Updated August 19, 2023
Introduction to Careers in Cyber Security
In this topic, we will learn about Careers in Cyber Security. Cyber Security is on-demand technology across the globe. It promises to buy us safety and security for our data, devices, network, and programs from digital attacks. Since the world has moved to a digital era where every business, no matter big or small, strives to mark its online presence. The advancement has a downside, making their data easily prone to cyber threats if not controlled or monitored correctly. Like every coin has two faces, technology can be either a boon or a bane for the community, depending upon its usage.
Practicing Cyber Security is becoming a challenge as there are more devices than humans. The phishers or attackers are getting smarter with advancements in technology. This has made the situation more severe. Let’s find out how this technology is shaping the world, the job opportunities it creates for people, careers in cyber security, salary expectations, career growth, and related facts.
Education Required for Careers in Cyber Security
Cyber Security is a serious business because things are changing very quickly. Any concepts or learnings that are learned cannot be used throughout the career as technology changes with each passing day. There are huge opportunities in Information Security, Internet Marketing, Online Commerce, Never the Least, and Cyber Security, to name a few. Concerning Cyber Security, there are huge opportunities available as several degree programs and certification courses are available in the market.
ISACA is an international professional association focused on IT governance. ISACA forecasted that there would be a 60% growth in this technology in 2018. The shortage of a qualified Cyber Security engineer is so severe that Forbes quoted “the fast-growing job with a huge skill gap – Cyber Security.”
These facts made us stand in front of a bigger question. How can one tap the immense career growth and make a career in Cyber Security?
The many paths to a career in Cyber Security.
Many answers will be available if one learns how these Cyber Security experts have started their careers. One thing is for sure these courses, degree programs, and certifications cannot hold you back, but access can be beneficial. Let’s look at the different education paths to a career in Cyber Security.
Mindset is prime, which comes before any other medium. The reason is simply this field must excite you.
Let us see the other kinds of behavior needed for a successful career.
- Learning attitude throughout.
- You must have a habit of seeing the other side of any scenario. This will improve your thinking perspective.
These behaviors are crucial as technology will come and go, but these behaviors’ mindsets may last long.
1. Undergraduate Degree
There are several undergraduate degree programs available worldwide. The challenge is not in their presence but in their availability. They are very hardly available to the masses. Regarding India, one can also look for normal B. Tech/B.C. degree programs that will serve you better, as these are technology-related streams.
2. Certification
The value of certification is constantly debated in context. These can be helpful, but there are specific criteria on which these certifications struggle. Yes, these certifications are not hands-on (to the extent they must be). These certifications are available in the market, but do a complete analysis before you opt.
- CISSP – Certified Info. System Security Professional
- CISA – Certified Information System Auditor
- CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
- GSEC – Essential Certifications
- CRIC – Certified in Risk and Information System Control
- CEH – Certified Ethical Hacker
- ESCA – EC – Council Certified Security Analyst
- GPEN – GIAC Penetration Tester
- CompTIA Security
- SSCP – System Security Certified Practitioner
3. Experience
This is most valuable and hard to get. Hands-On experience is the main ingredient before you call yourself a cybersecurity expert.
Refer to this link for international colleges – Cybersecurity colleges
Refer to this link for national colleges providing cybersecurity courses – Indian Cybersecurity colleges
Career Path in Cyber Security
The career path in Cyber Security is given below:
1. Entry-level
- Cyber Security Specialist/ Technician
- Cybercrime Analyst/ Investigator
- Incident Analyst/ Responder
- IT Auditor
2. Mid-level
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Cyber Security Consultants
- Penetration & Vulnerability Tester
3. Advanced-level
- Cyber Security Manager/ Administrator
- Cyber Security Engineer
- Cyber Security Architect
Once you are done with your education and lucky to win an interview, you will get the above-mentioned roles and positions. One thing to note is that the work in all the organizations will be the same, but the roles this company offers to the individuals are slightly different. To better explain my words, I would like to give a practical scenario of how things work. Maybe a company will offer an Auditor or Analyst position to any newcomer irrespective of the job responsibility, which is the same.
Making a career in Cyber Security has vast potential and career growth in today’s world, where companies spend trillions of dollars to protect their sensitive data and avoid breaching.
The reasons are:
- Unlimited GROWTH
- Plenty VARIETY
- Puzzle-solving ABILITY
- Job IMPACT
Jobs and Application Areas
Application areas where Cyber Security incidents can be leveraged for better efficiency are listed below:
- Network Monitoring
- Host Monitoring
- Behavioral Analysis
- Threat Intelligence
- Process Automation
Salary
Average Cyber Security salary $92, 781.
Cyber Security pay by an employer – Stats Link
- Booz, Allen, and Hamilton – $81,466
- The MITRE corporation – $101,707
- Raytheon Co. – $87,429
- Northrop Grumman Corporation – $100,796
- Lockheed Martin Corp – $101, 497
Indian facts and stats regarding salary reports.
- The position of Product security engineer with 3-4 years of work experience in Bangalore is offered at 3.20 lakhs.
- In Mumbai, the security engineer gets 60k monthly.
- Refer to this link – Indian Facts and Stats.
Looking at the salary with the angle of the position offered – Refer to this link
1. Entry-level
- Cybersecurity Specialist/ Technician – $75,000
- Cybercrime Analyst/ Investigator – $85,000
- Incident Analyst/ Responder – $99,000
- IT Auditor – $86,000
2. Mid-level
- Cybersecurity Analyst -$85,000
- Cybersecurity Consultants – $100,000
- Penetration & Vulnerability Tester – $102,000
3. Advanced-level
- Cybersecurity Manager/ Administrator – $115,000
- Cybersecurity Engineer – $108,000
- Cybersecurity Architect – $129,000
Career Outlook
In one sentence, the career outlook can be summed up – “there has never been a better time than this for a career in Cyber Security to invest.” A career in this is filled with huge roles with complex structures. Organizations like banks (prime), retailers, the IT industry, the government(prime), and any other industry rely entirely on this technology. A great leap brought humankind to the forefront; yes, it was the advancement in mobile technology in mid-2014. This great boom in mobile payment, social media, and cloud computing has drawn the attention of criminals.
Conclusion
The conclusion is mainly mashed up and lacks clarity. This career in cyber security article does not face this issue as the above facts and evidence speak for themselves. Let’s see some alarming facts and stats to end up this discussion. Forbes said that there is a huge demand for cybersecurity jobs (starting from the year 2016 onwards). Refer to the link. There is a hacker attack every 39 seconds. 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses. The average cost of a data breach in the year 2020 will exceed $150 million. Refer to the link.
Cybercriminals are on the FBI’s most-wanted list, and Mobile malware is rising. These stats are alarming and a good sign to invest in a career in Cyber Security. The more one knows the more one realizes that no organizations are safe regarding a data breach. Companies must consider the importance of strong cybersecurity culture and a healthy sense of paranoia when protecting sensitive data.
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