Erin Nolan
Admissions Recruiter
Cybersecurity vs. Cybercrime: What's the Difference and Which Path is Right for You?
Cybersecurity: Protecting Networks and Preventing Attacks.
Cybersecurity is all about defense.
Cybercriminals can work alone or as part of an organized group to steal money and data, and control computer systems, often compromising public safety and security. To help protect against cybercrime threats, individuals and organizations must implement the proper cybersecurity measures to ensure their devices aren’t easily compromised.
Professionals in this field safeguard information, networks, and devices from unauthorized access or attacks. They focus on strategies to prevent potential threats before they happen, using methods like:
- Firewalls
- Multi-factor authentication
- Strong password protocols
- Antivirus and anti-malware software
- Educating employees about cybersecurity risks and testing systems
Careers in cybersecurity often require a background in computer science or information assurance and include roles like:
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Security Architect
- Vulnerability Analyst
Their ultimate goal? To create a robust defense system that helps keep organizations safe from hackers and cyberattacks.
Cybercrime: Investigating and Prosecuting Digital Offenses
Cybercrime, on the other hand, is all about investigation and justice.
The professionals in this field analyze illegal activities that exploit digital technologies, such as identity theft and ransomware attacks, and build cases with evidence for court. Cyber criminologists can apply their digital behavior and forensic analysis expertise to help corporate teams manage risks and support ethical standards. They can help sales leaders trace fraudulent transactions, fake customer accounts, or trace fraud in online orders. They can help corporations ensure compliance with federal regulations and trace activities that might jeopardize a company or its assets.
People with cybercrime degrees work to uncover, analyze, and bring criminals to justice for offenses like:
- Identity theft
- Phishing schemes
- Ransomware attacks
- Cyberextortion
Gaining Cybercrime Expertise
USF’s Department of Criminology offers an MS in Cybercrime, designed for those passionate about combatting digital crimes. Unlike cybersecurity programs, which are typically more technically focused, USF’s cybercrime curriculum teaches students how to:
- Investigate and provide digital evidence that can be used in court
- Understand criminal motives and patterns
- Apply forensic methods to track criminal activity online
The program offers two concentrations: Cyber Criminology and Digital Forensic Investigations. Both are designed to equip graduates with targeted skills that address different aspects of fighting cybercrime.
Cyber Criminology Concentration
This concentration focuses on understanding the social and psychological aspects of cybercrime. Students in this track learn to examine how cybercriminals operate, exploring the motives, behavioral patterns, and societal factors that drive online crime.
This concentration is valuable for those looking to work in roles where they need to understand criminal psychology and anticipate potential threats. They learn how to use behavioral insights to help organizations recognize patterns in criminal behavior and prepare for cyber threats. People with this specialty often design policies that address employee and organizational vulnerabilities to reduce the likelihood of cyber threats.
Digital Forensic Investigations Concentration
This concentration involves collecting and analyzing digital evidence to support investigations and legal proceedings. Digital forensic investigators deal with technical evidence and incident resolution. Students in this concentration learn how to examine electronic devices, recover deleted data, trace cyber-attacks, and build evidence that stands up in court.
In cases of data theft, fraud, or internal misconduct, digital forensics specialists collect and preserve evidence needed for legal actions. Their work ensures that digital evidence is credible and admissible in court. Digital forensic experts help HR and compliance teams monitor and investigate suspicious employee activities, such as unauthorized data access or theft.
Some people choose one concentration, while others pursue both. These concentrations prepare graduates to understand the underlying factors driving cybercrime and handle the technical, investigative tasks required to prosecute and prevent it. Graduates with both concentrations become sought-after leaders.
Learn from Experts Who Have Practiced What They Teach
Faculty in the MS in Cybercrime program bring real-world experience directly into the classroom, offering students invaluable insights from their own professional careers. Students learn from experts who have worked in digital forensics, law enforcement, and cyber investigations at organizations such as the FBI, Secret Service, the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security.
They have the academic credentials required to be part of the faculty at one of America’s top 50 public research universities. Their field experiences ensure that lessons go beyond theory, preparing graduates with practical skills, proven methodologies, and an understanding of current industry challenges.
A Strong Career Outlook
USF’s MS in Cybercrime is a great choice for those with a strong interest in criminal justice who want to understand cybercrime’s social and behavioral aspects, learn investigative methodologies and tools, and develop forensic science skills.
Graduates are prepared for jobs such as:
- Cybercrime Investigator
- Financial Fraud Investigator
- Digital Forensics Analyst
- Data Recovery Specialist
- Malware Analyst
With demand in the cyber criminology field projected to grow by 13% from 2020 to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, USF equips graduates with the expertise needed to thrive in high-impact roles across law enforcement, national security agencies, and private firms like JPMorgan Chase, Citi, and Department of Defense contractors. Many household-name brands such as Target, Microsoft, the NFL and Home Depot have their own in-house cybercrime teams. As potential for threats expand, so does the need for the professionals who help bring justice to these crimes.