Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand these days than ever before. But what has caused this dramatic rise? Well, the government as well as different businesses are struggling to keep their systems secure from cyberattacks that have gotten much more sophisticated over the years.
Cybercriminals are using smart ways to infiltrate into the system of their preys to steal valuable data and trade secrets which is costing businesses millions of dollars. In the last two years, the importance of cybersecurity experts has surged by several folds. Companies are now openly advertising to hire cybersecurity experts whether it’s an e-commerce or an ISP like my Cox cable.
You will be surprised to know that the U.S. News & World Report placed Information Security Analyst at the fifth spot on its list of the Best Technology Job in 2019. Companies offer impressive salaries to such experts along with attractive perks. This makes it hard for anyone not to think of becoming a cybersecurity professional.
Choosing A Career Path
If you are interested in becoming a cybersecurity expert, then the first thing that you would want to do is to see which career path is right for you. And speaking of career paths, there are two options for you that you should know of before you invest in training and education. Let’s have a look at both choices:
1. Operations & Leadership Path
This is the first route. If you want to go this path then remember that you will need to have a diverse skillset. Also, you will need to have strong leadership capabilities and a proper understanding of information technology processes and systems. And don’t forget that thorough knowledge of cybersecurity is a must. Here are some of the top jobs for you to consider if you wish to pursue this path.
- Global Information Security Director
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Cyber security Consultant
- Penetration Tester
- Cybersecurity Specialist
These are just a few of them. There are a lot more jobs that you can consider applying to! It is advised to do your research before you make your final decision.
2. Engineering Route
This is the second route that you can choose. This path is ideal for those who have engineering experience and take a keen interest in making a secure system to protect it from different threats. Here are some of the jobs if you want to go this path:
- Cybersecurity Architect
- Cybersecurity Engineer
- Lead Software Security Engineer
How to Launch Your Career in Cybersecurity
Now that you know which two routes are available to you to become a cybersecurity expert, let’s have a look at some ways that can help you start your career in this field.
Focus on Education
You have to have a degree in cybersecurity to even think about pursuing a career in this field. And if you have that along with some experience in information security, then you will have a lot of options to explore. You can start with an undergraduate degree in information degree and then do your master’s in information technology or cybersecurity operations and leadership. This will certainly increase your worth in the eyes of employers and they will be willing to hire you for higher-level positions.
Do A Certification Course
Apart from earning a degree, you should also do a certification course. You can do your certification in a specific subject that you are most interested in. Some of the popular cybersecurity certifications are as follows:
- CISA
- CISM
- CEH
- GIAC
Network
Networking is important not just in cybersecurity but in every industry. There are different avenues available if you are searching for networking opportunities and a couple of them are listed below:
- Get into a cybersecurity organization voluntarily. There are different companies that let individuals work with them. So, take this opportunity and join them.
- Become a part of the local cybersecurity orgs like the San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence.
Conclusion
There are many organizations that actively search for cybersecurity experts so they can better protect their assets. There is a lot of room to grow and progress in this field. Therefore, if you are interested in information technology, then you can think about becoming a cybersecurity professional. After all, this is one field that will lead you to a happy and bright future.
