Is Cyber Security A Good Career Path?
By Ankita Tripathy
07 September, 2024
Technology
Last Updated on: September 12th, 2024
The field of cybersecurity is evolving besides the threats that loom large in the digital landscape. Let’s understand the fear of cyber threats and the need for cyber security with data.
Statista observed that cybercrime is all set to increase by 6.4 Trillion USD between 2024 and 2029.
So, you must understand the gravity of the threat online.
Some fraudsters with malicious intentions are waiting to steal your personal and other important data, which can cause havoc to your career and life at large.
Here, the cybersecurity measures that could counter it evolved. Also, with this development unleashed thousands of job opportunities.
Are you searching for a cyber security career path?
Yes, you too can be a soldier in this battle and choose a cyber security career path to secure yourself and thousands online.
There are challenges, but believe us, it’s a fascinating and, most importantly, highly rewarding career But the question is: Is cyber security a good career path? Let’s try to understand it in this article.
Demand For Cyber Security Positions
We reiterate that there is a high demand for a career path in cybersecurity. Statista again! According to May 2024 data, the ratio of security workers to job openings is 82%. It denotes, that there are only enough workers in the USA to fill the positions. Washington, DC ranks at the top with 96 figure at present.
Though the figures leave the readers in the clouds of vagueness, there is no doubt the demand, though a little down, in the sectors at present, persists in the market, meaning there are ample opportunities for you to explore this field. So, it would help if you searched for a career path in cyber security.
What Is A Cyber Security Career Path? Challenges And Opportunities
Today, in every sphere of life where there is the presence of software and activities of internet networks, there is an alarming threat of cybercrime and the need for cyber security. Let’s give a very common example.
You and millions of others use the best home automation systems.
You can control the temperature with the help of the best smart home apps.
Additionally, we use technology at the back end that connects data continuously in the cloud and web servers. Hence, data security remains a threat and challenge.
Moreover, there is every chance that our sensitive information, like passwords, credit card information, and bank account details, can be stolen.
The developers and customers of the Alexa compatible devices have no other choice but to use cybersecurity services on IOT devices.
The domains invite the best of brains like you to take up positions and build a great career. But yes….there are Himalayan challenges, let’s say with clarity.
However, in a cyber security career, you could play several roles in diverse areas:
- We are Educating employees in an organization about cybersecurity threats (password management, social engineering, and others).
- Developing a potent response against the imminent attack.
- Keeping all the business IT credentials with regular updates in the software and mending the system patches (IT security team in an organization).
- Creating security roles.
- Installing the right authentication and security controls.
- Finally, test and evaluate home security-based products.
The opportunities in cyber security career paths are quite diverse.
Is Cyber security A Good Career Path? Pros And Cons Of Cybersecurity Career
Is cyber security a good career path? Yes, we have come to the main sections where we try to understand if cyber security is a good pathway using pros and cons. This can help you find the answer to your questions. Hence, let us find the answer to this question in this section of the article.
1. Robust Compensation
You can earn handsomely as cybersecurity professional in a digital workspace.
Trillions of dollars ($8 trillion of cyber fraud damage in 2023) damage rattle business organizations. So, if you are engaged in security, it’s quite natural the company will pay you higher than other tech roles in the company to get them protected online.
2. A Potentially Future-Proof Career
Technology has changed dramatically over the days, and it will continue to do so. But the dark shadow under the light is cyber fraud.
But again, as you might have heard, there is a silver lining after every cloud. Hence, you generally expect an ongoing demand for cybersecurity jobs.
3. Availability Of Cybersecurity Jobs
According to a report published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) prediction, the information security roles will observe a 32% growth between 2022 and 2030.
This decadal growth prospect is enough to elevate the attention of thousands aspiring to work in this sector and shape their career path in cyber security.
4. Where There Are Threats, There Are Opportunities
The domain of cybersecurity, as we discussed above, is evolving. bad players are waiting to pounce and create damage. However, the threats carry with them the boon in the form of new job opportunities.
Cons
As we discussed above, the cyber security career path both positives and negatives. We have listed the positives, but it’s time to discuss the gray areas: the areas of concern.
1. Continual Change In The Realm
My fascination with the Cybersecurity realm is raised by Hollywood movies to me, you, and all of us . Yes, you may derive the fun and excitement from the constant battle with fraudsters.
But the world of reality is never sweet and romantic; daily data entry jobs can be boring and routine tasks with time. It will take time to reach the place with a high level of challenge and excitement.
2. The Element Of Unpredictability
You may spend plenty of time monitoring the vulnerabilities. But, things may go wrong at anything as the fraudulent elements develop alongside.
However, cybersecurity career jobs require you to adapt to the problems as early as possible. This is the fear attached to the realm.
Top Cybersecurity Jobs
What is the career path for cyber security? Yes, not only you; thousands aspire to build their career in cyber security.
Just because the stakes are quite high, there are opportunities too with this very development.
However, some of the jobs in the sector are the highest paying. Let us look at them to understand it thoroughly.
1. Director Information Security: A Glorious Cyber Security Career Pathway
The director of information security in an organization is brimmed with responsibility. The person assuming the role must ensure the information assets’ safety.
The professional usually keeps a birds-eye on everyday operations and the apparatus, which is sensitive.
Additionally, they are also responsible for creating strategies and responding to cyberattacks.
Whenever they find even the slightest hint of cyber incursion, they are responsible for chilling out exactly what is to be done. The salary range of the post in the USA ranges between $154082 to 229,257.
2. Chief Information Security Officer: Exciting Cyber Security Career Pathway
This is also one of the professional job responsibilities in cyber security, which gets a high salary.
These professionals oversee the company’s security operations.
A CISO works to avoid security threats and bring down the risks of data breaches in the organization. Side by side, they are the ones at the helm of affairs who frame policies to protect organizational data.
Moreover, these professionals assess the imminent cyber threats and figure out which ones are important to the organization.
However, to get into the position, you must earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in the relevant domains.
However, the professional’s annual salary is between $ 192,085 to $304,391.
3. Application Security Engineer
When you discuss the cyber security career pathway, you can not but have to bring this one into your discussion.
These highly trained professionals ensure that the organizations run applications with utmost safety and security. This move will narrow down the chance of a cyber attack on your system.
They work beside the teams of application security engineers, website development, and maintenance teams to devise security control measures. They also take responsibility for pinpointing security vulnerabilities.
A bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in the relevant field are a must for this individual to attain. They also need to earn proficiency in different programming languages.
Cyber Security: A Good Pathway
You have observed in the study that there is an increasing demand for cybersecurity experts in the USA but globally. There are diverse opportunities and responsibilities you may have to take. This also unfolds many, many opportunities in the realm.
But at the same time, the challenges are quite big in this realm as technology is evolving with every passing day. But if you look closely at the beam balance where, at one end, there are challenges and threats, at the other end, there are opportunities. You will see that opportunity triumphs clearly.
Yes, posts like application security engineer and chief information security officer allow you to earn handsomely. These are just a couple of high-paying jobs.
Apart from these, there are many opportunities at the lower levels, which also provide you with a respectable income. Hence, there is an excellent opportunity if you have the right knowledge and skills. The Organizations await you with opportunities galore!
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