference here is that Monzo is using your authorization data to show you transactions rather than the fully clear transactions data.The difference is that the moment you go to a shop and start spending, first authorization is run asking if they can process the payment from this card number and if you authorize it and the payment goes through, it still takes a day for the actual full clearance to happen.When you navigate into your transactions you can see the category, you can assign them to whatever you like, for example, expenses for the house, and you can set it as a recurring transaction, therefore Monzo will remember it for the next payments, and it is good for your self-accounting, you can also upload receipts if you want or split bills with other people.Surprisingly, when someone sends you a payment or just a gift in money, you can immediately tell who he or she is as their card details are shown, and in case you want to send their money back, you can do it instantly by refunding it.It is quite unique because in most cases if you wanted to send the money back, you would have to ask the owner to give you his or her details. Most banking services, in fact, do not tell you the account number, let alone other personal details like their name. This is generally a feature of prepaid cards, such as PayPal.Salary administration and the pots trick of MonzoWhen your salary comes in, or any other type of payment or income, you can automatically set it up to be subdivided into pots, therefore, if you have rent to pay, utility bills to pay that you have to pay every month, you can automatically assign some of your money to go in each pot of each expense target.There are two types of pots in Monzo, the savings’ pots and the regular account pots. The two are separate things and they work slightly differently.With your account pots, you can split your money into different categories, each one for a different expense target, so that you can use the money left for different needs not related to the categories. So if you want to assign every month just £100 for going out with friends, £800 for rent and £500 for other needs, you can do it. And each time the salary kicks in, these pots are filled first.There are two groups of savings pots they offer and they’re closely integrated into the current account but they’re not part of the current account, they are a different form of account you can bolt-on and even if there are quite a few similarities and it is provided by third-party companies like Investec. Monzo offers you:1- The easy access pot, immediately available, where you can get your money back whenever you want and it has a minimum of £10, so you have to carry at least £10 to start and during this year, with Investec, you can expect a return of 0.93% on your deposit, in a regular saving’s account or flexible ISA.2-The second pot is the Fixed Term, you have to deposit at least £500 and you have to leave it there at least for 12 months, the rate is considerably higher, between 0.90-1.32%, but it’s actually not that good compared with other financial products you can take advantage of elsewhere. And the fact you have to part away your cash for such a long time just for 1%, without any way to have it back, and having to put at least £500 in, isn’t really great at all. I would consider other options to save money.One thing to notice is that, when they say that the withdrawal of money is immediate from your flexible savings account it’s not that immediate, and if you read their Terms and Conditions, you notice that they say that they will charge you the money only at the end of the working day as long as you submit your request by 5.00 p.m. on the previous working day.The subdivision of potsThe pots you create category by category in order to pay your bills or other liabilities can be further divided. From a utility bill category, you can further subdivide it in a pot for the electricity bill, a pot for the water bill, a pot for the gas bill. So when the salary comes in, they get instantly filled and automatically process the payments, managing your account down to the detail.Borrowing from MonzoA current account is not necessarily a borrowing tool and Monzo offers you primarily a current account, but there are two ways you can borrow money from them:The first is the overdraft and it only opens up to you once you begin paying a salary in and showing your behaviour so that they can make some kind of assessment as to whether and they want to lend to your or not, and if they don’t have enough data you will just get the following message:’’ Not currently available’’.When they arrange an overdraft for you it is considerably expensive compared to other banking services, and it can go from 20 to 40% but reasonably lower than most street banks have recently been doing such as HSBC, placing everybody on a 39.99% rate.There’s then another layer of overdraft and the way the phrased it is:’’ If you already have an existing arranged overdraft you will be able to pay an unarranged overdraft at the same rate but if you do not have it you have to pay 39.99% APR.But actually it’s pretty hard to get into an arranged overdraft with Monzo, in fact they will block you online except for offline transactions. Therefore, if you are not directly linked to their bank account and you’re buying a plane ticket or paying for the petrol service at night time and they do not immediately process the exact amount, this can take you into an unranked overdraft.The other way you can borrow from Monzo is loans. Monzo loans have two price points below £7,500 it is 19.5% and for above £7,500 it is just 3.7%. It will cost you less interest to borrow £15,000 over a three-year period then it will borrow £3,000.Interesting features you can’t find elsewhereSplit bills with your friends!One really popular right now is the feature that allows you to split bills with friends and relatives and there are several ways of doing it. You can click on your friends that have Monzo from your contacts and split the bills that way there’s a separate feature that uses Bluetooth and tracks your friends that are nearby, for example when you’re together in a restaurant and you can split bills without having to do any calculations.Find other utility operators for gas and electricityIt is really sponsored in your app so as to push you to input all your personal details of your house or apartment, input how many bedrooms you have, the people living in it, the surface of the house, they will ask you how much you’re paying with your operator in utility bills and then it tries to sell you some more third party products in order to make more money, without any consideration as to whether you’re going to save or not, it’s just a revenue play and it makes it seem just a bit ‘’greedy’’.Monzo abroad on your holidaysThat’s how Monzo actually became popular among the youngsters who like to travel, in fact, you can use the card abroad for free, you can spend money for free on regular purchases, you can also withdraw cash for free, which is quite unusual, so you don’t get charged either the ATM fee or the foreign exchange fee up to £200.After £200 you have to pay a 3% fee and that is not per day but on a 30-day period, outside of Europe. Within Europe and the UK standard usage applies.Monzo in familyIf you’re 16-17 you can have a Monzo card or one parent of yours can get you one, the only feature disabled is the borrowing feature. There’s a special version of the account of the 16-17-year-olds, it is basically the same as the one that is available to the general public, but you can’t have an overdraft and you can’t borrow loans. But generally speaking, it’s quite the same thing.Some common issues with MonzoOne common issue Monzo users face is the ability to cash checks. It may seem old fashioned, but sometimes you may still receive one, from a relative, a buyer and above all the HMRC. The HMRC quite loves using checks if they took too much tax from you and a check is the only way to get your money back.If one of those arrives in the post, the only way you can cash it in with Monzo is to send it in an envelope to Monzo, the postage is free, but they say it will take up to three weeks to process it and to get your money in your current account.You can use some pin-point locations to deposit your cash in your account in the UK but there’s a limit, you can deposit only £1,000 and you will have to pay for it. If a relative of yours gave you £10 or £20 and you have to put it in your savings account, expect to pay at least £1.Is quite difficult to contact Monzo. You can choose between chatting with them or to call them. Both the chat feature and the calls are quite slow compared to other banking services and if you choose the chat, it can take as much as one day to receive an answer.You cannot send money abroad, you have to get a third-party provider to make it possible.What do their customers think about Monzo in 2021?The platform has an overall extremely high number of positive reviews on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.monzo.com that make it climb high at 4.5 out of 5 stars. Being them mostly positive, we will show you the most recent 5 positive 5-star reviews and the last worst review they received.5-star review: I love Monzo… I love Monzo, and this comes from someone that has been working in this domain for the last 4 years. I’ve completely switched from my other bank account to Monzo.5-star review: My favourite bank Simple, very easy to transfer, request and split bills with friends. The App is clean, aesthetically pleasing and always runs quickly. I like the round-up savings account, the budgets and saving pots!5-star review: Honestly can’t recommend this app… I can’t recommend this app highly enough! It’s so clear and easy to use, you can make as many ‘’pots’’ as you want and it’s really easy to manage all these accounts. Monzo makes it easy to separately pay rent, bills and other stuff.5-star review: Amazing Service and Staff - Best Bank ! I had a problem with a fraudulent transaction and they solved it in minutes! Natalie was awesome from the contact support. I really love their app. Amazing service! Best Bank ever!5-star review: Love it It was really refreshing to be able to set remotely and be able to verify my identity without booking an appointment that involved me having to go into a bank. There are so many advantages I wasn’t aware of before switching to Monzo, I wish I joined sooner!1-star review: Ignorant Support Staff When I first started using Monzo the customer support was excellent. Now it’s not the case as you’re bounced around between clueless support agents that do not even read what you’re telling them. I tried to report them a bug, and four agents later they just kept sending me generic responses and the issue has never been solved.ConclusionsAdvantages +++++Monzo is the future of banking, it is revolutionizing it to each update we see. Once you receive your salary or any other kind of payment, you can divide and further divide in categories all the expenses you expect to pay for during the month.The activation process is really easy and quick and also boys and girls between the age of 16-17 can use it with some limited features.Transactions with Monzo are clear and immediate, you can see who is delivering you money, their details so as to be able to refund them of the money they sent you without asking them for banking details.You can split the bills at the cinema, restaurant or for any other activity with your friends online just by going on their contact on your phone or by using Bluetooth.You can put your money in a savings account and make some money out of it, in a flexible pot, flexible ISA or short term period investment with Investec that yields up to 1.3%.Inside of the EU and UK, you can withdraw as much money as you want without expecting any fee even for the foreign currency exchange fee. If you are on holiday outside of the EU or UK you can expect to pay 3% on every other withdrawal you make over £200 over a 30-days span period.Disadvantages --It is fundamentally a bank account that does basic things really well but the exceptions you could face during your life could become from little obstacles to mountains difficult to climb.Although you are allowed to borrow money from Monzo, you are expected to pay extremely high fees up to £3,000 loan and extremely low if you want to borrow a loan over £15,000.Monzo’s third-party partners of Monzo are not well chosen. As we previously discussed in another article, choosing Investec is not a good option for your investments and you can expect an underperformance of your investments and at the same time losses or just a meaningless %. Therefore if you want to invest, invest outside of Monzo.Monzo doesn’t seem to care too much about if you’re saving your money as they’re offering you more and more opportunities to spend your money on, like finding ‘’better’’ utility operators for gas, electricity and so on.There are transaction fees if you want to deposit your cash on your account and they can be quite high for small deposits.You cannot cash checks, you have to send it by envelope to Monzo and it takes up to three weeks for you to get the money.

Once a specialty only associated with government agencies and defense contractors, cyber security has now entered the mainstream. Industries such as health care, finance, manufacturing and retail all hire cyber security professionals to protect valuable information from cyber breaches. The demand for specialists in the field is high. A report by job analytics firm Burning Glass Technologies found job postings for openings in cyber security have grown three times faster than those for IT job overall, and cyber security professionals are earning 9 percent more than their IT counterparts. Read more to learn how to get started in a cyber security career, from the types of degrees available to the various careers in the field.**WHAT DOES A CAREER IN CYBER SECURITY ENTAIL?**CYBER SECURITY DEGREES AND CAREERS AT-A-GLANCEFrom “ethical hackers” who probe and exploit security vulnerabilities in web-based applications and network systems to cryptographers who analyze and decrypt hidden information from cyber-terrorists, cyber security professionals work hard to ensure data stays out of the wrong hands. Cyber security professionals work in virtually every industry, responding rapidly to real-world threats. While there are cyber security associate degree programs, high-level careers require an array of technical IT skills and advanced analysis capabilities found in graduate-level degree programs.CYBER SECURITY DEGREES AND CAREERS IN-DEPTHA four-year cyber security degree program focuses on the array of methods used to protect data and information systems. Students receive training in technical and business skills such as database applications, systems administration and data recovery. Coursework combines criminal psychology, digital forensics and policy analysis to provide a complete perspective if IT security. There are hundreds of job titles in cyber security, but some of the top positions include:* Security Analyst* Security Engineer* Security Architect* Security Administrator* Security Software Developer* Cryptographer* Cryptanalyst* Security Consultant**HOW TO BECOME: PURSUING A CYBER SECURITY DEGREE & CAREER**1EARN A BACHELOR’S DEGREEWhile it’s possible to find certain entry-level cyber security positions with an associate’s degree, most jobs require a four-year bachelor’s degree in cyber security or a related field such as information technology or computer science. Coursework in programming and statistics combined with classes in ethics and computer forensics prepare students with the technical and analytical skills required for successful careers in cyber security.In an environment where data breaches are becoming the norm, more cyber security degree programs are being added every year. Before choosing a cyber security degree, prospective students should make sure that it is not only accredited, but also aligns with their career goals.2COMPLETE ADVANCED TRAININGSome employers will require candidates to hold an advanced degree such as a master’s degree in cyber security. Prospective employers may offer tuition assistance to meet this goal. A master’s degree takes an additional one to two years to complete after the bachelor’s degree-level and provides advanced instruction in protecting computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. Students learn the ethics, practices, policies and procedures of cyber security as they study how to tackle network security defense techniques and countermeasures. Cyber security professionals can also earn certification to boost their skills while working full-time to gain hands-on experience.3PASS SECURITY CLEARANCES (IF APPLICABLE)Security clearances are necessary for those who wish to work with classified information as part of a military of government agency. A variety of agencies issue both personnel and facility security clearances, but most are issued by the Department of Defense. Each type of clearance has its own procedures and paperwork. The process, which takes three months to a year, does not begin until an employer decides to hire you, at which point you receive a conditional offer of employment. The first step is to submit clearance documentation, followed by a Background Investigation.**FIND THE RIGHT CYBER SECURITY DEGREE PROGRAM**The field of cyber security focuses on network and data protection at various levels. Whether looking for an accredited online program or a traditional on-campus program, students have many options when it comes to cyber security degrees. For those unsure which degree level they want to pursue, the table below looks at the options.Career Goals & Educational NeedsAssociateBachelor’sMaster’sOnlineCertificateI’ve always wanted to work in cyber security but haven’t pursued a degree because of my busy personal and professional schedules. I need a program that allows me to take classes from home on my own flexible schedule. I would like to find an accredited online college that offers a program for students who want a cyber security career.While I think I would like to work as a computer support technician, I’m not sure if I should explore other options in cyber security. I want to enroll in a program that allows me to learn about all aspects of cyber security on a general level. Then I can decide whether to continue my education in a four-year degree program.I’ve followed the stories in the news about companies experiencing major data breaches. I want to work in the field and make a difference as a cyber security analyst.After working in cyber security for several years, I want to hone my skills and specialize in cryptography.I have a bachelor’s degree in cyber security and may eventually work on a master’s degree full-time. For now, I’d like to develop digital forensic skills by taking courses that I can apply to a master’s degree program later on.**CYBER SECURITY DEGREE LEVELS**While still a relatively new field, cyber security degrees are available at all levels, from associate degrees to PhD degrees. Students can pursue cyber security degrees online or in a campus-based environment. Each degree-level prepares students for specific opportunities, from entry-level employment to careers in academia. Before choosing a cyber security program, students should make sure it supports their goals. Find out more about each type of cyber security degree below.**Associate Degree in Cyber Security**An associate degree in cyber security is a two-year program appropriate for the following types of situations:* Securing entry-level work as a computer support technician or a related position* An additional qualification for those already working in the field* A step on a path to a four-year cyber security degreeAssociate degree coursework covers the vulnerabilities of various hardware and software systems, network technologies, and key cyber security concepts such as security administration and intrusion detection. Many programs also prepare students for certification exams often required for full-time employment, ranging from basic CompTIA Security+ to ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Here are several courses offered in a typical associate degree in cyber security program.**INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER FORENSICS AND CYBER CRIME**Basic foundation in the concepts, terminologies and terms used to communicate and understand the history of computer forensics and cybercrime.Skills Gained* Processing crime scenes* Digital evidence controls* Recovering image files* E-mail investigations* Network forensics**DATABASE SECURITY**Provides a framework in the importance of database security; students learn how to protect a company’s technology infrastructure and intellectual property.Skills Gained* Understand database security models* Advantages and disadvantages of access control models* Defending against common attacks* Knowledge of common integrity constraints**COMPTIA SECURITY+**Introduces the concepts and understanding of the field of computer security and how it relates to other areas of information technology.Skills Gained* Hardening systems* Securing networks* Cryptography**Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security**While there are plenty of bachelor’s degrees in cyber security, it is also possible to enter the field with a four-year degree in a related field such as computer science, computer engineering or even mathematics.The curriculum in bachelor’s degree in cyber security program is similar to that of a computer science degree. It begins with a foundation in programming, database applications and statistics. Then students have the opportunity to delve into more advanced topics such as artificial intelligence, cryptography and ethical hacking.Graduates are qualified for employment as cyber security analysts, information security analysts and computer forensic analysts. Below are some of the courses in a bachelor’s degree program.**FUNDAMENTALS OF NETWORKING**Overview of networking technologies for local area networks, wide area networks and wireless networks; students learn how to recognize the network design appropriate for a given scenario.Skills Gained* Open system interconnection model* Security protocols* Networking protocols**INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING WINDOWS SERVER**Preparation for the Installing and Configuring Windows Server exam, part of MCSE Server Infrastructure Certification; covers how to install, configure and troubleshoot Windows Server operating systems.Skills Gained* Configure server roles and features* Configure Hyper-V* Deploy and configure core network services* Install and administer Active Directory* Create and manage Group Policy**ETHICAL HACKING**Instruction in the development of the structured knowledge base needed to discover vulnerabilities and recommend solutions to protect data from potential hackers; focuses on penetration-testing tool and techniques.Skills Gained* Safe techniques on World Wide Web* Hands-on techniques to defend a computer against security attacks* Hands-on techniques to defend a LAN against security attacks**Master’s Degree in Cyber Security**Master’s degree programs in cyber security teach students how to be sophisticated practitioners in the industry as they protect vital computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. Coursework in these two-year programs investigates key technologies such as digital forensics, cryptography and biometrics. Graduates are prepared for careers as security-application programmers, penetration testers, vulnerability analysts and security architects. Some students choose employment developing security products.The following courses are often found in a master’s degree in cyber security program:**PENETRATION TESTING AND VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS**Introduces methodologies, techniques and tools to analyze and identify vulnerabilities in stand-alone and networked applications.**APPLIED CRYPTOGRAPHY**Examines Modern Cryptography from both a theoretical and applied perspective; emphasis is on provable security and application case studies.**DIGITAL FORENSICS**Instruction in the application of forensic science principles and practices for collecting, preserving, analyzing and presenting digital evidence; covers topics from legal, forensic, and information-technology domains.**Cyber Security Certificates**Many colleges and universities offer certificates in cyber security for those professionals who want to develop further expertise in the field or add credentials to their resume. Students examine principles of computer systems security, including attack protection and prevention. Courses explore cryptographic techniques, legal issues in computer security, digital forensics and designs for network perimeter defenses.Most certificates are 12-18 credits and available online. In some cases, students can apply credits earned in a certificate program to a master’s degree in cyber security later on. There are several types of cyber security certificates that cover cyber security technology, cyber security management and related areas.The following courses are often offered in a cyber security certificate program.**TECHNOLOGY AND NATIONAL SECURITY**Explores the impact of technology on national security and the lessons learned by the U.S. through multiple conflicts and wars; examines the advantages and risks of technological innovations on our military power.Skills Gained* Terrorism* National security policy* Intelligence gathering* Military platforms* Nuclear and biological weapon technologies**INTRODUCTION TO PENETRATION TESTING**Lab-based course providing students with an understanding of the threat vectors and exploitation techniques used to penetrate systems and networks.Skills Gained* Assessment* Exploitation* Remediation techniques**CYBER RISK MANAGEMENT FOR DECISION MAKERS**Explores the issues and concerns surrounding cyber risk management; students learn to identify high-level risks and map their impact across an organization.Skills Gained* Conducting assessments within multiple areas* Mitigation strategies* Standards, ethics, and legal issues**Look, Feel, & Smell your best** (http://D.Sc)**. Degree in Cyber Security**For those with a solid foundation in computer science, the Look, Feel, & Smell your best (Look, Feel, & Smell your best). in cyber security is an opportunity to combine their computer science emphasis with applied research in IT security. Students learn the latest techniques in specialized cyber operations activities such as reverse engineering, data collection, analysis of malicious code, and software exploitation. Graduates can bring their knowledge to intelligence, military and law enforcement organizations as well as employers in data-driven industries.The Look, Feel, & Smell your best (Look, Feel, & Smell your best). in cyber security program typically takes students 3-5 years to complete and includes a dissertation. Although there are online programs, students are usually required to complete annual on-site research seminars.Here are some of the seminars offered in a cyber security doctoral program.**FULL SCOPE SECURITY TESTING**Review of the tools, techniques, and sources of digital information and its role in attacking and defending software systems and network environments.Skills Gained* Penetration testing processes* Exploitation**ADVANCED MALWARE ANALYSIS**Covers advanced techniques used in malware analysis; focuses heavily on static analysis of unknown binaries utilizing reverse engineering tools and procedures.Skills Gained* Anti-debugging processes* x86 assembly language* IDA proCyber security concerns the technologies, methods, and practices employed to protect the virtual world – including computers, mobile devices, databases, networks and programs – from infiltration and attack by unauthorized individuals and organizations. The number and sophistication of cyberattacks is evolving, threatening national security and the global economy. Effective security requires highly trained professionals who have specialized knowledge to protect a wide variety of environments.This guide offers a comprehensive review of careers in cyber security, including an overview of the steps one can take to enter this profession, as well as job outlook and earning potential.**CAREER PATHS IN CYBER SECURITY**New cyber threats appear constantly, creating new and innovative career opportunities. And because any individual or organization is a potential target for cyberattacks – from governments to banks to hospitals – cyber security professionals can find employment in a wide range of industries. Some of the more common career paths in this field include:**Chief Information Security Officer**The chief information security officer (CISO) is typically a mid-executive level position whose job is to oversee the general operations of a company's or organization's IT security division. CISOs are directly responsible for planning, coordinating and directing all computer, network and data security needs of their employers. CISOs work directly with upper-level management to determine an organization's unique cyber security needs. They are commonly tasked with assembling an effective staff of security professionals, which means that the position requires an individual with a strong background in IT security architecture and strategy, as well as solid communication and personnel management skills.**Education requirements**CISO positions normally require, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in cyber or information security, information technology or other computer science-related subject. Additionally, most midsize and large organizations prefer CISOs with a master's degree in one of the above-described subjects or an MBA in a related subject such as information technology or database administration.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Computer and Information Systems Managers)**Forensic Computer Analyst**The forensic computer analyst is the detective of the cyber security world. Forensic computer analysts review computer-based information for evidence following a security breach or other incident. Tasks include handling hard drives and other storage devices and employing specialized software programs in order to identify vulnerabilities and recover data from damaged or destroyed devices. Forensic computer analysts must be sensitive to the security concerns of their employers or clients and follow closely all privacy procedures when dealing with financial and personal information. They must also keep detailed and accurate logs and records of their findings, which are often used in litigation.**Education requirements**Employment as a forensic computer analyst normally requires holding a bachelor's degree in computer security, forensic computing or a related subject. Previous experience may also be necessary.Source: Payscale.com (http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Forensic_Computer_Analyst/Salary)**Information Security Analyst**An information security analyst (ISA) is responsible for the protection of an organization's computer systems and networks. They plan and execute programs and other measures, including installing and using software for data encryption and firewalls. Additionally, ISAs help design and execute plans and methods for the recovery of data and systems following a cyberattack. ISAs must continuously stay on top of the latest industry trends and cyber threats, which involves researching new security technologies and networking with other professionals.**Education requirements**ISAs need to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science or related area. There is a growing trend toward undergraduate degree programs specializing in the information security field, which may become the preferred choice of employers in the future. Some employers, particularly large corporations or organizations, may prefer job candidates with an MBA in information systems.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm)**Penetration Tester**Penetration testing concerns the proactive authorized employment of testing techniques on IT infrastructures to identify system vulnerabilities. Simply put, penetration testers attempt to (with authorization) hack into computer and network systems to preemptively discover operating system vulnerabilities, service and application problems, improper configurations and more, before outside intruders have the opportunity to cause real damage. Penetration testers must be highly creative in their methods, often using testing tools of their own design, to "break into" the systems under scrutiny. Penetration testers are required to keep careful records of their activities and discovered vulnerabilities.**Education requirements**Penetration testers typically earn a bachelor's degree in information technology, cyber security or other closely related subject. Many employers additionally require applicants to have earned relevant professional certifications.Source: Payscale.com (http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Penetration_Tester/Salary)**Security Architect**A Security architect is responsible for establishing and maintaining network security for his or her organization. Security architects work in all sectors of the economy for companies, government agencies, and nonprofits. They may be employees of companies or independent contractors. In addition to working on specific security systems, security architects develop and implement organization security policies and procedures for employees and others with access to computer, network and data systems. Security architects are responsible for the hands-on repair of issues raised in problem reports as well as analysis of breaches following security incidents. They typically work in an office environment on a full-time basis.**Education requirements**A job as a security architect normally requires a bachelor's degree in information security, information technology or computer science. Some previous work experience is often required in addition to an undergraduate degree.Source: Payscale.com (http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Security_Architect,_IT/Salary)**IT Security Engineer**Security engineering provides a specialized engineering approach to cyber security, specifically regarding the design of security systems to counter potentially catastrophic issues. Security engineers are often involved in systems maintenance, performing security checks to identify potential vulnerabilities, as well as keeping logs and developing automation scripts to track security incidents. To succeed as a security engineer, individuals must have strong math and communication skills and a solid working knowledge of computer operating systems and languages.**Education requirements**A bachelor's degree in engineering (electrical engineering preferable) or computer science is required for employment as a security engineer. Many employers additionally require some level of previous experience and/or professional certification(s) in the field.Source: Payscale.com (http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Security_Engineer/Salary)**Security Systems Administrator**A security systems administrator's core responsibilities are quite similar to those of many other cyber security jobs: installing, administering, maintaining and troubleshooting computer, network and data security systems. The main distinction between security systems administrators and other cyber security professionals is that the security systems administrator is normally the person in charge of the daily operation of those security systems. Typical tasks include systems monitoring and running regular backups, and setting up, deleting and maintaining individual user accounts. Security systems administrators are additionally often involved in developing organizational security procedures.**Education requirements**Security systems administrators need to earn, at minimum, an associate degree in computer science or a closely related field. In most cases, however, employers will look for job candidates with a bachelor's degree, preferably in information security or systems administration. Work experience and professional certification may also be required.Source: Payscale.com (http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Systems_Administrator/Salary)**IT Security Consultant**IT security consultants meet with clients to advise them on how to best protect their organizations' cyber security objectives efficiently and cost effectively. They are often hired by smaller companies and agencies that cannot afford to handle their security issues in-house, but are also employed by larger businesses to supplement their security teams and provide an unbiased outside perspective to current systems issues. Working as an IT security consultant can require long, flexible hours and often involves a fair amount of traveling to client business locations.**Education requirements**Employment as an IT Security Consultant commonly requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, cyber security or other closely-related subject. In addition, many clients will require IT security consultants to have obtained one or more professional certifications.Source: Payscale.com (http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Security_Consultant,_IT/Salary)**CYBER SECURITY SALARIES**The explosion in the demand for skilled cyber security professionals combined with a scarcity in talent supply has resulted in high wages and excellent benefits for qualified applicants. Below is a brief look at the national median salaries (as of September 2015) available for some of the most in-demand cyber security careers:$143,334**Chief Information Security Officer**$124,624**Security Director (Computing, Networking, IT)**$113, 905**Security Architect**$89,209**Security Engineer**$81,980**IT Security Consultant**Source: Payscale.com (http://www.payscale.com/)**ESSENTIAL SKILLS, TOOLS, AND TECHNOLOGY FOR CYBER SECURITY CAREERS****SKILLS**There are a number of core skills needed by anyone entering the cyber security employment market, whether starting his or her first professional job or transitioning from another computer-related field. Here are a few of the key required skills:**Communication Skills**Cyber security professionals must have strong written and verbal communications skills. Jobs in the field require the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with clients and executives, network administrators, legal professionals and law enforcement, media and public relations staff, fellow team members, and others.**Ability to Work in a Team Environment**A required skill for practically anyone, the ability to work with others as an effective team member is particularly important for cyber security professionals. Team members must have a clear understanding of their delegated responsibilities and need to complete their work on time, while additionally being able to contribute positively to accomplishing larger team goals.**Integrity and Discretion**By its very nature, working in the cyber security field requires sensitivity to an organization's security vulnerability issues and be able to tackle those issues in a way that engenders trust.**Organizational and Problem Solving Skills**One important characteristic of the cyber security business is the sheer mass and complexity of data involved. Cyber security professionals must develop solid organizational and problem solving skills or risk being overwhelmed.**Programming Skills**A variety of scripts and programming tools are required to design effective security programs and analyze cyber attacks and breaches. Experience in system and network programming is a must.**Understanding of Security Principles**An understanding of basic security principles, such as privacy, confidentiality, authentication, access control, and others, results in a greater chance that systems will be less vulnerable to failures and attacks.**Risk Analysis**Cyber security personnel must be able to assess a client's particular security needs in light of its organizational goals, which requires knowledge of risk analysis principles.**Network Protocols**A working knowledge of common network protocols, their similarities and differences, how they work and what they are used for.**Malicious Codes**Additionally, cyber security professionals need a working knowledge of malicious codes, how they are propagated and the risks associated with each.**Intruder Techniques**In analyzing attacks, personnel should be able to recognize known intruder techniques, their characteristics and effects, and identify new intruder techniques by means of elimination of known ones.There are also a variety of certifications that can be earned by cyber security professionals. Choosing the most effective depends on an individual's specific interests/goals and job requirements. The list below outlines a small number of the most popular professional credentials among cyber security personnel:CompTIA Security + (http://certification.comptia.org/certifications/security)Covers essential principles for network security and risk management.Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (https://www.isc2.org/cissp/default.aspx)For competence in the design, implementation, engineering and management of information security programs.Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) (http://www.giac.org/certifications)Certifications available in several categories including Security Administration, Forensics, Audit, Management, Legal, Software Security and GSE.EC-Council Certifications (http://www.eccouncil.org/)EC-Council offers a number of security-related certifications including Certified Security Analyst, Licensed Penetration Tester, Certified Chief Information Security Officer, Certified Ethical Hacker, and others.ISACA Certifications (http://www.isaca.org/CERTIFICATION/Pages/default.aspx)Professional certifications available in IT Audit, Security, Governance and Risk.**TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY**The most effective tools employed by cyber security experts are software programs designed to protect against hackers, viruses, and the like. Here are some of the most pressing areas cyber security technology is focused on today:**Access Management**Third-party identity and access tools are used to provide additional protection for security gaps from Microsoft's Active Directory.**Botnet Protection**Defends against botnets that would otherwise require individual identification and deletion.**Cloud-Based Security**There are a variety of cloud-based SOS security tools available for network protection.**Data Encryption**Provides added security for data as its being transferred.**Data Leak Prevention**Ensures system information is secure from intruder access and stores information in a secure form in the event of a security breach.**Endpoint Protection**Endpoint protection addresses security issues for endpoints such as PCs, mobile devices, network connected printers, servers and others.**Intrusion Protection**Filters access to websites by blocking potentially harmful files.**Malware/Virus Security**Prevents attacks from viruses and malware designed to harm both software and hardware.**Next Generation Firewall**An advancement when compared to traditional firewalls. Provides additional capabilities like integrated intrusion protection, stateful inspection, and application and identity awareness.**Wireless Security**Provides WEP/WAP security for data transmitted over wireless connections.**CYBER SECURITY JOB GROWTH AND OUTLOOK**According to Cisco Systems, Inc., there is a distinct shortage of cyber security professionals, particularly those with data science skills. As a result of this scarcity, many computer science workers, particularly those currently in the IT field, are eyeing employment in cyber security.Indeed, as job growth goes, it's hard to find a profession that outpaces cyber security. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, job growth from 2012 to 2022 for Information Security Analysts is projected to be 37 percent compared with 18 percent for all computer occupations and 11 percent for all occupations.So why is job growth in cyber security expected to be so robust? Cyber crime continues to be a significant and growing problem, both in the United States and around the world. For example, a record 79 percent of respondents to a recent PricewaterhouseCooper's study (http://www.pwc.com/us/en/increasing-it-effectiveness/publications/assets/2015-us-cybercrime-survey.pdf) reported that they had detected a security incident within the past 12 months.**What Do Related Occupations Make?**As the demand for cyber security experts grows, as does the variety of cyber security job titles. Here are a few examples of closely related careers, along with estimated total annual pay:Source: Payscale.com (http://www.payscale.com/), September 2015**RELATED OCCUPATIONS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW**As far ranging as it is, cyber security is just one of countless career options within the larger computer science field. Determining the right option for anyone requires time and effort in researching what each has to offer. Below is a brief look at a few occupations related to those in the broader computer science field:COMPUTER AND INFORMATION RESEARCH SCIENTIST**15%**Salary$102,190**Education and Training:**Doctorate in computer science. Bachelor's may be sufficient for some government positions.COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER**15%**Salary$120,950**Education and Training:**Bachelor's in computer science or IT, or related field. MBA in some cases.COMPUTER HARDWARE ENGINEER**7%**Salary$100,920**Education and Training:**Bachelor's in Computer Engineering.COMPUTER NETWORK ARCHITECT**15%**Salary$91,000**Education and Training:**Bachelor's in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related field. MBA in information systems preferred by some employers.COMPUTER NETWORK SUPPORT SPECIALIST**7%**Salary$59,090**Education and Training:**High School Diploma or Associate's degree with some computer knowledge, in most cases. Some employers require Bachelor's degree.COMPUTER PROGRAMMER**8%**Salary$74,280**Education and Training:**Bachelor's in Computer Science in most cases, but Associate's degree may suffice.COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYST**25%**Salary$79,680**Education and Training:**Bachelor's in Computer Science or Information Science is common, but degree in business or liberal arts with experience may suffice.DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR**15%**Salary$77,080**Education and Training:**Bachelor's in IT or other computer-related subject.SOFTWARE DEVELOPER**22%**Salary$93,350**Education and Training:**Bachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related subject.WEB DEVELOPER**20%**Salary$62,500**Education and Training:**Associate's in Web Design or related subject. Some employers may prefer Bachelor's.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/home.htm)**CYBER SECURITY DEGREES & CAREER RESOURCES**National Initiative for Cyber security Careers and Programs (https://niccs.us-cert.gov/home/students)Information about cyber security or becoming a cyber security professional offered by the Department of Homeland Security.US-CERT United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (https://www.us-cert.gov/)Provides response, support, and defense against cyber attacks for the Federal Civil Executive Branch and responds to major incidents with trusted partners. Individuals can report incidents, phishing, malware or software vulnerabilities and share indicators through links on the site.Cybercrime (https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ccips)A clearinghouse of cyber crime information, this site includes legal and policy issues and instructions for reporting computer crimes.Security Bloggers Network (http://securitybloggersnetwork.com/)This site is the largest collection of information security-related blogs and podcasts in the world, including corporate security and individual security blogs.Information Systems Security Association (https://www.issa.org/)ISSA is an organization of information security professionals and practitioners that provides educational forums, publications, and networking opportunities.National Cyber security Student Association (http://www.cyberstudents.org/)As the largest association of cyber security students, NCSA provides members with access to the latest cyber security research and development, conferences and training events, and networking opportunities.For more detailshttps://www.learnhowtobecome.org/computer-careers/cyber-security/ (https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/computer-careers/cyber-security/)