A career in cybersecurity - how viable in 2020?

Did you know that every 3 seconds a new malware is being created which intends to find a victim and lead to damage (usually for the attackers financial gain) of some scale? That’s rather frightening! With new internet users each day and more businesses running their operations completely online, cyber attacks are becoming more frequent and more harmful than ever. You may be looking at a career within cybersecurity and wondering whether it’s a viable option in the year of 2020.

Let’s begin by talking about how much the Coronavirus is going to affect internet users. Already, people are flocking to the internet to read the latest about the virus both in their area and globally. This includes people who may not have used the internet before. Immediately this suggests there is going to be a much larger need for those that can help people stay safe on the internet. Here are some jobs within cybersecurity to consider:

Network Architect

The network architect has a focus on building communication networks, often things like LANs and WANs so that computers can contact each other.

Systems Engineer

Where the cyber security engineer crafts the walls and safeguards of data systems, they also ensure the systems still function at peak performance for business. A systems engineer may not have direct dealings with cyberattacks, but they are the ones that ensure that recovery and structure do not falter.

Software Developer

The software developer acts as a foundation for all the previous job positions and even has flexibility outside of cyber security. The software developer crafts software that eradicates cyber attack viruses, bolsters server defenses, or monitors data.

Ethical Hacker

Ethical hackers are certified security professionals who are licensed by the hiring organisation to penetrate their security infrastructure and find system vulnerabilities such as cyber attackers or evidence that the system may be in breach. They are often referred to as white hat hackers.

Skills

Like with many careers, there are skills you need as well as the knowledge and qualifications:

Analytical Skills - being able to quickly and professionally analyse situations and threats is essential within this industry.

Team Leading Skills - the needs and demands of the industry will need you to be able to take over the team if needs be and act accordingly.

Communicative - fast and effective communication is key with cybersecurity. The risk of losing valuable and confidential information needs to be in the hands of someone who can communicate well.

Learning Spirit - cybersecurity is an ever-evolving industry and you will need to learn on the job.

With many companies now setting their employees up to work from home, the need for cybersecurity knowledge widens even further. Not just for setting up laptops and computers for home use either - companies will need someone who can:

• Teach their staff to stay safe online, especially on their network at home.
• Maintain current systems
• Data monitoring

Even before COVID-19 hit, the need for job roles to be filled in cyber security was very large. Studies suggest that the global IT security workforce needs to grow by almost 150% to keep up with the needs and demands of the industry, and that in 2021, there will be 3.5 million jobs unfulfilled in the UK alone!

The salary

Another thing worth mentioning is the kind of salary you’re going to be earning - a very important factor to look into if you’re looking at a new kind of career. Mid-sized organisations around the globe are paying upwards of £120,000 a year for someone with the right kind of skills. But, like with almost any other skill out there, the more knowledge you have and the more valuable you are to a company, the higher salary you can expect. These job titles are often the most heavily in demand and the highest paid:

• Security Analyst

• Security Engineer or Architect

• Security/IT Director or Manager

• Systems Administrator

• Network Architect or Engineer

• Forensic Investigator

• Auditor

• Systems Engineer or Integrator

Conclusion

The great news is that more and more giant companies are hiring a cybersecurity team to handle their assets safely. So, if you’re looking to enter or expand your career within the industry, then now is a better time than ever!