Safety and security degrees are an emerging field of safety. The programs under this banner aim to build technical skills, analytical reasoning, and critical thinking to counter the threat posed by natural disasters, diseases, injuries, and threats from criminals and terrorist organizations.
Safety and security management degrees teach you how to reduce an organization’s vulnerabilities. It can mean developing systems to secure information and technology, check data breaches, ensure public transportation safety, and the like. Specializing in the field of security management enables you to draft an organization’s safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that all individuals must follow.
Educational programs equip you with the knowledge of the State safety legislation when constructing new buildings and laying the foundational structure of roads, railroads, other infrastructures, public transport systems, and road networks.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and PayScale predict an increase in the demand for safety and security degree holders in the coming years.
This blog will cover the benefits of studying for such degrees.
- Develop Security Management Skills
A safety program helps you develop several skills, including security management. It instills organization skills, assessment, investigation, and overall management capabilities. Programs in security management help you identify and assess any facility or public space and transit system’s security issues and teach you how to develop and implement protocols to secure them.
One such degree is an emergency management degree which teaches you about public transportation safety. It will train you in implementing safety solutions across multiple public transit systems.
Emergency, crisis, or risk management is one of the fundamental courses offered in a security management degree. It prepares students to deal with any public crisis and handle novel situations with backup plans and effective use of resources.
- Professional Opportunities
If you are already working in this field, obtaining a formal qualification can expand your professional portfolio or help you switch to a different field within the same profession.
Alternatively, you can increase your chances of getting a promotion. Experience alone can only take you so far. However, obtaining a professional qualification is necessary to reach the top of the organizational hierarchy. It also leaves a good impression on the management when they witness your continuous improvement and growth over the years.
You can also pursue a career in computer security, cybercrime investigation, customs, emergency management, drug enforcement administration, law enforcement, and correctional facilities.
- Leadership
Leadership is one of the essential qualities that safety and security studies can foster. You cannot attain that without sound leadership qualities. Whenever you implement safety protocols, you would have to take charge and the overall responsibility of the project.
Leadership is crucial in higher management roles while managing risky and novel situations. If a facility’s security system fails, you have to ensure the safety of the people first before taking technical initiatives. It also involves managing an entire team under stressful circumstances.
Leadership roles also require that you ensure the safety and security of people in your current workplace. You would have to safeguard your employee’s interests and expectations while operating in a managerial capacity.
- Implement Best Practices
Only a safety and security manager can implement the best security industry practices within an organization. Without the security department, there is no way of ensuring the implementation of security protocols.
A qualified safety professional can conduct a risk assessment, audits, and inspections regularly. Performing such activities minimizes the risk of accidents and data breaches.
For example, ensuring proper installation of fire alarms, accessibility of fire exits on every floor, and making sure the floor is not too slippery, or there are no stairways without a railing are highly crucial in assessing the place’s safety.
In addition, ensuring that the place has no harmful wreckage or dangerous items is the duty of a security manager. If the site does not comply with the security standards, it must implement relevant best practice protocols.
When it comes to cybersecurity, a cybercrime investigator investigates the root cause of the breach and implements the latest technical advances to remedy it. However, you would only be able to do that after acquiring the relevant knowledge during your cybersecurity program.
- A Launchpad for Your Career
An institution can provide support beyond academics. A professional qualification lets you jumpstart your career with the essential skills to prosper in the industry in which you want to build your career. If you plan to look for a job after you graduate, your institute may help you hunt for the best placements in the State. In addition, you can expect support in applying for the right roles, resume writing, interview giving, and professional networking opportunities.
- Earn Higher Salaries
Once you upgrade your qualification and your job role, you can expect higher pay. Cybersecurity professionals with a master’s or doctoral degree have the potential to earn up to $380,000 annually, while information security analysts can earn up to $103,590 a year. Even if you had not worked in security before acquiring a graduate degree, you could expect $80,000 annually for entry-level jobs.
- Easier to Manage Tuition Costs
Due to the rising demand for security roles, securing a job would not be challenging once you graduate. Therefore, you can quickly pay off any student debt that you may have.
On the other hand, some online programs do not cost a lot. Most of the programs offer flexible payment schedules on easy terms.
Conclusion
Pursuing a degree in safety and security comes with many benefits. During your program, you can develop security management, organizational, leadership, and investigative skills. You would be required to implement your skills in any job role that you pursue after graduation.
You can expect to earn more with a Master’s degree than with a Bachelor’s degree. It is easier to manage the tuition costs of online programs and colleges offering flexible payment schedules. In addition, it broadens your career horizons by opening up multiple career paths for you.
It is a growing field, and there is a need for professionals specializing in the safety and security of organizations to take on the role.
