"Computer science is sexy. We no longer hold true to the older stereotype of an out of shape, Mountain Dew drinking, pizza eating nerd like you see portrayed in the popular media," Morrill says. "Today's computer science graduate is just like everyone else who follows their passion and wants to help protect people from cyber criminals. Our modern day leaders like Kees Lune, Clement Dupuis and Nathan Lambert are all smart, savvy people who live real lives and are changing the face of information security as we know it."

Globally, Worstell says importance of cyber security became apparent after violent protests over Iran's presidential leadership broke out and sparked a flood of social networking that was eventually policed by the ruling Iranian government. The political group limited the free flow of information over social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Keeping information flowing freely on the Internet and preventing cyber warfare will only become more complicated as time goes on, Worstell says.

Barbara Endicott-Popovsky, director of the Center of Information Assurance and Cybersecurity at the University of Washington, agrees with Worstell's concerns. She says targeted acts by the government could lead to other problems, such as hackers or other organized forces, which may use the Internet to intentionally harm people.