Five Reasons Why You Should Consider Career in Cybersecurity

According to one study, about 30,000 websites are hacked daily, with new attacks occurring somewhere on the web every 39 seconds. In the United States alone, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recorded 791,790 cybercrime complaints by 2022, an increase of 69 percent from 2019.

Businesses today have to donate a growing amount of resources — time, money, and talent — to detect and prevent cyber attacks. The result has been the growing demand for online security professionals.

Whether you are new to the job or you want to change direction, here are five important reasons why you should consider today's — and tomorrow's — the hottest field in technology.

1. Large Number of Cybersecurity Jobs

If you do a quick search for "cybersecurity" on any major job search site, your search may result in hundreds, if not thousands, of blank spaces.

Companies create new cybersecurity jobs faster than they can complete.

Between April 2020 and May 2021, there were nearly 500,000 online security-related activities across the United States. Globally, Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that there may be as many as 3.5 million unfinished jobs in defense by the end of 2021. This number represents an astonishing 350 percent growth in online security services since 2013.

So while it may not be easy to find a suitable job, it is safe to say that professionals with online safety skills have a distinct advantage over this highly competitive job market.

2. Cybersecurity Skills Gap

The need for highly skilled professionals in cybersecurity is growing faster than the level at which people are gaining the skills needed.

And the cybersecurity skills gap is expected to be even worse.

According to research firm Frost & Sullivan, the shortage of skilled IT professionals is likely to increase by 1.8 million additional jobs by 2022.

Therefore, professionals with the skills and knowledge to complete these roles can now expect more job opportunities. You may even be able to negotiate a higher salary.

To learn more about the skills you need to get started on cybersecurity, check out this blog post related to the Eight Cybersecurity Skills Needed.

3. Almost Every Industry Needs Cybersecurity Specialists 

Cybersecurity services are not limited to technology. Every industry now finds itself in need of highly qualified Internet security professionals to protect their networks, data, and online activities.

The need for cybersecurity in other areas — such as health care and finance — is clear.

But sectors that once were not concerned about cyber attacks are now finding themselves at risk.

Provincial and local governments, for example, have seen an alarming rise in ransomware attacks. With cars and household items now online, Internet of Things (IoT) is facing a growing growth in online safety requirements. Even the qualifying and hospitality industries are facing financial and legal consequences as a result of data breaches.

So if you are interested in technology work but want to avoid the onset of general technology, cybersecurity work will allow you to use your technical skills in almost any field of your choice.

4. Cybersecurity Has Many Different Types of Functions

Living one step ahead of cybercrime requires teams of professionals, with different skills and knowledge base. Your cybersecurity journey will depend on your specific skills, but also on your unique interests and strengths.

This Cyber ​​Career Pathways Tool developed by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) provides a single concept for cybersecurity workers. It describes 52 different roles of online security in five different skills-based communities. Cyberseek.org provides further insight into potential cybersecurity activities. Starting with the six "feed roles", you can see the scattering skills and potential improvements from the entry level to the advanced roles.

As these tools show, many, though not all, methods of cybersecurity work start in the field of technology.

Certification or undergraduate degree in IT is a good place to start. You may find yourself upgrading to secure networks, cloud-based data protection systems, or security software to embed the latest online application.

And as you gain experience, you may find yourself interested in risk analysis, deciding to further your defense education, or seeking a higher degree or professional certificate.

This flexible, evolving field gives you the opportunity to shape your work to keep up with your evolving interests.

5. Cybersecurity Can Be A Proof Of The Future

Cybersecurity is likely to continue to see significant job growth in the foreseeable future.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, US jobs in information security are expected to grow by 33 percent from 2020 to 2030. As an indication, the average growth rate of all jobs is expected to be 7.7 percent over the next ten years.

Unfortunately for businesses wishing to hire cybersecurity professionals, the skills gap may be with us for a long time. And while some industries may be subject to economic downturns, the need to stay afloat before cybercrime does not end with the recession.

In other words, if you start a certification or degree program in cybersecurity today, your dream job will be there when you are done. The future is bright for those with the skills, knowledge, and intelligence to participate in the fight against cybercrime.