If you’re looking for a new stable career path that offers high earnings potential, continuous learning and advancement opportunities, cybersecurity may be the field for you. Across the public and private sector, organizations of all sizes need to protect their intellectual property, financial information, and data. And they are often willing to pay professionals the big bucks to do it.
New professionals and career switchers with the right background and experience can find a number of different cybersecurity roles, including:
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- Security Systems Administrators, who install and administer computer and network systems on a day-to-day basis. Typically, these professionals possess at least an associate degree in computers science along with appropriate certifications.
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- IT Security Engineers, who typically possess a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science as well as previous work experience. They focus on the design of security systems, though some system maintenance work is also necessary.
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- Security Architects: These professionals design security policies and procedures designed to keep computer and data networks secure. They also analyze data breaches and repair network security issues as they arise. Security Architects usually possess a bachelor’s degree and prior work experience.
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- Penetration Testers: Also popularly known as “ethical hackers,” these individuals are responsible for testing the security of a network by attempting to penetrate it. They keep detailed records of their efforts, which are then used to reinforce the system. Penetration testers typically possess an undergraduate degree and additional relevant certifications.
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- Information Security Analysts: Information Security Analysts protect data and systems through encryption, firewalls, and other methods. Entry-level candidates usually possess an undergraduate degree. However, advanced degrees may be preferred in large corporations.
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- Forensic Computer Analyst: These cybersecurity experts help assess and analyze evidence in the wake of a data breach. This evidence is not only used to reinforce existing security systems but is also used in litigation and criminal investigations. Analysts usually have an undergraduate degree in forensic computing or a related field along with prior cybersecurity experience.
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As of late 2019, (ISC)2, the largest industry association for cybersecurity professionals in the world estimated that 4 million new cybersecurity professionals would be needed to shore up the workforce. This estimate was before the pandemic when remote work and cyberthreats skyrocketed. And given the magnitude of demand, careers in cybersecurity will be stable for the foreseeable future.
They’ll continue to be lucrative as well. The average U.S. salary is around $90,000 a year as per (ISC)2. So if you’re a college student deciding on a choice of major, or a mid-career professional looking for something more stable, a career in cybersecurity may be for you.
