Cybersecurity is a domain that has more positions vacant than the number of qualified professionals available for various roles. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of Cybersecurity jobs to grow by 33% between the period 2020 and 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic period is witnessing a huge spike in security breaches across the globe. That means due to the pandemic, the need for qualified professionals in securing systems and devices from cybercriminals who are performing ever more illegal activities.
With time, the Cybersecurity domain is becoming more specialized. It’s creating more varied and unique roles and opportunities within the field for professionals looking to advance their careers. With each new technology, a new set of security issues and vulnerabilities pop up, and again it needs professionals who have got additional skill sets. If you are an experienced security professional within the cloud domain, I highly recommend you check out this CCSP Course to help you check out.
Starting point
Being a beginner in the Cybersecurity domain, it’s better to start from an entry-level IT role like a technician, software developer, network administrator, etc. Many professionals within this domain as Information Security Analyst after earning work experience within the IT domain.
It’s important to develop skills related to the Cybersecurity domain that includes basic skills like network and systems administration, programming, and cloud computing. Aiming for a great career in Cybersecurity, and pursuing training might help you get a job quickly.
Top 5 career paths for Information Security Analyst
There are many directions within the domain that an individual could be interested in, one might be interested in incident response, or be thrilled to optimize their hacking skills. Let’s understand the different ways within Cybersecurity to advance your career:
Engineering and architecture
Being a Security Engineer, you will be using threats and vulnerabilities in building and implementing defense systems against a wide range of security issues. A Security Architect is a professional responsible for an entire organization’s security infrastructure. You must develop critical thinking, IT networking, System administration, and Risk assessment.
Incident Response
Being an Incident Responder, your job is to monitor your organization’s network, fix any vulnerabilities, and minimize security loss due to breaches. To advance to this role you must be attentive to detail, skilled in intrusion detection tools, and forensic software, and good at technical writing and documentation.
Management and administration
Being a Cybersecurity Manager, you must oversee an organization’s network and computer security systems. You can advance from this role to become a CISO (Chief Information Security Officer). You must develop project management, risk management, leadership, and collaboration skills. Check out this CCSP Tutorial for Beginners to help you get started in the preparation for CCSP.
Consulting
Being a Security Consultant, you must test a company’s computer and network systems for any vulnerabilities or security issues. You must develop penetration and vulnerability testing, operating systems, encryption, threat management skills.
Testing and Hacking
You can become a Pentester, as you will be identifying and exploiting system vulnerabilities in helping organizations build enhanced security systems. You must develop pentesting, computer networking, scripting, and cryptography skills to be able to advance in this field within the Cybersecurity domain.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity domain is trending today within many specialized roles meeting various complex and sophisticated needs of companies suiting individual company’s requirements. Upskill in this domain to fetch high paying jobs in the current market.