Hello all, Im going to sound like a complete idiot here, and thats because, well, I dont know much about computer related fields of study. I do a lot of Industrial Automations Control, and its a cool gig, especially since I work for Cirque du Soleil, but now I have an option to go back to school and finish a degree. I am interested in learning more about networks, more specifically, making sure networks and information are kept safe from outside intrusion, and a couple of people so far have told me that if I was interested in network security I should look into a CS degree or a Computer Information Systems (CIS) degree. The CIS is really the only option for me due to my work sched, (will be attending DeVry) but so far the information that I have found on this degree is very limited, and I was wondering if someone here could tell me a lil bit about what it is and what job options I would have once I complet this degree. The degree plan itself is Computer Information Systems with an emphasis in Information Systems Security. I hope I made some sense. Thanx everyone for reading this long post.
i'd opt for network security also in your case.
Information Systems is from my point of view not so security related and is mostly based on planining/designing/implementing/... an informational system which is basically a system designed to provide access to any sort of information.
Not that it does not need security it's just that you'd be more involved in how to manage information in that system and no so much how to get it in a secure way.
Just my 2 cents :)
I would look into the classes that are offered for the degree. Often times, colleges list CIS programs as generic terms, but the underlying classes were not quite what the degree infers. For instance, a Herzing CIS program is made up of mostly programming classes (C#, C++, VB, Java, along with SQL). There also ended up being network architecture classes along with security classes. So while the degree said CIS, it ended up being more programming specific. I would have expected more management classes, but there only ended up being one or two, if I remember correctly. Just investigate the classes and don't go by the degree name alone.