Program at a glance
How much does it cost?
Learn more about how to afford a degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.
How long does it take?
This minor is designed to be completed with any major in four years.
What will I learn with a cybersecurity minor?
Cybersecurity threats exist at a wide range of levels. On one end are relatively unsophisticated threats, such as accidental leaks of information via email or a lost USB drive. More sophisticated attacks such as covert data interception by wireless radios, distributed denial of service server attacks, covert channel attacks and evolving malware exist on the opposite side of the continuum.
The need and significance of cyber defense education and research from the early undergraduate stage cannot be overlooked. To meet the increasing demand for cybersecurity experts with operational knowledge in next-generation smart systems, this cybersecurity minor is designed to prepare undergraduate students to mitigate vulnerabilities in the national digital infrastructure with in-depth, hands-on technical expertise in cyber defense.
The University offers two cybersecurity minors:
- Interdisciplinary cybersecurity minor: The interdisciplinary minor in cybersecurity provides a well-rounded look at cybersecurity from a range of disciplinary perspectives.
- Cybersecurity minor: The minor in cybersecurity consists of six computer science courses that provide hands-on in-depth technical expertise in cyber defense.
The Cybersecurity Center brings together expertise from a range of disciplines including political science, information systems, journalism, criminal justice, philosophy, psychology, history, and computer science and engineering.
On the strength of its cybersecurity program, the University has been named a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. This prestigious designation is given to institutions of higher education that provide exceptional theoretical and hands-on experience in cybersecurity.
Take the next step
Careers in cybersecurity
Median salaries of $102,600
Recent studies have shown that the average frequency of cyber attacks is as high as one in every three seconds. The nation has a significant shortage of cybersecurity professionals who can understand and effectively combat these growing threats. As a result, education and training in cybersecurity has become a national priority.
Cybersecurity has also been identified as a key area for economic development in Nevada. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, projects an estimated 33 percent increase in information security or cybersecurity jobs in the decade from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than average growth. In Nevada, many of these jobs should be in sectors such as banking, health care, data centers and online gaming.
In 2021, information security analysts had a median annual wage of $102,600, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nevada graduates with cybersecurity training can be positioned for well-compensated careers in established and emerging economic sectors in Nevada.
About the College of Engineering
Our students and faculty collaborate on new research to make a world of difference.
Other College of Engineering Videos
You can afford the University of Nevada, Reno
76% of students receive financial aid
Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid. We offer need-based and merit-based forms of financial aid to help you afford college.
54% of all students graduate with no debt
That's right. More than half of our students leave the University of Nevada, Reno with no student debt.
Related programs
Life's a journey. Honors makes it meaningful.
At the University of Nevada, Reno Honors College, our students maximize their unique gifts and passions through a series of personalized experiences that deepen their capacity for transformative societal impact.
Visit the Honors College