While the arrival of the internet has undoubtedly been of a great benefit to humanity no-one can deny that it has its downsides too. This is because a by-product of its interconnectivity and information sharing is that it can expose users to breaches of cyber security.
To give an idea of the scale of the problem, it’s estimated that the global cost of cyber crime in 2022 will be a staggering $7 trillion – so if this represented a national economy it would be the third largest in the world.
All kinds of businesses are at threat from attacks which may have various motivations. In some they are held to ransom with IT networks disabled until the required fee is paid. In others the objective is to steal valuable data held by the organisation about both itself and its customers.
There are also a couple of factors that are putting the companies at greater risk than ever. The first is the amount of data stored in the cloud. The second are the changing work patterns of today with more employees working remotely. This creates potential cracks in networks through which hackers and cyber criminals can find a way in.
To counter these vulnerabilities, and others, there is a great drive to train and introduce more cyber security professionals into the workforce as lack of suitably-qualified applicants is an issue that tech companies face, along with the many other issues confronting them today.
According to US Bureau of Labour predictions there will be a 31% growth in the number of jobs in cyber security by 2029, compared with 4% on average across other sectors. Already, there is a 0% unemployment rate amongst cyber security professionals.
So, as you can see, it is a potentially very lucrative field to enter.
Where do cyber security experts work?
There are two key areas of opportunity for cyber security experts. Most medium to large-scale organisations have their own in-house team as part of their IT department. Responsibilities include ensuring that all the appropriate security measures are in place and are compliant with official protocols.
The other area of opportunity is with companies that specialise in cyber security. One example of these is the Perimeter 81 platform for business which is a leader in providing cyber security solutions for a wide range of clients in a number of sectors.
What are the expected earnings?
As you might expect, because the demand for qualified cyber security experts is so high, the salaries reflect this. Even at an entry level, the average you can expect to be paid is over $100,000 a year. Then, with more experience behind you, you can expect to see the salary level almost double for the most senior roles working for large organisations.
How do you become one?
The really good news is that there are many routes to becoming a cyber security professional and, generally, even people without a degree in IT will have the chance.
The one thing that you will need to have is a good amount of practical experience of working in IT in a business environment. This is because potential employers will want to see that your knowledge isn’t just theoretical and that you are well-versed in standard IT practices too.
So a good first step could be to take an entry-level IT job in a field like networking. Using this as a base, taking on extra responsibilities for protecting a different range of IT infrastructures could provide the track record you need.
To augment your practical experience, there are a huge number of courses and certifications that you can complete in different areas, some of which are outlined below.
Four recommended Cybersecurity Certifications
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the certifications available, but these are a good starting point. You should be prepared to pay a variety of different fees to take them – but look at this as an investment in your future.
CompTIA Security+
This is a good entry-level certification that will confirm that the holder has core skills in systems architecture, implementation, incident response and compliance. Following 40-50 hours of self-paced learning there is a 90 minute exam to complete either in person or online
Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
An essential qualification for anyone wanting to show a thorough understanding of Microsoft’s Security Compliance and Identity solutions. Before starting the course you need to have experience of Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. There’s the choice of a four-part self-teaching course or a 6 hour online one with instructor, followed by a 45 minute exam.
GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
An excellent cybersecurity certification for beginners, this can teach many of the practical skills needed in active defence, cryptography, defensible network architecture, security policy and web security. At the end of the course, whose duration may vary, there is a four hour exam consisting of up to 180 questions.
Certified Ethical Hacker
This focuses on training in up-to-the-minute hacking techniques and practices. It consists of 20 modules covering everything from the basics of hacking to solving realistic hacking attacks. It’s a five-day course with a four-hour exam at the end of it.
So, with online crime projected to grow exponentially over the next few years this really could be the perfect time to consider a career in cyber security – especially as the opportunities are also likely to expand way beyond those available today.
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