The world is in its most digitized era. Living in a digital world exposes you to data breaches, hackers, and cyber threats. Cyberattacks not only put individual users and organizations at risk but could jeopardize the political standing of a government. As a result, organizations, from multinational corporations to government authorities, seek cybersecurity professionals willing to compensate generously.
There has been an increased demand for cybersecurity measures, with numerous data breaches and leaks in the past couple of years. As a result, the need for cybersecurity professionals has increased the number of schools offering a relevant degree, and many students are eager to take it up as a career choice.
Despite its apparent fame, cybersecurity as a career and academic choice is met with skepticism. People are not sure whether this is the right career choice for them. Furthermore, since it is a new and growing field, it's not as known as the field of software development or graphic design. Chances are you landed on this blog post because you wanted to clear your doubts regarding a degree or career in cybersecurity. Look no further; here are six reasons you should consider studying cybersecurity.
6 Reasons Why Pursuing a Career in Cyber Security?
1. Cybersecurity professionals are in demand
Unlike other career options that got severely hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, IT careers and professionals have been highly in demand. There are thousands of companies, IT and other, as well as governmental organizations looking for cybersecurity professionals. The pandemic forced every sector and organization to switch to an online mode of work which exposed sensitive data and employees to cyber threats and attacks. Therefore, the demand for professionals in cyber security management has increased. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 28% growth in cybersecurity careers by 2026. Surprisingly, the growth rate is higher than the overall job growth rate in the US. In addition, many organizations and jobs have become automated. The increase in automation has increased the risk of cyberattacks, thereby increasing the need for cybersecurity measures and professionals. Therefore, choosing this career path means there are endless job opportunities.
2. Cybersecurity is an evergreen industry
The IT revolution of the 21st century has created a range of opportunities for individual users and business organizations. However, the increased internet usage has proven cybersecurity vital for a safe online experience. Considering its growth and expansion as a subsector of the IT industry, cybersecurity is a viable career choice. With recent interventions like Data Science, Big Data, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), cybersecurity will be in more demand. Since the industry is evergreen and likely here to stay, so is the possibility of finding work as a cybersecurity professional. Working in an evergreen industry with countless job opportunities brings stability and mental peace.
3. Cybersecurity is a fulfilling career
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, there were more than 1800 data breaches reported in 2021, surpassing the record of 2020 and the years earlier. Each year, the dependence on technology and the internet is increasing, and so is the need to protect users and organizations online from threats and attacks. As a cybersecurity professional, you would be at the forefront of the movement or workforce working to protect people from cyber attackers and malicious threats. Cyberattacks compromise confidentiality and integrity and make users lose trust and interest in the online space and its effectiveness. You and millions of other cybersecurity professionals can protect these vulnerable users from spyware, ransomware, scams, and attacks. The feeling of being a part of a greater cause like this is fulfilling and rewards you in many other ways than just monetarily.
4. Job security and a high salary
Considering we're living in a digitized world, the cybersecurity industry is evergreen. The job opportunities might not be endless, but they offer security and stability, unlike many other career paths. The demand for cybersecurity professionals is more than the supply since we are at an increased risk of cyber threats and attacks. The high demand guarantees job security. Since cybersecurity jobs require mastering technical skills, employers are willing to pay high salaries. According to Indeed.com, the average salary for an IT security specialist is $96,152. On the other hand, mid-career cybersecurity professionals make upwards of $300,000 per year. Not only are companies looking for new cybersecurity professionals, but they are also ready to offer the highest compensation and other benefits to retain employees.
5. Range of specialties
Years ago, cybersecurity may have existed as a standalone career option. But now, it has subfields that you can specialize in. Previously cybersecurity was a part of the IT industry; however, now, it is a subsector. Cybersecurity has specialization fields like governance, forensics, risk management, compliance, and engineering. What's even better for folks who don't enjoy complex mathematical working is that cybersecurity isn't a math-intensive field. However, it does require some understanding of mathematical and analytical concepts. Given its range of subfields, you can choose what seems best for you. For example, instead of perfecting your knowledge of mathematical concepts required for careers like machine learning, you can focus on other areas like project management and data communications.
6. Work from anywhere in the world
Almost any career or job within the IT industry is geographically mobile and flexible. Since all you need for a tech career is the internet, along with some technical gear, you can work practically from anywhere in the world. Although the pandemic introduced us to remote working, it existed within the IT and cybersecurity sectors even before 2020. Many cybersecurity experts choose to work from home, either at corporations with flexible remote working options or as freelancers.
Conclusion:
Data breaches and cyberthreats are unlikely to stop, given the fast pace of technology and our dependence on it. There is no better time than now to invest in cybersecurity training or a master's program. The industry is still growing. The rift in the demand and supply of cybersecurity professionals makes it a lucrative academic and career path.
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