The demand for Infosec professionals is skyrocketing. Thanks to the so-called skills gap in IT — which has led to a glut of positions but lack of trained professionals — combined with the rising number of data breaches and privacy issues faced by businesses on a daily basis, Infosec professionals are quickly becoming hot-ticket items. As noted by CSO Online, recent projections show top-level software security engineers will likely out-earn even chief security officers (CSOs) as companies race to find great talent and defend their data.
What does this mean for you, the IT professional looking to take a security career to the next level? That it's the ideal time to get in on the ground floor, leverage existing expertise while making yourself an even more attractive candidate with advanced security training. Here's a look at how the right certifications can amp up your career.
Big Options
When it comes to advanced Infosec training, you've got options. A number of reputable, highly regarded certification agencies now offer courses such as advanced penetration testing, malware reverse engineering (MRE), mobile security design and security incident response training (to name a few). The result is that you're able to customize training courses to the position of your choice: Interested in malware? Learn the telltale signs of infection, how to counter emerging threats and reverse engineer code to benefit your organization. Looking to get in at the frontier of security development? Opt for mobile training and help discover new ways to safeguard smartphones, tablets and the increasing number of devices that make up the Internet of Things (IoT).
Getting In
Infosec training pays big dividends. As noted by a recent Dell piece, the unemployment rate for information security professionals is effectively zero, but entry-level IT jobs still come with some competition — and big firms won't give you a CSO-rivaling salary without any other relevant industry experience, even if you've just completed some of the country's top security courses. These Infosec certifications, however, put you head and shoulders above other applicants looking to get their foot in the door and start an IT career. Bottom line? You get big points for extra, highly sought-after qualifications.
Powering Up
What happens when it's time for your first review? Chances are you're looking for a raise and more responsibility; if you've got an ethical hacking or post-exploitation hacking course under your belt, you're in a much better position to negotiate for a bigger salary and take on higher-profile tasks. What's more, you've got demand on your side: If your current employer isn't willing to play ball there are five others waiting in line to snatch up your skills.
The Long Game
Take a look at the bio of any high-profile Infosec professional and you'll see a wealth of experience: multiple companies, multiple positions and highly diverse training. By opting for advanced security training you're building a long-term skill set that holds you in good stead regardless of industry or business aim. Put simply? Security training doesn't just get your foot in the door — it provides a bankable asset for the length of your career.
Time to take your career to the next level? Go advanced and amp up your potential prospects.
Ariana
