The Top Information Assurance MBA Online Programs

In an increasingly digitalized and networked business environment, the protection of information is essential to any organization’s success. The compromise of a company’s information is often tied to both financial losses as well as a loss of confidence in the organization. These are just a few reasons why an accredited online Master of Business Administration in information assurance degree is so valuable today. In addition to providing the knowledge gained in traditional accredited online MBA programs, online MBA information assurance programs provide a focus on information security that is essential in today’s workplace.

Graduates of the best online information assurance MBA schools, as determined by online information assurance MBA rankings, are prepared for careers in systems and network security in the corporate world or in national defense. During their information assurance MBA online programs, they learn the foundations of business, such as accounting, finance, and marketing, along with specialty courses such as information security and computer forensics.

How can I tell if an online MBA information assurance degree is right for me?

Students with a strong interest in business as well as information technology and cybersecurity should consider applying for an online Master of Business Administration in information assurance degree program.

Additional common traits amongst many online MBA information assurance students include:

• A capacity for interacting with computers
• An ability for thinking creatively
• A skill for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
• An aptitude for updating and using relevant knowledge
• A flair for getting information

How long does it take to earn an MBA online information assurance degree?

Earning an information assurance MBA degree online is comparable to earning any other similar degree. To earn this degree it normally takes 2 years of full-time schooling. However, students are able to complete the MBA under a timeframe that suits their schedule at some colleges that offer part-time or accelerated programs.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA information assurance schools online?

An undergraduate degree is normally required before students can enroll in online MBA information assurance programs. Some schools that have an MBA information assurance online program have a preference for applicants who have degrees in related fields including cyber security, information security, business administration, and network security.

In addition to requiring students to have a bachelor’s degree, many online MBA in information assurance programs base admission on the following criteria:

• Essays
• References or Letters of Recommendation
• Work experience
• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)

What courses will I take in information assurance MBA programs online?

Students enrolled in a top information assurance MBA online program take courses on a variety of business and information technology subjects. Generally, the first half of an MBA online information assurance program consists of core business courses such as accounting, finance, management, human resources and managerial economics. These classes give students a solid understanding of business concepts and prepare them to learn how information security fits into a business model.

In the second part of a typical online MBA in information assurance program, the curriculum is geared toward the information assurance specialization. Students encounter topics such as computer network management, intellectual property, cyber piracy, digital forensics and systems analysis and design. The courses taught in this part of the MBA information assurance online degree program have a strong information technology component, and by the end students should be familiar with standard public and private computer networks and databases, the threats facing them and how to detect them.

Some students enrolled in online information assurance MBA programs complete an internship during the course of their education. Internships are valuable. Through them, students not only make important business contacts, but they also get an opportunity to apply what they are learning in their classes.

What are the best online MBA in information assurance books I should consider reading?

Some books students wanting to pursue information assurance MBA careers may find insightful are:

1. Cyber Warfare: Techniques, Tactics and Tools for Security Practitioners (Jason Andress and Steve Winterfeld) – A must-read for any information assurance professional or student, this book addresses a variety of cyber criminal tactics that threaten businesses and institutions and how to protect against them.

2. The Executive Guide to Information Security: Threats, Challenges, and Solutions (Mark Egan and Tim Mather) – Focused primarily on the business world, this text offers a perfect introduction to the value of information assurance within companies of all sizes.

3. America the Vulnerable: Inside the New Threat Matrix of Digital Espionage, Crime, and Warfare (Joel Brenner) – Written by a former NSA agent, this book exposes the very real danger that American government institutions face from potential cyber criminals.

4. Cyber War: The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do About It (Richard A. Clarke and Robert Knake) – This book shows how national defense networks can be penetrated by cyber terrorists and how these threats can be reduced or prevented.

5. The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing: Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing Made Easy (Patrick Engebretson) – This practical book shows information security professionals and students how to ethically test information security systems in a variety of settings.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue information assurance MBA jobs?

Given the increasing use of computer networks in business and government institutions, as well as the ever-greater security threats facing them, graduates of information assurance MBA schools online can be confident in finding jobs upon graduation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be 367,900 information security analysts in 2020. While the average information assurance MBA salary can vary based on type of employment and location, below are some sample positions and salaries:

• Information Security Analyst – $75,660
• Intelligence Analyst – $67,962
• Computer Security Specialist – $81,009
• FBI Agent – $67,759

Information security analyst jobs are projected to grow at a rate of 22%, which is higher than the national average. This may be largely due to the fact that as the amount and frequency of cyber attacks have increased, businesses and government institutions are increasingly recognizing the importance of information security.

Many employers want graduates who have studied from a program that has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accredited information assurance MBA programs are believed to provide students with a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online Information Assurance MBA degree?

• Saint Leo University Online
• Jones International University
• Brandman University