Exciting option
Five reasons to pursue a career in cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is one of the highest-paying, fastest-growing and most in-demand industries in the U.S., yet there are not enough skilled professionals in the pipeline to fill open positions, leading to a sizable skills gap. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for information security analysts who can prevent data breaches is expected to be very high over the next decade. From 2016 to 2026, the BLS projects employment to grow 28 percent, with 28,400 additional jobs added by 2026.
Despite the growing need, a survey conducted by the University of Phoenix College of Information Systems and Technology found that only 18 percent of the 2,016 adults surveyed were interested in pursuing a cybersecurity education or profession.
Cybersecurity can be a rewarding career, especially for those who want to help organizations or be part of a dynamic industry. Maurice Gibson, assistant dean at the University of Phoenix, shares five reasons to pursue a cybersecurity career.
Cybersecurity careers are here to stay.
With the rise of technology comes increases in cybercrime, according to data from Cybersecurity Ventures. Gibson believes technology has converged with nearly all industries, meaning that more companies will need trained professionals to combat hackers in the future. Cybersecurity spending is expected to exceed $1 trillion between 2017 and 2021, finds Cybersecurity Ventures, driving the need for more qualified professionals.
Job opportunities are available across nearly all industries.
As technology converges with business, Gibson said, nearly all companies will soon become tech companies, providing cybersecurity professionals with myriad job opportunities across numerous industries. Cybersecurity jobs are no longer shoehorned into only the government, finance or technology industries. From retail and health care to media and start-ups, cybersecurity professionals may have the option to choose an industry within which they most want to work.
Competition for jobs remains low.
With more open jobs than people to fill them, competition continues to remain low in the cybersecurity workforce. The BLS projects employment of information security analysts to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Gibson said individuals seeking a growing career with plenty of job opportunities should look no further than cybersecurity.
The field is near the top in compensation.
For many Americans, a good salary is vital for job satisfaction. Glassdoor found that nearly 70 percent of people say that compensation is among their top considerations when pursuing a job. High salaries are another reason to pursue these careers, Gibson said. The BLS reports the median annual wage of an information security analyst is $92,600. Salaries can even exceed six figures in top markets as companies compete for skilled professionals.
The required skill set is transferable to a number of industries.
With a deficit of skilled cybersecurity professionals in today’s workforce, IT employees may be expected to help manage system security and infrastructure. For this reason, Gibson said that having cybersecurity experience can help when changing careers. He said many of the IT skill sets that cybersecurity professionals possess — such as coding, systems administration and data analytics — can be useful resume additions for just about any job in the tech industry.