If you’re finishing middle school, thinking about graduating from college or even switching jobs, chances are you’ve given some thought to the vast tech industry. With significant and cybercrime emerging cyber threats predicted to cost the world US $ 6 trillion by 2021, it is no surprise that cybersecurity professionals are a “hot commodity.” There are not enough of them; The number of available cybersecurity professionals will need to grow by a whopping 175% to meet the global demands of the market.
This week is National Career Week in the United Kingdom, and we have rounded up five reasons why cybersecurity may be the right career path for you.
The future is digital
There is some doubt that cybersecurity will increasingly become an essential part of most industries. Given that the average cost of a data breach on a global scale is approximately US $ 4 million, it is not surprising that organizations seek to consolidate their ranks with cybersecurity professionals.
Doors are open to you either in the private or public sector or as a freelancer. You don’t necessarily have to stick to one role or one industry for that matter – because everything is connected nowadays. Everyone needs protection: be it a small and up-and-coming startup or an enterprise with billions of dollars in revenue.
Variety
Cybersecurity continues to evolve, just as the rest of the tech world does, which means that new roles will emerge while older characters slowly grow to include new skills. Even now, there is an abundance of parts to choose from.
For example, you can become a prominent data scientist and work with emerging technologies such as machine learning. If you’re more into solving puzzles and looking for flaws, you can become a penetration tester working to crack the security of customers’ IT systems or become an ethical hacker enrolled in official bug bounty programs Can. While the two test the safety of different IT systems, their methods of functioning vary. Often, penetration testers are more specialized in specific areas, while ethical hackers are jacks of all trades.
The wages
Since the talent gap is so large, companies are offering competitive salaries to entice their potential candidates. One thing to note is that although wages are good, they vary depending on the position you are applying for and the area you are using for.
According to an ISC2 study, the average salary in North America for cybersecurity-related jobs is about the US $ 90,000 a year. Indeed, a job and recruitment website has very high backs, with an average figure of US $ 111,000. Depending on the position and your level of seniority, for example, penetration testers make the US $ 122,000 per year, while networking security engineers have an average income of US $ 117,000 per year, and information security analysts have an average salary of US $ US $. Is 89,000.
Job satisfaction
The ICS2 study found that job satisfaction is high among cybersecurity professionals in North America, with 71% of respondents saying they are satisfied. Professionals working in this field are proud of the fact that they are protecting people and organizations against cybercrime, as well as helping them find solutions to technical problems. Another advantage is that the environment is always changing, the work that remains interesting: these professionals have an endless series of challenges they must analyze and conquer.
Education and Certification
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a degree in cybersecurity to get started in the field. Although a growing number of universities and colleges offer such degrees, many experts are self-taught, as there is more than one route to their goal. If you are a student applying to universities, look for a program that best fits your needs.
If you are considering a career switch, you may not have the luxury and time to attend university. In that case, you can start by trying online courses, attending Meetups, and following cybersecurity professionals on online media. Certification can be an essential part of your education, as certified professionals rapidly rise through the ranks and have better salaries. There are many certificates available depending on the field you want to specialize in; you just need to choose the right one for you.
There is no better time than the present to join the ranks of cybersecurity experts. So if you are ready to dive, we suggest that you start this article as a jumping-off point.
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