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Director of information technology security education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a director of information technology security. Directors of information technology security usually study business, computer science, or computer information systems. 63% of directors of information technology security hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 624 real director of information technology security resumes to see exactly what director of information technology security education sections show.
The most common colleges for directors of information technology security are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online director of information technology security courses to help get the education required to be a director of information technology security.
There are certain director of information technology security certifications that you should consider. These director of information technology security certifications include Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).
What education do you need to become a director of information technology security?
What degree do you need to be a director of information technology security?
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Master's, 18%
- Associate, 13%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a director of information technology security?
- Business, 20%
- Computer Science, 14%
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for directors of information technology security
| Director of information technology security common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 13.95% |
| Western Washington University | 8.14% |
| Northeastern University | 8.14% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 5.81% |
| Arizona State University | 4.65% |
Best majors for directors of information technology security
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 19.7% |
| 2 | Computer Science | 14.1% |
| 3 | Computer Information Systems | 13.9% |
| 4 | Information Technology | 7.7% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering | 6.7% |
Best colleges for directors of information technology security
The best colleges for directors of information technology security are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
A director of information technology security with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for directors of information technology security. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become directors of information technology security.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
4. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
20 best online courses for directors of information technology security
Advertising disclosure
1. Ethical Hacker
Meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals by gaining the offensive security skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems...
2. Security Engineer
Gain the highly sought-after skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems from security threats or attacks...
3. Information Systems Auditing, Controls and Assurance
The course is awarded The Best Free Online Courses of All Time, and Best Online Courses of the Year (2021 Edition) by Class Central (http://www.classcentral.com). --- Information systems (IS) are important assets to business organizations and are ubiquitous in our daily lives. With the latest IS technologies emerging, such as Big Data, FinTech, Virtual Banks, there are more concerns from the public on how organizations maintain systems’ integrity, such as data privacy, information security, the...
4. Managing Network Security
Almost every organization uses computer networks to share their information and to support their business operations. When we allow network access to data it is exposed to threats from inside and outside of the organization. This course examines the threats associated with using internal and external networks and how to manage the protection of information when it’s accessible via networks. In this course, a learner will be able to: ● Describe the threats to data from information communication...
5. ISO/IEC 27005:2022. Information security risk management
Understand the framework proposed by ISO for managing information security risks in an organization...
6. ISO/IEC 27002:2022. Information security controls
Learn about the comprehensive set of information security controls proposed by ISO/IEC 27002:2022...
7. Intro to Cybersecurity
Get your start in the high growth field of Cybersecurity by building foundational skills in how to evaluate, maintain, and monitor the security of computer systems...
8. Security Analyst
Meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals by gaining the skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems...
9. Information Security Management Fundamentals for Non-Techies
Learn the Fundamentals of Information Security Management for Non-Techies...
10. ISACA CISM Certified Information Security Manager
One of the highest paid certifications! Become a Certified Information Security Manager!...
11. Security Architect
Meet the growing demand for security architects and learn the skills required to advance your cybersecurity career. You will master the skills necessary to become a successful security architect. Learn core strategies and implementation elements of security infrastructure design and management at an enterprise level...
12. Enterprise Security
Meet the growing demand for enterprise security engineers and learn the foundational skills of security engineering within an enterprise setting...
13. Information Technology Essentials
Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems...
14. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)...
15. Cybersecurity for Business Leaders
Learn to leverage the capabilities of cybersecurity best practices to protect your organization and unlock next-level results...
16. Zero Trust Security
Companies around the world are facing constant and evolving cyber attacks, so it’s imperative that they find talent with the dynamic skills to address these pressing issues...
17. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp
A Beginners Awareness Guide on Information Security & Cyber Security to Keep Online and Offline Devices Safe!...
18. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP
Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...
19. ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Information Security Management System
Learn how your company can protect its information with an ISMS that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001...
20. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...
Top 10 most affordable universities for directors of information technology security
The most affordable schools for directors of information technology security are Baruch College of the City University of New York, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for directors of information technology security are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for directors of information technology security.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
9. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for directors of information technology security
The hardest universities for directors of information technology security to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for directors of information technology security are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for directors of information technology security based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
9. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for directors of information technology security
The easiest schools for directors of information technology security to get into are Barry University, capitol technology university, and ottawa university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a director of information technology security without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for directors of information technology security.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
4. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
7. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
8. Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,026
9. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
10. Washington Adventist Hospital
Takoma Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
958
Average director of information technology security salary by education level
| Director of information technology security education level | Director of information technology security salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $142,429 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $128,940 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $108,930 |
Director of information technology security education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025