Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. There are many careers in cybersecurity, all of which are in high demand and pay well. A computer science degree or certificate program can teach you the skills you’ll require to flourish in these fields.
However, there are alternative options for getting started. Many IT professionals have been able to transition into cybersecurity without formal training by taking advantage of online resources.
A Brief Overview of the Cybersecurity Career
For the uninitiated, cybersecurity is a broad term that covers many different jobs. It encompasses everything from ethical hacking to software development. There’s a lot of demand for people with a knack for technology and know coding, AI, IoT, Blockchain security, and related skills.
With such high demand, there’s an upward trend in salaries. There were 3.5 million open cybersecurity positions in 2021, a 350% spike from 2013.
If you’re interested in pursuing or switching a career in this industry, it might be worth taking an online master of science in cybersecurity course. With your new degree under your belt, you’ll have more career prospects at your disposal.
Network Engineering and Administration
Network engineering and administration is a field that requires a great deal of knowledge, experience, and skills. The average business suffers a loss of 12.9 million because of network performance issues. Hiring a network engineer contributes to cost savings by ensuring the systems perform seamlessly. Network engineers have many responsibilities, and one of the most important ones is maintaining network security.
The demand for trained professionals to fill these roles has grown exponentially over the past few years because cyber security threats have also increased exponentially during this timeframe. There’s never been a better time than now to join the ranks of these valuable assets and reap all those benefits we mentioned earlier.
Systems Security Engineering
Systems security engineering is a quickly growing field, with the IT security market expected to be worth $174.7 billion by 2024. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing computer network security protocols. You may work with software developers to ensure the security of new applications. This way, you confirm that your company’s products remain safe from attack.
Additionally, systems security engineers often work with network administrators or system architects to deploy protections on existing infrastructure and ensure it remains secure from attacks. This is a critical function as more organizations rely on cloud-based solutions for daily operations.
Cloud Service Management and Security
Cloud service management and security is a prevalent career path. It’s also one of the highest-paying cybersecurity jobs, with a median compensation of $150,000 annually. Cloud service managers and security professionals also with health cloud implementation consultant manage cloud infrastructure, applications, and data. They develop policies and guidelines to protect against risk and implement solutions safeguarding your data in this highly mobile environment.
Cloud services are growing exponentially, and so are data loss or leakage concerns. According to a recent study, 64% of people surveyed were concerned about losing their personal information in the cloud due to a hack or other cyberattack. As such, many companies want to hire qualified professionals who can help them navigate these risks while maximizing their utilization of cloud technologies which will only continue growing over time.
Information Security Auditing and Compliance
The information security auditing and compliance role requires a wide range of skills and experience, from reviewing an organization’s policies and procedures to analyzing its data security program.
Auditors ensure that organizations adhere to laws, regulations, standards, and best practices. To this end, they must have strong analytical skills and knowledge of specific industry requirements such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).
Information security auditors are highly sought after in today’s cybersecurity landscape because they can help companies comply with many regulations while ensuring they’re protected against cyber threats.
Encryption, Cryptography, and Data Security
Encryption, cryptography, and data security are all related but distinct fields of cybersecurity. Encryption refers to encrypting content so that those with the decryption key can only view it. Data security protects data from loss, theft, and unauthorized access. Cryptography is the science of securing information using encryption.
To break down what each field entails: encryption is a method used to protect data; cryptography deals with creating new encryption methods, while data security ensures that your system defends against attacks on its integrity or confidentiality.
Digital Forensics
The study of retrieving and interpreting data from digital storage devices is known as digital forensics. It’s used to investigate crimes, find evidence, and identify suspects. Digital forensics may be used to recover lost information, trace internet activity, and recover passwords.
This is a high-demand sector because the need for digital forensics will grow as more companies use cloud computing services and electronic documents continue to replace paper records. The global market for digital forensics is expected to reach 8.973 billion USD by 2026, up from 5 billion USD in 2016, according to MarketsandMarkets research firm.
There Are Many Career Opportunities in Cybersecurity
There are several sorts of cybersecurity employment. You can work for a commercial company, a government agency or institution, or even in academia. Each of these sectors has distinct needs for cyber security experts.
There are also several prospects for growth in the profession. As more data becomes available online and in electronic form, the need for qualified individuals who can protect it will continue to grow.
Security analysts must ensure that they’re keeping up with today’s evolving threats while meeting their employer’s requirements; there needs to be room for complacency here.
Conclusion
The cybersecurity profession is rapidly expanding and exhibits no signs of stopping. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the global cybercrime market is expected to reach $6 trillion by 2021. That’s a lot of money. And if you want to fight cybercrime with your career, then these are some of the best jobs you can get right now.
