The field of cybersecurity has spent quite a lot of time in the spotlight this year. As cybercrime rates shot up, businesses relied on cybersecurity professionals more than ever. Maybe you’ve seen this happen and thought you might enjoy a career in IT security.
Pursuing a career in cybersecurity can be both fulfilling and profitable. Whether you realize it or not, this field is crucial to any company in any industry. As the world relies more on technology, that will only become more true.
Why You Should Consider a Career in Cybersecurity
The world needs cybersecurity workers, so much so that there’s a 0% unemployment rate in the field. After this year and all of its security incidents, cybersecurity professionals will be in even higher demand. If you have the right skills and education, you’re almost guaranteed a job.
Job availability isn’t the only thing on the upswing for IT security workers. One report found that 70% of organizations are expanding their cybersecurity budget. That shift could translate into salary bumps in an already well-paying field.
Pursuing a job in cybersecurity could mean respectable wages, job security, and fulfilling work. There are also various positions you can follow, so you can find something no matter your interest or expertise. Here are five possible cybersecurity jobs that might interest you.
1. Chief Information Security Officer
Chief information security officers (CISOs) are at the top of the cybersecurity ladder. These are executives that oversee all of a company’s security infrastructure. While this is a relatively new position, 50 to 70% of large companies have a dedicated CISO today.
Since it’s an executive position, you probably can’t get a CISO job right out of college. You’ll have to work in the industry for some time, building experience and a reputation. It’s an excellent goal to pursue though, as CISOs make $179,763 a year on average.
2. IT Security Consultant
A more entry-level cybersecurity position you could consider is being an IT security consultant. As a security consultant, you’d guide a company’s security measures and assist any employees. Some consultants are permanent workers within a business while others perform contract work.
Being an IT security consultant is about flexibility, providing general support in various situations. Despite being a more entry-level job, security consultants earn an average of $81,279 a year. If you don’t have any specific focus in mind and like variety, this could be a good fit.
3. Security Analyst
When you think of a career in cybersecurity, you probably picture a security analyst. These workers help plan and implement security protocols, often as part of a team. Your day-to-day work as an analyst will involve lots of monitoring for threats and fixing issues that come up.
This is front-line cybersecurity work with applications in a vast range of industries. You could keep whistleblower identities safe working for a government agency or fend off cyberattacks at a small tech start-up. You could also earn $76,410 a year or more.
4. Security Architect
If you prefer the programming side of things, you may consider a job as a security architect. Security architects are the people that design a company’s cybersecurity systems. This job is one that involves a lot of complex problem solving and managerial skills.
Since cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field, the work of a security architect never gets dull. As cybercriminals find new ways to infiltrate old systems, you’ll have to discover how to counter them. There’s a lot of responsibility involved here, but that comes with a $106,362 salary on average.
5. Penetration Tester
A decidedly untraditional job in cybersecurity you might enjoy is being a penetration tester. Also called “ethical hackers,” penetration testers try to hack into a company’s security system to see how safe it is. Businesses will hire you to put their defenses to the test and recommend any changes.
Penetration testing is increasingly crucial as cybercrime keeps advancing, so this field will see considerable growth. Some experts say the penetration testing market will grow by almost $3 billion in the next five years. You’ll need significant hacking expertise to work as a penetration tester, but the average salary is $69,123 a year, and some earn six figures.
The World of Cybersecurity Is Full of Opportunities
These five jobs are just a sampling of the various cybersecurity career options there are. If you have a passion for computers and want a secure, well-paying job, consider a career in cybersecurity. The industry will only grow from here.
Cybersecurity is not an easy field, but it’s a rewarding one. Given today’s security risks, it’s never been more promising, either. The future is bright for cybersecurity workers.
