Why a career in cybersecurity will secure your future?

There has never been a better time to consider a career in cybersecurity. As per a report, there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally by 2021. A survey predicted that 100% of large companies globally will have a CISO position. The cybersecurity unemployment rate is 0% and is projected to remain there through 2021 and the worldwide cybersecurity market will reach $170.4 billion in 2022.

Going by the reports and statistics, this is a golden time for someone who wants to build a secure career, as the future is reassuring for cybersecurity with incredible opportunities.

In-demand job roles in cybersecurity

The varied Cyber Security job roles are spread across industries and organizations. There are both technical as well as non-technical job roles to choose from. There will be many opportunities for you based on your qualification and the certification. Starting from entry-level to advanced-level, you can choose a job role as per your interest. Here are the top 8 in-demand Cyber Security jobs in 2020 on LinkedIn:

Ethical Hacker
Information Security Analyst
Penetration Tester/Vulnerability Analyst
Digital Forensic Analyst
Security Software Developer
Chief Information Security Officer
Network Engineer/Security Architect
Incident Handler

Ethical Hacker- There is a huge demand for Ethical Hackers. As per a job listing, there were more than 6,597 Ethical Hacker job openings. As an Ethical Hacker, you will be responsible for the verification and improvement of your organization’s computer system. You would be conducting advanced penetration tests to identify security breaches or threats. To build a career as an Ethical Hacker, you should have a Bachelor’s degree (BSc, BTech, BE, BCA) in Information Technology or Computer Science. You can also choose Ethical Hacking as your profession if you have an advanced diploma in network security or relevant technology.

Information Security Analyst- If you wish to build a career as an Information Security Analyst, you will be responsible for the monitoring of your organization’s networks. You would be looking out for any traces of security breaches and investigating any violation. You will also be responsible for the installation and use of software to protect sensitive information. You should have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. For the entry-level security analyst role, companies are looking for professionals with one to five years of on-the-job experience in a related role. There are currently around 14,000 Information Security Analyst jobs openings in India.

Penetration Tester/Vulnerability Analyst- Penetration Testers perform penetration tests on applications, computers and networks of the organization. As a Penetration Tester, you will be responsible to create new testing methods to identify the vulnerability of the network. You will be identifying areas which require protection through security assessments of systems, servers and networks. Most of the Penetration Testing jobs require bachelor’s or master’s degrees in cybersecurity, computer science, or IT. However, if you have relevant hacking skills and work experience, there will be no need for you to have a specialized degree. As per a jobsite, there are more than 6,597 Penetration Tester jobs in our country

Digital Forensic Analyst- The job description of a Digital Forensic Analysts includes an examination of computers and other digital devices for any evidence of security breach. As a Digital forensic analyst, you will provide support to civil criminal investigations related to cyber-attacks and security breaches. To build a career in this, you need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field such as digital forensics, computer forensics, or computer security.

Security Software Developer- As the name suggests, you will be developing security software for organizations. You will also integrate security into software during design and development. As experienced security software developers, you will look at software designs from a security perspective in order to identify and resolve security issues. Security Software Developers are in huge demand as top companies are looking to hire the right person with the required skills.

Chief Information Security Officer- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) works to minimize cyber threats through strategic measures. It is a C-level management role. As a CISO you will be responsible for IT, information and Data security of an entire organization. To build a career as a CISO, you might need a Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Computer Science, IT or a Cyber-Security related field. Relevant work experience as well as a Master’s Degree would be helpful for senior-level roles.

Network Engineers- Network Engineers review current system security measures of an organization. They recommend and implement enhancements in the organization’s network security as a requirement. As a Network Engineer, you will conduct regular system tests and ensure continuous monitoring of network security.

Incident handlers- Incident handlers handle the situation after a cyber attack. As an Incident Handler, you will plan, manage, coordinate and communicate with others to minimise the after-effects of an incident. Bachelor’s or master’s degrees in computer forensics, cybersecurity, or a related field is desirable. You can also gain your expertise by taking up professional certification courses. It is one of the most in-demand job roles on LinkedIn and has around 15,000 job openings.

Must have skills for a cybersecurity professional

With the increase in cyber attacks, organizations are investing heavily in cybersecurity. To safeguard their important files and data, companies are looking to hire professionals with the right skill set. However, 82% of employers have reported a shortage of cybersecurity skills and 61% of companies think that their cybersecurity applicants aren’t qualified enough. While there is a huge demand, the acute shortage of skilled professionals needs immediate attention.

So, if you wish to build a career in this technology, you must do it right. You should have a clear idea regarding the most sought-after technical as well as other important skills in a Cyber Security professional.

Technical skills

Programming Languages- C, C++, Python, PHP, JavaScript, SQL
Cloud Security
Blockchain Security
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
IoT Security

Soft skills

Leadership
Teamwork
Critical Thinking
Problem-solving Skills
Communication Skills

While most companies prefer a Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Computer Science, IT or a cybersecurity related field, it is not mandatory. You can build your cybersecurity expertise through professional certifications as well and it will hold the same value.

The advanced certification program in cyber security and cyber defence is well-designed for current and aspiring professionals who are keen to explore the latest trends in cybersecurity. If you are one of the aspiring professionals, then you must start building your skills right away through these advanced courses. The courses are a combination of theory and practical which will allow you to master in-demand skills and build world-class expertise. You just need to choose the right course that meets your requirements and get started.

Also read: 18 Million Covid-19 themed phishing emails go around each day – What does this mean to you? https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/18-million-covid-19-themed-phishing-emails-go-around-each-day/

With millions of job opportunities, the future of cybersecurity is reassuring. A career in cybersecurity is a career of tomorrow and is a very lucrative one. It is one of the most popular career choices despite the complexities. A career in cybersecurity will transform your future.