Cybersecurity threats are growing quickly, and so is the demand for professionals who can stop them. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is spotlighting career pathways that prepare learners to meet this challenge head-on.
From voice phishing to AI-powered deception, today’s threat landscape is evolving rapidly. Global estimates point to 4.8 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs, including more than half a million in the U.S. alone. That shortfall represents both a crisis and a career opportunity.
UMGC’s cybersecurity programs are designed for working adults, career changers, and military-affiliated learners. With flexible, stackable credentials, from certificates to master’s degrees, students can enter the field at multiple points and build toward leadership roles.
“Our goal is to equip students not just with theoretical knowledge, but with the hands-on experience employers are actively seeking,” said Chad Whistle, UMGC’s assistant dean of Portfolio Lifecycle and Student Success in UMGC’s School of Cybersecurity and Information Technology. “We’ve built our programs to reflect real-world challenges using AI-enhanced learning platforms and virtual labs that simulate the environments professionals work in every day.”
UMGC is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence by the National Security Agency, and the university’s cyber competition teams are nationally recognized and ranked. Students graduate with industry-relevant skills and credentials that translate directly to workforce readiness.
But the impact goes beyond individual success. “Choosing cybersecurity means choosing to be part of something bigger,” Whistle explained. “It’s about protecting the digital infrastructure that millions rely on daily. It’s a career that transforms your success into a vital public service.”
Ready to take the next step?
Join Chad Whistle for an exclusive webinar on how UMGC’s cybersecurity programs can launch or elevate your career. Learn more and register here.