Career In Cybersecurity

Career In Cybersecurity 

Job Growth in Cybersecurity:

The field of cybersecurity is rapidly growing and has a high demand for workers. The job growth rate is estimated at 37% per year and there are over 40,000 job positions that go unfilled each year in the US. By 2018, an estimated 500,000 cybersecurity jobs in the US were still waiting to be filled.

High Salaries in Cybersecurity:

Because there are not enough skilled cybersecurity professionals to meet the demand, salaries in this field are high. The average salary for a cybersecurity worker is $116,000 which is nearly three times the national average. A study by Indeed also shows that cybersecurity professionals make six-figure incomes in many parts of the US, with some jobs paying up to $170,000 a year.

Other Reasons to Consider Cybersecurity:

Cybersecurity is not only a secure job market with high salaries, it is also a challenging and important field to work in. As technology changes, so do jobs in the IT field, and cybersecurity is a future-oriented field with more potential than any other IT field. Making the switch to cybersecurity from IT can also lead to a rewarding career doing important work and constantly being challenged.

Qualifications Needed for a Career in Cybersecurity:

Cybersecurity experts must have good instincts for intelligence gathering and problem-solving. They must be able to understand how data can be vulnerable to attacks and develop plans to keep it secure. Technology is only one part of the job, as these experts also need to understand processes, communicate effectively, and educate people on privacy.

Responsibilities in Cybersecurity:

The main goal of cybersecurity is to protect information stored on computers and to respond in the event of a data breach. Cybersecurity experts work to protect a company's hardware and software, develop risk analysis plans, and meet legal requirements. They also play an important role in educating people on how to keep their digital data protected.

Importance of Cybersecurity:

Organizations such as banks, hospitals, and major companies rely on cybersecurity experts because they store large amounts of sensitive data, including personal information, credit card details, and intellectual property. If a hacker gains access to this data, they can sell it, demand a ransom, or make it public. To stay ahead of attackers, cybersecurity experts must be logical, tenacious, and able to outwit their opponents. Despite the challenges, a data breach can also be an opportunity for cybersecurity experts to shine.

Making the Move to Cybersecurity:

Your first step in making the transition into cybersecurity is to determine which area of cybersecurity you want to focus on. Consider your skills, interests, and strengths, and think about the kinds of tasks you enjoy doing. Some popular roles in the field include IT Security Specialist, Information Security Analyst, Network Security Engineer, Security Engineer, and Application Security Engineer.

1. Security Administrator:

As a Security Administrator, you will be responsible for managing and implementing security measures to protect networks and computer systems. To excel in this role, you should have a CompTIA Security+ certification and experience in the field. Alternatively, a bachelor's degree in information technology, information systems, or computer science is also acceptable.

Education and Certification Requirements:

To work as a Security Administrator, you need to have a CompTIA Security+ certification and relevant experience in the field. This certification will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this technical role.

Salary Expectations

The average annual salary for a Security Administrator is around $55,000.

2. Security Specialist

Cybersecurity is advancing and now includes management duties. Security experts give tasks to others and control the technology used for security. They also give advice to people outside of the tech team about IT problems.

Education and Certification Requirements:

To work as a Security Specialist you need either a CompTIA Security+ certificate with experience or a CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst certificate with experience. Another option is to have a bachelor's degree in information technology, information systems, or computer science.

Salary Expectations:

The average annual salary for a Security Specialist is $58,490.

3. Senior Cybersecurity Architect/Engineer:

Senior cybersecurity architects, also called cybersecurity engineers, create, implement, and carry out strong cybersecurity plans. At this advanced level in cybersecurity, you will assess risks, check for security, plan for how to handle cyber attacks and breaches, calculate the cost of these plans, and either carry out the plans yourself or lead your security team to do so. To be a cybersecurity expert at this level, you should prepare for the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner exam.

Education and Certification Requirements:

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner certification plus experience. To work at this level, companies need you to have a bachelor's degree in information technology, information systems, or computer science, or a lot of experience in cybersecurity.

Salary Expectations:

The average annual salary for a Senior cybersecurity architect is $162,641.

4. Information Security Analyst:

Information security analysts monitor networks at a high level and use analysis tools to find weaknesses in the network and how to handle threats. This is the fastest-growing area in the cybersecurity job market and these professionals use security information and event management tools to make sense of complex log files and provide context so the security team can make plans. The CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ certification covers everything someone in this role needs to know.

Education and Certification Requirements:

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst certification with experience, or CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner certification with experience.

Salary Expectations:

The average annual salary for an Information security analyst is $92,600.

5. Information Assurance Technician:

Information assurance technicians fix, handle, and solve problems with computers for the military. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has rules that many information assurance specialist and technician jobs need a CompTIA Security+ certification. As you progress in your role, the DoD might require the difficult and technical CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner certification. People who work for civilian companies on military projects and are involved in networks that need approval may also be required to have a CompTIA Security+ or CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner certification.

Education and Certification Requirements:

CompTIA Security+ certification to start; CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner certification to advance.

Salary Expectations:

The average annual salary for an Information assurance technician is $53,820.

Building Your Skills:

Once you have a clear idea of the kind of cybersecurity role you want to pursue, you can start building the skills and knowledge you need for that position. Consider taking courses or certifications in your chosen area of focus, and gain hands-on experience through internships or projects. Networking with people in the industry can also be helpful in finding job opportunities and learning from others in the field.

To get started in a cybersecurity job, you need to decide what you want to focus on and what kind of education or experience you need. Many jobs require a bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field. Some jobs may also require a master's degree. If you already have a degree and some IT experience, you can learn more about a specific type of cybersecurity through a certification.

There are many different certifications to choose from, like COBIT 5, CompTIA Security+, Certified Network Defender, Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Information Security Manager, Certified Risk and Information Systems Control, Cloud Computing Security Knowledge, and Certified Cloud Security Professional. These certifications can help you get started or transition into the cybersecurity field and keep your IT career up-to-date in an ever-changing industry.

Note:

Read my blog on misconceptions and fallacies of cybersecurity.

Read my blog on Top trends in cybersecurity