As production on the internet increases, the probability of potential cyberattacks also increases. Which means a cybersecurity career is profitable. What steps need to be taken to break into this growing field?
Why Career Opportunities in Cybersecurity are Growing
As our society has grown more fond of using the internet as a place to research, shop and communicate, our economy has benefited greatly from it and continues to benefit from eCommerce giants like Amazon. This has opened new opportunities as well as new threats. There are actions that should be taken to prevent the fraud on the internet.
A consumer trust survey revealed that a large percentage of people believe they may fall victim to internet fraud this coming year. Because of this, the cybersecurity industry is quickly expanding to help protect companies and consumers from theses probable threats.
Now is a great time to move into cybersecurity. Explore this quick guide on how to get into cybersecurity as well as the education requirements.
43% of all cyber attacks are aimed at smaller businesses. In 2017, 61% of data breach victims were companies with less than 1,000 employees.
What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is a way to protect networks from potential cyberattacks. Cybersecurity professionals use techniques that help prevent data breaches as well as manage disaster recovery in the event of a data breach.
Cybersecurity is often seen as one of those big problems that only large companies like banks and tech companies should be concerned with. However, according to the Cyber Defense Magazine (https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com/cyber-security-statistics-for-2019/) 43% of all cyber attacks are aimed at smaller businesses. In 2017, 61% of data breach victims were companies with less than 1,000 employees. A strong cybersecurity team helps to prevent these attacks from occurring and helps manage disaster recovery in the event of an attack.
As the internet becomes further cloud-based, this industry will continue to grow. Most people and businesses rely on technology to cater to every aspect of their daily lives. Commerce, bill payments, passwords, financial management, and medical data are all stored online. With recent high-profile data breaches occurring, organizations are beginning to realize that they are vulnerable to these attacks.
IT governance is a requirement for any public company that sells financial products. This means that they are obligated to have a system in place for protecting sensitive data.
These protection techniques also help prevent auditing fraud as seen with Enron and WorldCom. Cybersecurity professionals help keep the economy running by ensuring the flow of information and money meets federal guidelines.
How to Get into Cybersecurity
The path to a cybersecurity career varies based on how much experience you currently have. If you are already in IT, it is best to focus on continuing your education to learn the newest network security laws.
It is also important to master a specific IT skill as a way to impress potential employers. Showing skill in scripting languages, like Python and Bash, can also be beneficial.
If you are not in IT yet, it is important to get the fundamentals before pursuing your career. Cybersecurity is just one part of a larger whole.
Consider taking online IT classes to learn the basics. Attending night school could also be very beneficial. The additional education not only helps you in the long run but also proves to employers that you are dedicated to the career choice.
Including recent educational experience when shifting to a new career gives you relevant information to add to your resume if you had no related experience to begin with.
According to CIO, cybersecurity professionals earn an average of $116,000 annually or $55.77 per hour. Cybersecurity is a fast-growing career and the current job growth rate is around 28% with more positions available than there are qualified professionals.
Do I Need a Degree?
There are entry-level cybersecurity careers that accept an Associate’s degree. And while most cybersecurity positions advertise a preference for an educational background in Information Technology, the increased availability in alternative education and training in the form of online certifications is shifting industry thinking regarding traditional degrees.
On-the-job experience can easily replace the need for a degree. Additionally, many of the online-certifications available offer hands-on labs. Networking with other IT professionals can help increase your experience and improve your credibility. So be sure to work those LinkedIn connections as well.
Many employers will be willing to look beyond your education level if you are highly recommended by other credible professionals. If you do well with selling yourself, networking events are a good option for you.
What About Certifications?
Another way to enter the cybersecurity arena is to earn cybersecurity certification. Certifications help you remain up-to-date on the newest requirements in the cybersecurity field and they will make you more competitive as a job candidate.
Technology is rapidly changing, and this means that cybersecurity corporations are going to require employees with new and up to date knowledge to provide quality services. This is something a certification can help with.
Getting certified will provide you with the tools you need to respond to the newest threats in the market.
There is not one cybersecurity certification that covers all bases of the field. It is important to select the certification that best matches your intended career path. Here is a list of certifications to consider:
These are all accredited courses that are mapped to the NICCS Framework.
Roadmap to Success
The key to any successful journey is a good map. Mile2’s Cybersecurity Certifications Roadmap will help guide you by mapping their available certifications to a Role-Based Career path of your choosing.