Accredited. Respected.

Capella University has been designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense (CAE IA/CD) for academic years 2014-2021.

Earn-as-you-go certificate and badge options

In addition to offering a Network Defense Graduate Certificate as you progress, Capella has partnered with digital badging leader Acclaim to provide NSA Focus Area badges. These digital badges validate the information security knowledge gained and allow you to share this with potential employers, peers, and others by posting the digital badges on LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social media networks. Students can receive NSA Focus Area badges in the following areas:

• Network Security Administration
• Network Security Engineering
• System Security Engineering

Hands-On Learning Through Virtual Lab Environment

Students in this specialization will explore penetration testing techniques in our virtual lab environment using leading industry tools, including BackTrack and Metasploit. In addition, students will learn to manage real-time responses to security breaches using Nessus® to perform vulnerability assessments, including system sanitizing and hardening.

Access to Cutting-Edge Content at No Additional Cost

As a benefit of Capella’s partnership with Pluralsight, a global leader in online learning for IT specialists, students in select IT courses receive full business account access to Pluralsight’s library of more than 5,000 courses—a $499 value—that also includes access to Code School for interactive learning and lab practice.

Degree Outcomes

With your master’s in Network Defense, you’ll prepare to lead or consult in the practice of investigating incidents involving information technology assets and data in a variety of professional settings. 

Career Outcomes

Common jobs with an online master’s in Network Defense include network security analyst, internet security analyst, exploitation analyst, network intelligence analyst, information security analyst, security management specialist, computer systems analyst, network and computer systems administrator, auditor, security manager, intelligence analyst, cyber security engineer, consultant (cyber security), chief security officer, or chief information security officer.