If you read through the most recent news headlines, you’ll likely come across a story about yet another company that is dealing with a significant data breach. Since the number of data breaches goes up every year, it makes sense that there is a big need for cybersecurity experts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a need for tens of thousands more cybersecurity jobs by 2026, adding to the demand for competent analysts, managers, and administrators.
Today, a lot of people seeking a profession are beginning to think about a career in cybersecurity. The need for highly qualified cybersecurity personnel has been increasing, and research indicates that this trend will continue. But employers are anticipating a scarcity of qualified cybersecurity specialists in the workforce.
Why Cybersecurity Careers are in High Demand
It is Impossible to Reverse Our Reliance on Technology.
Would you be willing to give up or not use any of your devices for a week? Most people, especially those who are younger, cannot remember the time when we didn’t have computers in every home, or a device brought by every person. We have become so dependent on technology that it is now part of how we live our everyday lives. For instance, if the local pharmacy lost access to their computer systems, could they fill any prescriptions or would they be able to look at what medicine they needed? This is just one example of how much our economy depends on technology, which shows how important it is to hire more cybersecurity staff.
The Number of Online Users Vulnerable to Hacking is Constantly Growing.
Now almost all people are carrying cell phones, laptops, tablets, and others, and all of these devices are connected online and contain some personal data inside. Since they are connected online, they can be hacked from anywhere and therefore need to be protected.
Most Financial Transactions Take Place Online.
Bank robbers used to target bank buildings because that is where the money was, but now that the data systems house most of the money, these are the new targets. Hacking a bank’s or retailer’s financial system is more attractive and less risky than trying to steal something from a physical site where there are many security cameras. These financial networks always require cybersecurity protection and present a strong opportunity for those who are looking for a cybersecurity job.
The Government Recommends that Companies Protect Their Data.
Businesses and industries have always been subject to some degree of regulation, but security laws are now being imposed by the government more frequently, requiring institutions like healthcare providers and insurance firms to safeguard data and adhere to cybersecurity requirements. Normally, the government and its policies take a while to catch up with the status of cybersecurity, but they are making progress to assist these businesses in remaining compliant, and so cybersecurity experts are greatly needed.
The Most Sought-after Cybersecurity Skills Employers Look For
Because of the current skills gap and the growing threat of cybercrime, there is a growing demand for cybersecurity specialists each year. Professionals in cybersecurity must, however, also be equipped with cutting-edge abilities for future career opportunities and know how to get the best employment. Cybersecurity is a complicated field, covering everything from identifying network weaknesses and mitigating threats to recovering lost data when a cyberattack happens. Here are the top cybersecurity skills that employers look for in candidates for cybersecurity positions:
Network and System Administration Skills
The first requirement for becoming a cybersecurity professional is to have a solid understanding of networking, including data transmission protocols and services that guard the data of your organization. You must know network protocols such as HTTP, TCP/UCP, DNS, ICMP, and SMTP, and network security device functions like proxies, firewalls, DNS, and load balancers. As a network security specialist, you will be in charge of designing and implementing secure network designs that are resistant to cyberattacks. For building, deploying, and protecting distributed, interconnected networks, it’s important to understand IT infrastructure and know how to be a secure network architect.
Application Security Skills
Employers are looking for professionals who know how to develop, implement, and manage safe applications because there are dozens of distinct apps used by different teams and departments within a business, all of which could be targeted by hackers. A candidate looking for a job in cybersecurity must be well-versed in the methodologies and processes used in software and application development, as well as in the typical security risks faced by websites and software applications and how to deal with them.
Cloud Security Skills
Cloud security skills are necessary for building the architecture that allows secure interactions between the cloud and the applications. Companies are looking for security experts who can work with public and hybrid platforms like Azure, Amazon, and GCP. Instead of being the result of mistakes made by the cloud service provider, almost all security breaches in the cloud are caused by user error. The ability to create and implement security measures that safeguard a company’s cloud infrastructure is a requirement for individuals pursuing their cybersecurity careers.
Penetration Testing Skills
You must be well-versed in common hacking tools and methods in addition to network security, operating system security, and application security. To build the ability to defend businesses against malicious attacks, you must study how hackers think and operate. Any organization that maintains sensitive data must regularly conduct penetration testing. Penetration testers use legal hacking methods to check for vulnerabilities in a company’s security measures. In other words, they try to hack a system in the same way that a real hacker would. If a test hack is successful, the cybersecurity team uses the test data to improve security measures and address any potential flaws before a malicious hacker exploits them.
Risk Assessment and Management Skills
Risk assessment is an essential part of the cybersecurity skill set. It locates the security holes in your systems and then takes steps to reduce the risk. Part of its process involves penetration testing and artificial intelligence (AI). AI systems can anticipate data viruses, phishing attempts, and social engineering scams before they can cause harm.
Cybersecurity Education
One of the best ways to boost your cybersecurity skills and land a cybersecurity job is through formal and advanced education, and employers now require it. Some companies seek employees with higher degrees, such as a master’s in cybersecurity. Employers are also drawn to certifications and credentials. Prospects with the CompTIA Security and Certified Information Privacy Professional certificates are in high demand, according to Cyberseek–a service that gives information on the topic of cybersecurity. The credentials for Certified Information Security Manager and Certified Information Systems Security Professional both stand out on a resume.
If you want to oversee a group of licensed and qualified workers, you will need even more. An advanced degree combined with significant experience in the field gives you the upper hand for future career opportunities.
Conclusion
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of cybersecurity jobs will increase by 33% over the next ten years, despite claims of widespread layoffs in the computer sector. These skills are still in high demand, and skilled workers in this field continue to attract competitive pay scales. The cybersecurity applicant stands out if they have the right experience and training in these mission-critical fields, which can propel their resume to the top of the list.
For those who are planning to enter the cybersecurity field, RW2 Career and Technical Education offers a cybersecurity program. It is a 24-week cybersecurity class starting this April, in person and online. You can be confident that you will be taught the necessary knowledge and skills to launch your entry-level cybersecurity career and open doors to new opportunities.
Don’t miss the opportunity and register now!
