If you want to choose a career with a great perspective and a very promising future, the two careers that you should consider are software engineering and cyber security.
These two IT careers offer multiple paths and ensure a very secure job position. If you are interested in learning more about cyber security vs. software engineering, stay with us!
Education Path for Software Engineering and Cyber Security
You can follow different education paths for software engineering and cyber security. Many people choose self-directed learning or various courses to enter the field. However, the most typical education path many people follow is obtaining a bachelor’s of science and then a master’s of science in the respective field.
B.Sc. & M.Sc. in software engineering
Most cyber security job positions require a bachelor’s of science in the field. Bachelor’s degree programs in cyber security are typically focused on a core technical curriculum that includes computer science, networking, cryptography, and hacking components. A regular campus-based cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program takes 120 credits or four years of full-time study.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, information technology, or another related area, many bachelor’s degree graduates choose to pursue a master’s degree. The majority of master’s degrees in software engineering take two years to complete for full-time students. Software Engineers with a Master’s degree make a median yearly salary of $102,317.
B.Sc. & M.Sc. in cyber security
Most cyber security job positions require a bachelor’s of science in the field. Bachelor’s degree programs in cyber security are typically focused on a core technical curriculum that includes components of computer science, networking, cryptography, and hacking. A regular campus-based cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program takes 120 credits or about four years of full-time study.
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Despite the four-year bachelor’s degree, many individuals decide to pursue a master of science. Cyber security graduate programs typically require two years of full-time study. The program focuses on advanced topics such as cryptology, ethical hacking, and digital forensics.
Roles & Responsibilities
Once you get a degree in software engineering or cyber security, some of the highest-paying careers won’t be far from your reach. These new roles come with many responsibilities that the degree you’ve earned previously has prepared you for.
What does a software engineer do?
Software engineers are in charge of designing, maintaining, developing, evaluating, and testing new software. They need to understand information systems, information technology, programming languages, and the mathematics and algorithms required to produce useable software.
In addition, these computer scientists have to build software to run computer networks or devices in some instances. In other cases, software engineers need to design the apps that operate on these platforms.
What does a cyber security engineer do?
Cyber security engineers, also known as cybersecurity analysts, are in charge of developing and implementing strategies and security procedures to safeguard computer networks and mobile devices from malware, hacking, and other breaches. They are in charge of developing software and updating computer hardware to implement these ideas.
In addition, cyber security engineers must keep an eye on the network for security flaws and symptoms of any possible attacks. They’re also responsible for developing an incident response strategy that would allow them to respond quickly to any attacks and limit the harm it does.
Career Path & Salary Outlook
There is no significant difference between the two regarding cyber security vs. software engineering job outlook. Cyber Security Engineers in the USA earn a median salary of $96,233 per year or $46 per hour. The highest-paid 10 percent make over $134,000 per year, while the lowest-paid 10 percent is under $68,000 per year.
On the other hand, Software Engineers in the USA earn a median salary of $95,642 per year or $46 per hour. The highest-paid 10 percent make over $129,000 per year, while the lowest-paid 10 percent is under $70,000 per year.
Software engineering jobs & salaries
- Chief technology officer – $154,000 yearly
Chief technology officers are executives in charge of a company’s technological development. They are in charge of overseeing the installation of new technology. They make critical technical choices and choose how to leverage technology investments and capital to support the company’s revenue and growth objectives.
- Senior Software Engineer – $112,000 yearly
Senior software developers develop software solutions after examining the informational needs. The majority of their time is spent investigating potential problems. They also rely on user feedback and research on how the system moves, consumes data, and processes.
- Information technology manager – $106,000 yearly
An information technology manager is responsible for monitoring a corporation’s network and information systems activities. An information technology manager assesses the department’s performance, ensuring that networks and systems are of the best quality and efficiency and changing system changes as needed.
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- System analyst – $78,372 yearly
System analysts examine an organization’s present computer systems and procedures and create information systems solutions to help the organization run more efficiently. They connect business and information technology (IT) by recognizing the requirements and constraints of both.
Cyber security jobs & salaries
- Senior Security Engineer – $114,000 yearly
Senior security engineers specialize in creating computer systems that can withstand natural disasters or hostile cyber-attacks. They examine computer networks, ensuring that they are secure and anticipating any security vulnerabilities in the future.
- Information Security Analyst – $97,000 yearly
Information security analysts develop security solutions to ensure that data kept on a company’s network is safe from cyber threats. They assist with creating safety regulations and ensuring that safety requirements are met.
- Securities Consultant – $91,000 yearly
A securities consultant is in charge of keeping the firm’s facilities safe and secure and enforcing protection for all personnel and company assets. In addition, securities consultants also manage the security and stability of data network systems to prevent potential leaks and unauthorized access to information.
- Security Architect – $114,000 yearly
Security architects anticipate and avoid potential risks by creating, implementing, and overseeing computer and network security technologies within an organization’s IT network. They discover weak points and respond quickly to any security breaches.
Software Engineering vs. Cyber Security: Which One to Choose?
Both software engineering and cyber security have a very bright future ahead! Software engineering is expected to grow by 21% and produce 284,100 job opportunities across the US during this decade. On the other hand, cyber security is expected to grow by 32% and create 35,500 job opportunities across the US during this decade. Therefore, you can choose whichever you want since they both have a very high exponential rate and offer excellent salaries.
Final Thoughts
Software engineering and cyber security are two promising IT careers that will offer you many possibilities for career advancement. Despite being very similar in many areas, they still have some slight differences. Before deciding which one to choose, you should carefully consider these differences and determine what degree best fulfills your needs and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Which is better, cyber security or software engineering?
It depends on your interests and career goals. Both fields offer promising career opportunities and require specific skill sets.
Who gets paid more cyber security or software engineering?
Both cyber security and software engineering fields are in high demand and offer competitive salaries. However, the exact salary for each profession can vary depending on various factors such as location, experience, and industry.
Is cybersecurity more difficult than programming?
Cybersecurity and programming require different skills but neither is necessarily harder than the other. Cybersecurity involves protecting data and systems from cyber-attacks, while programming involves developing software.
Which field has a better future, cyber security or software engineering?
Software engineering and cybersecurity are both promising career fields. Your choice depends on your interests and skills. If you enjoy problem-solving, programming, and designing software systems, software engineering may be the ideal path.
