Cybersecurity Talent Crunch
As cyber-attacks continue to increase in volume and tenacity, with ever-changing tactics, the government and the private sector there has been an increase in the demand for cybersecurity talent professionals.
Cybersecurity focuses on protecting organisations from digital attacks and keeping their information and networks safe. Cybersecurity experts detect vulnerabilities, recommend software and hardware programs that can mitigate risks, and develop policies and procedures for maintaining security.
The following are reasons why you may want to consider a job in the cyber security sector:
1) Demand for cyber security talent is growing.
There has been an increasing demand for permanent and contract IT security professionals, driven by demand spurred on by the need to build strong defences against cybercrime in the wake of high profile hacks.
2) Cyber security job salaries are increasing.
Companies are prioritising longer-term investment. should consider learning the skills to become a cyber security professional.
3) Career options in Cyber Security are vast.
If you are a technical person, for example working in IT Support, and want to get into the cyber security sector then consider training and taking some cyber security courses to gain some basic or more advanced certifications.
4) Flexible Working Opportunities
The IT security industry offers flexible working hours and when working in cyber security you will often find there are many work from home cyber security jobs available.
As with any career, education is a key element of entering the workforce. There are many different educational paths that individuals can take to learn the tools of the trade. While there is no substitute for a traditional degree, certifications and experience will also play a major role in landing a job within the cybersecurity field.
Top Trends in Cybersecurity Jobs
Here are five top trends in cybersecurity jobs the market is seeing:
Outsourcing Security to Managed service providers (MSPs)
Many organisations do not have the resources to employ a full time IT security team, so they employ MSPs to support their business.
Degree Required?
It used to be that you needed a degree in computer science or a master’s degree or Ph.D. to get a position in cybersecurity. Now, highly skilled technical positions no longer require a college or advanced degree. Instead, employers are prioritising skills and real-world experience over time spent in the classroom.
Remote Work
Cybersecurity specialists supporting large organisations are dealing with a shifting workforce and are being tasked with giving employees the flexibility to work from anywhere on business-critical projects, while protecting the company’s data.
Certificates
- The top ones related to cybersecurity are:
- Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Information Security Manager for (CISM)
Professionals completing these courses learns how to identify, evaluate, and manage IT risk. They also learn the latest ways to implement defensive and remediation measures.
Threat Intelligence
Those venturing into threat intelligence and risk analytics should become fluent in artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) technologies.
Cybersecurity Career Opportunities
The cybersecurity field presents diverse career opportunities:
Chief Information Security Officers
Chief information security officers (CISOs) occupy high-level roles as they protect their companies’ data and manage IT and security issues. They work with other executives and IT security experts.
Cryptographers
Cryptographers help organisations safely and securely communicate and exchange information.
Forensics Experts
Forensics experts investigate computer and cybercrimes and help organisations protect sensitive data and information.
Incident Responder
Most incident response professionals respond to cybersecurity incidents and data breaches.
Penetration Testers
Penetration testers identify weaknesses by conducting their own simulated cyberattacks without actually making data vulnerable, a practice sometimes called ethical hacking.
Security Administrators
Security administrators create policies and procedures, identify weak areas of networks, install firewalls, and respond to security breaches.
Security Analysts
Security analysts job duties may include installing computer security software, conducting penetration testing, training employees to use secure processes, and developing procedures and policies.
Security Architects
Security architects design, plan, and supervise systems that thwart potential computer security threats.
Security Auditors
Security auditors assess and analyse computer security systems’ efficiency and safety.
Security consultants
Security consultants duties may include looking for potential security breaches, overseeing implementation of new security measures, and training employees to protect their organisations from security risks.
Security Engineers
Security engineers build intrusion detection systems and firewalls to stop attacks. Other tasks include conducting security assessments, tests, and risk analyses.
Security Software Developers
Security software integrate security protocols into existing programs and applications to ensure software security.
Source Code Auditors
Source code auditors prevent security threats, identify coding mistakes, and eliminate inefficiencies.
Vulnerability Assessors
Vulnerability assessors find weaknesses in computer systems and applications.
