With a surge in online crimes, cybersecurity has become imperative these days. Businesses, especially multinational companies, from around the world are spending millions of dollars on cybersecurity.
Not just that, individuals are also quite careful with cybersecurity problems nowadays.
That being said, many people are building a career in cybersecurity. They’re pursuing professional degrees in computer science with a special emphasis on cybersecurity and seeking relevant jobs. Well, it won’t be wrong to say that it’s a promising career that pays well.
If you’re looking to become a cybersecurity expert as well and build a career in the same field, you’re in for a treat.
Here we have everything there’s to know about building a career in cybersecurity. From the required skills and certifications to job opportunities, we’ve got you fully covered.
Table of Contents
How to Build a Career in Cybersecurity?
As mentioned above, cybersecurity issues have increased a lot. It is something that costs businesses and individuals millions of dollars everywhere as they maximize privacy and control with dedicated IPs, digital locks, and 24/7 monitoring.
Not to mention, they hire people for all such job roles and pay them well.
In other words, cybersecurity experts are now in high demand. Companies hire them now and then to ensure that they’re digitally safe. Becoming a cybersecurity expert or building a career in cybersecurity is similar to other professions.
The first thing that you need to do is make up your mind and ask yourself if that’s what you want. When done, you can start the practical work.
Get the Relevant Degree
A cybersecurity expert must know everything there is to know about a computer device and the internet and the only way to do that is by getting the relevant degree.
You can either get a degree in computer science with a specialization in cybersecurity or a degree with a specialization in information security. It will open plenty of diverse doors for you in the future.
Most cybersecurity experts start with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or information technology.
When done, they go for a master’s degree in cybersecurity operations and leadership. Getting a master’s degree helps them in securing high-paying jobs and expands their career opportunities.
Besides that, there’s an option for cybersecurity engineering. In this field, you start with obtaining a bachelor’s degree in engineering followed by a master’s degree in cybersecurity engineering or information technology. Whatever field you pick, remember that getting the relevant degree is the key.
Get Certified
If you wish to land a high-paying job in the field of cybersecurity, getting a few certifications is mandatory. Certifications can help you land a job even if you don’t have an entirely relevant degree or a master’s degree in cybersecurity.
The following are some of the most sought-after cybersecurity certifications:
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH);
- Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC);
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA);
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM);
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP); and,
- CompTIA Security.
Besides that, you can also check out vendor-specific certifications. Symantec, RSA, and Cisco offer a number of certifications in cybersecurity. Such certifications are often pretty attractive to recruiters, depending on the job role and designation.
Job Opportunities in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a growing industry and more and more jobs are being invented in this field. According to statistics, the global cybersecurity market will reach $202 billion by the end of 2023.
Thus, it’s safe to say that cybersecurity professionals are demanded everywhere these days. Mentioned below are the top cybersecurity jobs that you can get this year:
Cybersecurity Engineer
Cybersecurity engineers plan the security measures that help prevent a company from online attacks and digital scams. They design cybersecurity platforms and work in collaboration with all teams to maintain digital security.
Incident Manager
Incident managers have primary responsibility for handling and fixing online incidents. They are usually called in when a cybersecurity issue takes place and they’re responsible for providing resolutions.
Database Administrator
Database administrators are responsible for monitoring and managing the databases of organizations. Not just that, they also help in creating and designing the database. Plus, they make sure that the database is secure and protected at all times.
Cloud Security Specialists
Companies are heavily relying on the cloud these days and because of that, they hire cloud security specialists all the time. A cloud security specialist helps keep the network, systems, and data secure from cyber-attacks.
Computer Forensic Analyst
Computer forensic analysts work on cybersecurity cases. They collect data and retrieve it. They also help in recovering stolen and manipulated data.
Malware Analyst
Malware analysts work for examining and identifying online threats, including trojans, bots, worms, and viruses. They also help in developing anti-malware programs to avoid and eliminate all such cyber threats.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Last but not least, every company these days has a chief information security officer. It’s usually a senior position with the job role of ensuring complete safety in an organization. CISOs maintain information security and are responsible for risk management.
The Final Word…
All the positions mentioned above usually require a relevant degree as well as certifications in cybersecurity.
In case one of those is missing, you may not be the team lead or get a higher salary. Therefore, to get you started, we suggest you follow the right procedure and take one step at a time.
