The cyber security job outlook depends on companies who decide to expand their IT departments or refine their procedures. Luckily for those skilled or experienced in cyber security (also called “cybersecurity”), this job field shows no signs of slowing. Over the next decade, information tech and cybersecurity positions, including analysts, managers, engineers, and others have high projected outlooks.
Read on to learn about cybersecurity jobs, what they are, and why their outlook exceeds that of other jobs. Whether you plan on entering the field or hiring into it for your company, knowledge of cybersecurity can make or break your chances. Here’s the essential information you need to get started.
What is a Cyber Security Job?
Cybersecurity refers to many disciplines combined into one job. This job assesses a company’s security framework, manages its systems, and therefore needs expertise in how to respond to breaches as well.
Modern cyber criminals know that companies increasingly store more data on their networks, as well as process consumer and employee information. This makes them goldmines for clever hackers, who know how systems protect information and how to bypass those protections. Thus, cybersecurity specialists learn these methods, stay up to date on network protocols, and design systems to fight against hackers.
This involves many stages. They have to build or assess a company’s pre-existing network, as well as manage their IT departments. This makes cybersecurity a skill that combines computer science with business administration. Both come in handy as you gain experience in this competitive field.
Once cybersecurity specialists assess a network, they work with managers and IT department heads to run audits, assess weaknesses, and create contingencies. That said, cybersecurity specialists need expertise in programming languages, management, firewall construction, network security, and other specialized skills.
Cyber Security Job Outlook
Companies require cybersecurity in proportion to how much they rely on their network. Breaches have become more and more expensive as they increasingly rely on their systems to acquire, process, and store sensitive data. These even include sensitive company processes.
Therefore, cybersecurity jobs have a projected outlook that surpasses most fields, with 31% growth expected in the next decade. That equates to nearly 41,000 new cybersecurity hires for an average education level of only a bachelor’s degree.
For those considering entering this field, that knowledge should be exciting. However, cybersecurity requires more experience than education. Important requirements include knowledge of current network security standards, coding languages, incident detection and response experience, and management experience.
The Takeaway
In closing, the Cyber security job outlook puts most career opportunities to shame. With a projected outlook exceeding 30% growth in the next decade, cybersecurity professionals have a good chance of landing jobs with the right education and experience.
Use this brief guide to get up to speed on the basic requirements and experience employers will be looking for. Cybersecurity job outlook promises growth, but only for those who put in the hours. Companies value their security as a major asset these days and the right candidate can capitalize on that need with a career in one of the most lucrative industries on the market today.
