Cybercrime is an enormous global issue that is only getting bigger. Cybercrime is the biggest threat to modern-day businesses, so it is no surprise that cybersecurity is an industry fast on the rise with many people looking to start a career here. Cybersecurity is an incredibly important industry and can help to protect both businesses and individuals, but it will also be a competitive field to work in moving forward, and there are a few things that people will need to know about this type of work. Read on to find out all that you need to know about a career in cybersecurity.
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It Is Growing Rapidly
As mentioned, cybersecurity is fast on the rise as it is becoming so important with cybercrime being such a huge, global issue affecting everyone. In fact, there is set to be 350% growth in cybersecurity positions by 2021, and this is only set to continue in the coming years. This means that cybersecurity is a good career path to follow as there will be high demand, but of course, it will also be competitive with so many people eyeing a career in this industry.
There Are Lots Of Options
Cybersecurity is a very broad term in today’s day and age, so there are lots of different options when it comes to a job here. You can work in a wide range of sectors so you can work in areas that you feel passionate about, plus there are lots of different roles to specialise in. A few of the more common cybersecurity roles include:
- Application security administrator
- Blockchain developer
- Cryptographer
- Ethical hacker
- Digital forensic analyst
- Data security analyst
It Can Be Well-Paid
As such an important industry and one on the rise, there is also good earning potential when it comes to cybersecurity. It will depend on the role and the location, but salaries can range from around $65,000 to $130,000 annually with cybersecurity professionals earning as much as 9% more than other IT workers so it is certainly a good field to enter for IT professionals.
It Requires Much More Than Technical Skill & Knowledge
Obviously, cybersecurity is a highly technical field, so you will need to develop the skills and knowledge required to excel, but you will need much more than this. One of the most overlooked aspects of cybersecurity is communication skills. This is so that you can work as part of a team effectively, but also so that you can easily communicate with your clients and build trust – this is crucial in this field. On top of this, you also need to be able to work in a fast-paced, pressure-filled environment and be able to manage your time effectively, so it can be a challenging field to work in.
Qualifications Are Key
If you want to get your foot in the door, then qualifications are essential. You can take a masters in cyber security online, which will give you a qualification that will help your application to stand out and teach you all that you need to know to excel in this field – many openings require advanced degrees and certifications, so this is a good degree to have in order to find work. Additionally, the fact that you can take the course entirely online makes it much easier to complete and can fit into your schedule.
You Will Need Some Experience
Following this point, you may also find it difficult to land work in cybersecurity without some kind of relevant experience. Working in an IT team, completing an internship, or even volunteering can all be good ways to gain some experience and show that you are capable of working in this kind of environment. 36% of current practitioners stated that a lack of skilled and experienced personnel was a key concern when it comes to cybersecurity. Therefore, gaining any kind of relevant experience will help you to stand out from the crowd and appeal to employers. Many cybersecurity professionals build an online portfolio of their work, which is a good chance to show off any experience that you have in the field.
It Is Demanding
Due to the nature of the work, cybersecurity is an incredibly demanding role, and you need to be prepared for this. No two days are ever the same; often, you will be dealing with high-stake situations and sensitive data, so you need to have a strong work ethic and be able to handle these difficult situations. Not only this, but cybersecurity professionals are often on call, so some weekends and evenings you will need to be prepared to drop everything and engage with work, which many people struggle with.
You Need To Stay Current
While a good degree is essential, it is also important that you are able to stay current. New threats are always being developed, so cybersecurity is always evolving and developing in order to keep pace – this can make it a difficult field to work in as there is always more to learn, and failure to stay current will see you fall behind. Start listening to podcasts and following individuals and other companies on social media to keep up to date. You could read blogs or attend industry events as well.
Networking Is Important
As with most industries, networking is important when it comes to cybersecurity, and this is something that you will have to get used to. Having a large professional network is helpful because it can open new doors and improve your professional reputation, so it is worth the effort – this should include networking both online and in-person at industry events.
These are a few of the main things that you need to be aware of if you are looking to start a career in cybersecurity. There are certainly many perks to a career in this field, and it continues to grow at a rapid rate, but you must also be aware that it does have a few unique challenges, and it is not for everyone.
