What is the most prominent threat for enterprises in the modern world? The digital revolution has enabled businesses to transform their operations and reach their customers faster and in larger numbers. However, digital transformation also comes with the inherent risks of security. Companies have large volumes of sensitive information on digital platforms, which are vulnerable to attacks and exploits.
Therefore, the demand for talent in cybersecurity has been surging upwards in recent times. Businesses need professionals with expertise in identifying the risks for their digital infrastructure, recommending appropriate methods for resolving the risks, and ensuring compliance with information security laws and guidelines. So, how could you take the first step for your career in cybersecurity?
Decoding the Rising Demand of Cybersecurity Talent
According to a study by Burning Glass in June 2019, the number of job listings in this field had increased by 94% since 2013. In addition, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has also stated that the number of new cybersecurity programs increased by 33%.
Another important aspect of such jobs is the difficulty in filling up positions for various roles. The study by Burning Glass reveals that jobs in this career generally take 20% longer than general IT roles for filling up. Employers have to face the restriction of a really small labor pool in information security. Irrespective of the rise in the number of training programs, employers could access a pool of about two potential employees to recruit for a job opening.
On the other hand, the lack of talent induces competition among employers to attract talent at a higher price. Cybersecurity jobs offer more payment than other jobs in the domain of IT, with average salaries ranging around $93,540. So, you can clearly notice the promising growth opportunities with careers in this field. Now, it is important to identify the in-demand job roles and skills that can help you land up with lucrative job postings.
In-Demand Skills for Cybersecurity Career
Information and system security jobs are generally available with descriptions classified into two different areas, such as hybrid jobs and pure jobs. The core roles focus on key skill requirements such as cryptography, vulnerability assessment, and information assurance. On the other hand, hybrid jobs generally involve the task of cybersecurity being built into tasks in other job roles such as network administrators. Hybrid jobs could impose skill requirements such as customer service, technical support, and system administration.
Burning Glass has also released a recent report based on their analysis of the top cybersecurity skills for 2021. The foremost finding from the report by Burning Glass refers to the requirement of cloud security skills. In comparison to the general demand for professional experience and skills in the existing labor market, specific cloud security skills have started gaining attention. According to the report, Azure Security, Google Cloud Security, Cloud Security Infrastructure, Cloud Security Architecture, and Public Cloud Security will be the in-demand cloud security skills for the next five years.
At the same time, professionals aspiring for promising jobs in this field should also notice the other emerging industry trends. The domains of container security, DevSecOps, application development security, application security code review, and microservices security have also become critical functions in modern cybersecurity infrastructures. Therefore, professionals would need to focus on application development security as well as cloud security for capitalizing on the emerging career prospects in cybersecurity.
In-Demand Cybersecurity Jobs
What are the top job roles in this career that you can consider for starting your future in this domain? Here is an outline of the most in-demand cybersecurity job roles.
- Cybersecurity manager or administrator
- Cybersecurity consultant
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Network architect
- Cybersecurity engineer
Are You Ready for Cybersecurity Jobs?
Now that you know about the different skills you need for starting your career in information and systems security, you can easily build your foundation. Many candidates prefer to capitalize on a beginner’s guide for mastering cybersecurity fundamentals and build their way gradually in skill development. A detailed strategy for developing your professional growth in the landscape of digital security would then rely on certifications.
Employers can verify the expertise of professionals easily through certifications by top vendors. In addition, the growing diversity of skills requirements also emphasizes the need for candidates to diversify their learning. Apart from learning from a theoretical perspective, aspiring professionals should also dive into the practical applications of cybersecurity. Develop the required skills, and you’re all set for a high-paying job in a career in security right now!
