You’ll be happy to know that cyber security professionals still have a strong job outlook.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people working in the cyber security industry is expected to increase by 31% over 2019-2029. This rate is far higher than the average for all occupations.
They can expect to earn a median annual salary up to $100,000, or $50 an hour. It’s easy to see why so many applicants are looking to get into this field.
Many cyber security graduates will work in the military and national security agencies. Private companies may also employ them as they rely on the skills of trained professionals to protect their data and networks. Find out more about the requirements to get a job in Cybersecurity.
In this article, we will cover the following topics.
The Job Outlook for Cybersecurity Professionals
Cybercrime is estimated to cost the world more than $6 trillion per year by 2021. The disruptions to political processes and social media accounts have added to the fear of hackers. This has led to a record number of job openings for information security professionals.
This kind of expertise is needed in many industries. Cyber-attacks have increased in recent years, both in the political realm and in financial institutions and banks.
A 2016 survey found that banks suffer an average of 85 attempted data breaches each year. 36% of these attempts are successful in obtaining sensitive information.
The information-intensive healthcare industry has also expressed a need to increase its information security capabilities following the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack, a stunt that devastated national health services around the globe.
A quarter-million computers in over 150 countries were affected by the attack. The NHS, Telefonica Spain, America’s FedEx, Deutsche Bahn, and LATAM Airlines were all affected.
Due to the high amount of intellectual property, campus research and personal records of educational institutions, cyber attacks are on the rise. Just a few months back, the University of California, San Francisco was hit by a cyberattack.
Cybercriminals used NetWalker malware on June 1 to encrypt data stored on the servers at the school of medicine. Both students and faculty were informed that they would not be able to access their devices until payment in cryptocurrency.
The university had to pay $1.14M to retrieve its encrypted data. Those looking for a career in Cybersecurity will find plenty of opportunities.
Cybersecurity professionals are highly sought after. They can choose to specialize in a variety of specific areas.
Different types of Cybersecurity job titles
Cybersecurity is multifaceted. It includes individuals who specialize in different areas. You can explore the various titles that are associated with this field by checking out the following list.
1) Security Specialist
Many who are interested in a career as a cybersecurity specialist start by looking at becoming one. A bachelor’s degree is required for this entry-level job.
Information security specialists are responsible for protecting software and network security systems. They will monitor security updates and improve, monitor administrations, ensure all tools work properly and create specialized security requirements for the system.
The average national salary for Security Specialists in the United States is $111,052.
2) Incident Responder
Incident responders are trained to respond to emergencies and hacks of information. They respond quickly to cyberattacks and when the network or systems of an organization have been compromised.
They also have to prevent major attacks from occurring again. They should also be able to recognize vulnerabilities in networks or systems, supervise suspicious activity and run penetration tests.
They should create a system for spreading awareness in an emergency situation and relay all information to law enforcement. Also, it is vital to develop well-constructed incident reports and give them to the top management.
An average annual salary for a Cyber Incident Responder is $110,972.
3) Security Administrator
They are responsible for monitoring and installing security controls.
Security administrators need to take security measures such as monitoring traffic and suspicious activity, conducting audits, providing policy recommendations, protecting computers against illegal access, and creating recovery plans in the event of a breach.
The average salary for a Cyber Security Administrator is $91,661 per year in the United States.
4) Vulnerability assessor
Vulnerability assessors are another job that is on the cybersecurity list. They spend their time analyzing and searching for possible problems in information systems and computer networks. They can also make recommendations for businesses about improving their security systems.
They might also be required to write and describe vulnerability assessments, test for vulnerabilities using custom scripts and apps, and use creative strategies and techniques to highlight additional risks.
Security assessors earn an average salary of $90,000.
5) Cryptographer
Recent graduates may be referred to cryptography by job alerts. This area is responsible for creating algorithms and ciphers and security systems that use code. They must ensure that their scripts can protect data from unauthorized users, develop methods to prevent exposures, and ensure that critical information is not edited, copied, deleted, or altered.
They also test systems for vulnerabilities and analyze data to find solutions.
Average salaries for cryptographers are just over $73,000
6) Security Manager
They design and manage systems and assess the business or organization’s needs. They also need to test and fix any security holes in their systems.
In some regions of the United States, salaries for Cyber Security Managers can be as high as $138,690
7) Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
A Chief Information Security Officer is a leadership position in the field. They must oversee all defense policies, procedures, and procedures within their company. Some companies may require that applicants have a master’s degree in Cybersecurity.
They need to keep up-to-date on industry trends and how cybercriminals are acting. They should also be aware of all company decisions and offer security advice.
The average salary for Chief Information Security Officers in the USA is $221 601.
8) Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts need to analyze every policy and protocol for their company. They also need to conduct comprehensive audits of the company’s cybersecurity system to identify any weaknesses. They should also anticipate the future development of digital security crime and plan accordingly to protect against potential attacks.
Information security analysts make an average of $160,000 and $90,000.
9) Security auditor
They must also produce detailed reports about system performance as part of their risk management role. They also need to ensure that all records are protected with encryption and firewalls.
This position pays an average of $66,000.
10) Forensic Expert
They must review all security breaches and provide a perspective. They also need to train first responders in how to handle evidence, including portable drives and hard drives.
The average salary for a Computer Forensics Analyst is $100,063 per year in the United States.
11) Auditor for Source Code
This title requires that individuals holding it review the source code of any company’s applications or systems to identify security flaws or problems that could compromise its ability to defend against security threats. They must also be aware of the latest trends and technologies used by cybercriminals. This position requires a deep understanding of computer science.
Although the median salary for a security code auditor in America is $65,286, it can vary from $50,000 to $90,000.
12) Penetration Tester
You can also become a penetration tester with a cybersecurity degree. These hackers are also known as ethical hackers. They hack into computer systems to assess their security. These hackers must be able coders and will need to create reports detailing the results.
The average salary for a penetration tester is $84,690.
The skills required for a successful career in Cybersecurity
Every field requires a specific skill set, and cyber security is no exception. For a career in cyber security, there are many qualities that individuals need to have. For more information, see the following list.
1) Technical ability
It shouldn’t surprise that cyber security requires a deep understanding of technical issues. Everyday tasks will involve technical implementations, computer monitoring, forensics, and network monitoring.
2) Problem-Solving Skills
As cyber security specialists, they must find creative solutions for complex problems. It is also essential to find new ways to integrate technology into an existing security system.
3) Communication skills
Cyber security professionals must work together to prevent future attacks and solve security problems. They should be able to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the team their findings and analyses. They must also be comfortable sharing technical information with people of different skill levels.
Conclusion
It is not surprising that Cybersecurity is in constant evolution. Although no one knows for certain where the next cyber attack will occur or what technology it will require, there are many ideas about where the industry is heading.
Most industry insiders believe that artificial intelligence will increase the number of attempted cyberattacks. Cyber professionals must learn how to counteract AI corruption attacks and detect them.
Industry leaders are also becoming more concerned about cyber warfare. Future cybersecurity leaders can expect more companies to make their infrastructure more resistant to digital attacks.
Cybercriminals are on the rise. A study by Michel Cukier from the University of Maryland found that computer hacks occur on average every 39 seconds. They have impressive industry knowledge. They must continue to learn and improve their skills to do the same.
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