Is a Job in Cyber Security Right For You?

A Job in Cyber Security Could Be Right For You

Considering a job in Cyber Security? You couldn’t have picked a better time. Emerging technologies like 5G, the Internet of Things, and cloud storage all present ways of enhancing our lives, but they also put our personal privacy at greater risk. With more of our sensitive information being shared online than ever before, cyber attacks are predicted to increase. For this reason, Cyber Security experts are in high demand and will play an increasingly important role in our society in the years to come.

Cyber Security is an umbrella term for a wide field with lots of different roles to fill. Within this single career path, you can find plenty of options in terms of jobs and employers. Additionally, Cyber Security provides lots of opportunities for growth within the same organization or at another. Unemployment for this career path is virtually non-existent and the pay is stellar. But, that doesn’t help you decide whether or not Cyber Security is the right career for you.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 7 signs that a job in Cyber Security may be right for you.

#1: You Want to Make a Difference

Want to use your tech talent for good and make a difference in the world? Cyber Security might just be the career for you.

Our digital society is greatly dependent on Cyber Security and the protection of our valuable data. For example, digital theft could cause a business to go bankrupt, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs. And, a hacking attempt on our government’s information systems could put millions of military personnel in danger.

Cyber attacks and hacking attempts not only affect big businesses, governments, and corporations but also can have devastating effects on the personal lives of citizens. A cyber attack on a local bank, for example, could result in the loss of people’s retirement funds and hard-earned savings. Or, identify theft could destroy one’s credit score and prevent them from getting a loan for a house or family vehicle.

By choosing a career in Cyber Security, you choose to administer justice in the digital world, which has a direct impact on the physical one.

#2: You Love a Challenge

When working as a Cyber Security expert, you’ll be going toe-to-toe with professional hackers from around the world and combatting sophisticated attacks on your IT systems. And, depending on where you work, the challenge will always be changing and evolving. For example, working at a bank or credit card company will pose different challenges than working for a social media company or tech giant.

As criminals grow in their knowledge and skills, so too will you. Protecting your clients from malicious hacking attempts requires you to know how cyber criminals think and what tools they possess. This means that you’ll never stop learning, nor will you be able to kick back and relax at the job. You’ll always be introduced to new scams, new hacking methods, and weaknesses in new technologies.

#3: You Value Career Advancement

Almost all of us are worried about getting stuck in a “dead-end” job where there’s no room to grow. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with Cyber Security. The field of Cyber Security is made up of many different positions with varying roles. By obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security and developing the core skills, you’ll have plenty of opportunities at your current employer.
When you first start out, you’ll likely begin in an entry-level position, such as Systems Administrator, Junior Penetration Tester, or Security Analyst. As you progress throughout your career and gain experience, you’ll be able to become a Cyber Security Engineer, which involves building systems to be resistant to cyber attacks.

#4: You Want More Opportunities

In addition to vertical growth, a career in Cyber Security can provide you with lots of horizontal growth, or the ability to change employers. At the moment, unemployment in Cyber Security is virtually zero, meaning that job seekers in this field almost always find a position. If at any time your current employer decides to let you go, you can rest assured that many other opportunities await you.

Furthermore, Cyber Security experts possess many in-demand skills that can be used in a variety of high-paying tech jobs. If you ever decide to change careers at some point in your life, the skills you developed in Cyber Security will serve you well in other places.

#5: You Thrive Under Pressure

When the stakes are high and everything is on the line, you have the ability to focus and make excellent decisions. The majority of your time will be spent planning and constructing systems that are resistant to hacking attempts. However, in the case that a breach occurs, you’ll be the first one they call to solve the mess.

Cyber Security experts are often the “first responders” in the event of a cyber attack and are tasked with resolving security breaches and quickly developing a plan of action. If you get an adrenaline rush when working under deadlines and high pressure, a job in Cyber Security may be a great choice for you.

#6: You Want a Great Salary

There’s a good chance that you’ve already read a few articles on the incredible salary that comes with a job in Cyber Security. For an entry-level position, such as Vulnerability Analyst, you can make an average of $100,000 per year. That’s not too bad considering that the median wage in the U.S. was just $47,060 per year.

#7: You Didn’t Start in Cyber Security

Did you know that you could get a job in Cyber Security, even if you didn’t graduate with a degree in the field? As long as you have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, you can pursue a job in Cyber Security.

Additionally, you can still obtain a job in Cyber Security if you have been working in a different career path. According to CompTIA, the fields of networking, software development, systems engineering, finance and risk analysis, and security intelligence are all “feeder” roles that prepare you for Cyber Security. Therefore, you can switch over from these fields with some additional job training and preparation.

Conclusion

Searching for a lucrative, challenging, and meaningful career? Cyber Security is the first place you should look. If you’ve just graduated from high school and are about to start your college journey, find a “Powered by Woz U” university near you and learn more about our Cyber Security program. And, if you’ve already begun your degree program or career in a Computer Science or IT-related field, have no fear. Cyber Security jobs are open to applicants from a wide variety of disciplines, even to finance and security experts.

Interested in learning more about our Cyber Security and how to get started? Head on over to the official Woz U blog.