Royal Oak, MI – As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, Baker College is highlighting its cybersecurity programs during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, emphasizing hands-on learning, industry-relevant skills, and an affordable pathway into a growing career field. Baker was recently ranked No. 17 in CybersecurityGuide.org’s Most Affordable Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Programs for 2027.
Artificial intelligence is making phishing emails and text messages more convincing, while the growing use of online services continues to increase the need to protect personal information and business systems. Cybersecurity professionals help organizations identify vulnerabilities, defend networks, and respond to emerging threats across industries, including health care, finance, and technology.
“Cybersecurity affects everyone, not just large corporations,” said Ed Bissett, Program Director for Computer Science, Game Software Development, Information Systems, Information Technology & Cybersecurity at Baker College. “As more of our lives move online, the need for people who understand how to identify threats, protect information, and respond to attacks continues to grow.”
Baker’s cybersecurity curriculum prepares students to address these challenges through coursework in system hardening, ethical hacking, internet and web security, computer forensics, incident response and disaster recovery, and network defense and intrusion. Students can also prepare for CompTIA Security+ and Network+ certification exams, building skills relevant to cybersecurity roles.
For Jack Crawford, a senior concentrating in cybersecurity, the interest began with a fascination with the technical side of computers and grew through experience helping people deal with scams and hackers while working as a support agent.
“I decided that a future safeguarding others’ hard work and memories was the best way I could use my talents for the community,” Crawford said.
Students have additional opportunities to apply their knowledge through Baker’s Cyberdefense Club, whose teams have earned first place in the Michigan Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) seven times in the past 10 years. Baker College also earned national championship titles in 2008 and 2009.
For Crawford, the club has provided a community where students can develop their skills alongside others who share their interests.
“Baker’s Cyberdefense Club naturally called me home to a community of like-minded individuals, united in the pursuit of our craft,” Crawford said. “Shared adversity and skill-building build lifelong bonds, and clubs supplement online learning with real interpersonal connections and hands-on work.”
Baker’s cybersecurity program holds a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation, recognizing its alignment with established cybersecurity education standards. “For students, that’s a big deal because it means you’re getting a rigorous, up-to-date curriculum that aligns with real-world needs in national security and cyber defense,” Bissett said.
The College’s No. 17 ranking from CybersecurityGuide.org recognizes the affordability of its cybersecurity bachelor’s program among institutions designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. The ranking is based on overall program cost and publicly available data reviewed in August 2026. “Affordability is an important consideration for students preparing for their future,” said Bissett. “Earning a cybersecurity degree at a manageable cost can help students build in-demand skills and prepare for the workforce without taking on unnecessary debt, especially in today’s economy.”
Baker encourages students interested in technology and problem-solving to explore the field, even if they have not yet decided which specialty best fits their interests. “Don’t worry about picking a specialty yet as the field of Cybersecurity is wide. You have people who love policy and risk, others who live for hacking challenges, and some who just love organizing how data flows. You’ll start to see what clicks once you’re in the program,” Bissett said.
During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, individuals can also take steps to strengthen their online security by using strong, unique passwords, enabling multifactor authentication, and verifying unexpected messages before clicking links or sharing personal information.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on six campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more about the cybersecurity program, and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.
