Cybersecurity jobs are not going away. If anything, the constant cyber threats and improvements in technology will see increased demand within the IT industry.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates cybersecurity jobs to grow by 32 percent from 2018-2028, which is considered much faster than the average rate of job growth. In the following article, we’re going to show you how to capitalize on this trend. But first, let’s examine the current state of the job market.
Job Market Overview
To get a job in cybersecurity, it helps to know which jobs currently are out there. CircleID notes that the fastest growing jobs fall into four key categories:
- Threat hunters: proactive searching of abnormalities and insider threats in a company’s computer system.
- Data protection officers: for policy documentation and compliance among firms that deal in large quantities of data.
- Incident responders: cutting off threats in real-time and acting quickly to patch vulnerabilities in an entity’s computer system.
- White-hat hackers: or “ethical hackers,” who hack ahead of time to shore up areas of penetration that are vulnerable to malicious actors.
Salary-wise, a cybersecurity professionals earned a median annual pay of $98,350 in 2018. That number can get quite a bit higher when factoring in freelance and contract work.
The steps for capitalizing on this are simple in theory. But they’re hard to master. Let’s have a look.
Getting Experience
It may seem a little backward putting this as No. 1 if your goal is to get a job in cybersecurity. How do you get experience when you don’t have any? In short, the same way you would in many other professions.
Start networking with companies that have a website. It doesn’t matter what their industry is. Just see if they’re looking for cybersecurity help. Consider offering a low rate or asking for an internship to get your foot in the door.
Reading
The work in cybersecurity can change virtually overnight with the rise of new malicious threats and system vulnerabilities. The only way to stay on top of the changing tides is to follow what’s going on in the industry and read religiously.
Podcasts can be helpful as well. So can online forums, blogs, and videos. Pack your library — virtual or otherwise — and refer to it often.
Obtaining Certificates
Time to learn how to get a job working in cybersecurity that pays serious money and offers a long-term future. But you’ll have to work for it.
Continuing Education
Cyber threats change so often that formalized education can barely keep up. Getting technical certifications, on the other hand, prove to employers that you know what you’re doing and that they’ll be able to trust you to protect their networks.
Some of the standout cybersecurity certifications include CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional). Earning any of these will make you a more attractive candidate to security firms and independent companies.
Finding the Top Jobs
Most cybersecurity jobs are contingent on continuing education factors. If you don’t keep yours up-to-date, you put the company’s future — and your own — at risk.
So keep on learning by pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields like cybersecurity, computer science, and computer engineering. Beyond that, engage in each of the following.
Networking
Go to cybersecurity conferences, even if it has to be on your own dime. Use LinkedIn and sites like Reddit’s Digital Nomad Forum wisely. You also may be able to get your foot in the door through each site’s job postings.
Freelancing
Starting your own cybersecurity business may not land you the best clients and benefits. But it will get you experience that you can use to further your career.
As a cybersecurity specialist, you’re also free to set your own price, work your own schedule, and work with as many clients as you choose. It can be a wonderful lifetime career or a stepping stone to a W2 job.
Job Boards
Craigslist, Reddit, and Indeed are among the most popular job boards for cybersecurity professionals. Send out your resume and cover letter often.
Demand for Cyber Security Jobs Will Only Increase
The demand for cybersecurity jobs isn’t going anywhere. And that’s good news if you’re a business-savvy professional with the technical know-how to make this career work.
Good luck as you embark on this new career path. And if you have cybersecurity needs of your own, reach out to us today with any questions.
