If you're interested in computers and you want to join a growing, lucrative industry, you may have wondered—is cybersecurity a good career? Cybersecurity professionals protect companies and customer information from malicious attacks. These IT professionals use protective software, hardware, and best practices to guard everything from private data to physical servers and networks.
Typical threats to cybersecurity include Malware, Viruses, Worms, Trojans, and Spyware. The steady occurrence of data breaches and attacks on sensitive and confidential information is making data protection a critical component of an organization's leadership and governance strategy.
There's a major skills gap in the cybersecurity industry and it's only expected to grow. This cybersecurity skills gap is what prompted Microsoft to launch an international skilling campaign to help the world's businesses fight off ever-advanced cyberattacks. With increasing technical demands and a shortage of qualified workers, it's clear that countless organizations are in need of cybersecurity professionals to help keep their company information safe.
Cybersecurity Salary
With so many businesses competing for top talent in today's employee-driven market combined with the preexisting cybersecurity skills gap, professionals in this line of work enjoy high wages and job security. The average salary for a Cybersecurity Professional is $102,600* and the projected number of job openings for Management Professionals is 19,500*.
*Information Security Analysts (O-NET OnLine 15-1212.00 National Trends), 2021. Salary ranges vary based on job experience.
What do Cybersecurity Professionals do?
IT security professionals plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. Their responsibilities are continually expanding as the number of cyberattacks increases. IT security analysts are heavily involved in creating their organization's disaster recovery plan, a procedure that IT employees follow in case of an emergency.Learn more about this and other promising job roles >>>
Cybersecurity Certification Programs
Cybersecurity professionals need to continue their education to stay in front of cybercriminals. Certification programs that are good for breaking into cybersecurity include:
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
Cybersecurity Job Titles
A cybersecurity job role can take many forms and be labeled in a variety of ways depending on the particular industry and organization. Common job titles to look for when searching for a management role are:
- Information Security Analyst
- Information Security Specialist
- Penetration Tester
- Security Architect
- Security Administrator
- Security Engineer
- Cybersecurity Consultant
- Network Security Engineer
- Chief Information Security Officer
- IT Auditor
- Cybersecurity Manager
Learn more about this and other promising job roles >>>
How To Become a Cybersecurity Specialist
The demand for cybersecurity specialists is higher than ever. Businesses need IT professionals who can secure the sensitive information of both the company and their customers and defend against outside threats. New Horizons offers hundreds of courses in cybersecurity and TONS of other IT job roles.
