Cybersecurity has existed since the emergence of the Creeper System, the first computer virus in 1971. This specialty area, which was once limited to government agencies and defense contractors, has now entered the mainstream with active participation in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and many more. Today, everyone from SMBs to huge corporations, both in the United States and worldwide, are looking for cybersecurity professionals to protect their sensitive data from cyber incidents.
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the number of unoccupied cybersecurity jobs is estimated to increase by 350%, from 1 million vacancies in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021 [1]. Thus, the demand for cybersecurity specialists is on a continuous rise, making a career in cybersecurity the right choice for those looking for job satisfaction and exciting salaries. Read further to explore how you can become a part of this ever-expanding industry.
The global cybersecurity market is estimated to grow to $270 billion by 2026.
– Australian Cyber Security Growth Network
Are You Interested in Pursuing a Career in Cybersecurity?
As per LinkedIn (as of March 25, 2021), there are more than 68,000 job postings listed under cybersecurity positions in the U.S. But with the increasing cybersecurity talent gap, enterprises are finding it difficult to fill these vacancies. Given these circumstances, if you are ready to get started with a rewarding cybersecurity career, then you should know that you have picked the right time to do so.
Here are the reasons summarizing why cybersecurity is the right career choice for you [2].
With rapid digitalization, private organizations and public agencies are in a never-ending battle against destructive cyberattacks, ranging from ransomware to phishing, denial of service, website defacement, and many more. To deal with such situations, firms are in dire need of skilled cybersecurity professionals who can foresee a potential attack, be ready if it ever happens, and know what needs to be done after the breach.
The cybersecurity industry offers the ultimate potential to grow as an individual and professional. It is one of those industries where it’s best to keep sharpening your cybersecurity skills to become a great cybersecurity professional [3]. The industry challenges you every day, demanding your attention and ingenious ideas to address today’s advanced security concerns.
With the emergence of various technologies, cybersecurity is the right solution to address different challenges, ranging from cloud security-related issues to network security, application security, and many others. Your job would require you to broaden your skill sets to fight against the modern cybersecurity threat landscape.
Since the industry’s skills gap is huge, enterprises are willing to offer competitive salaries to entice the right candidates. A cybersecurity specialist’s salary can vary depending on the region and the position you are applying for.
Cybersecurity Salaries – How Much Do Cybersecurity Jobs Pay?
Here are a few in-demand cybersecurity job roles with associated average salaries.
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$81,158IT Security SpecialistSource: Indeed |
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$96,662Cybersecurity EngineerSource: PayScale |
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$97,221Incident ManagerSource: Indeed |
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$165,183Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)Source: PayScale |
(Disclaimer: The average salaries may differ from location to location. EC-Council University under no conditions promotes that our degree courses can help you make the amount of money mentioned above as that would depend on your technical and overall skills.)
What is the demand for cybersecurity jobs in the United States?
Now, let’s take a look at some of the top job portals in the U.S. and the number of jobs listed under each of them.
Note: The number of jobs from all the portals were last updated on March 25, 2021.
How to Become the Right Candidate for Your Dream Cybersecurity Job?
Check out this detailed, actionable plan to help you identify what you need to do to initiate and transform your cybersecurity career successfully.
From Security Analysts who specialize in various testing strategies and techniques to effectively identify and mitigate security risks to Incident Managers who are well-versed in handling and responding to different cyber incidents, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and taking proper risk prevention countermeasures, cybersecurity professionals are needed in every industry to keep organizations safe from real-world security threats. To build these desirable technical skill sets and keep growing in your career, opt for a cybersecurity degree from EC-Council University. You also have the option to start with Graduate Certificate Programs and even non-degree courses.
Key Highlights of Cybersecurity Degrees
- Accredited and recognized degrees
- Suitable for busy working professionals
- 100% online learning
- Flexible program with hands-on experience
- Availability of transfer of credits
- 200+ hours of labs practice
- Up to 7 industry-leading certifications
- Easy payment options
- Access to various scholarships
Other Benefits
- Accreditations and Recognitions [4]
- Transfer of Credits [5]
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth for Information Security Analysts is estimated to grow at a rate of 31% from 2019 to 2029, while the average growth rate for other occupations is a mere 4%[6]. With a significant rise in cybercrimes globally, a career in cybersecurity in the U.S. or around the world will not disappear in the future. Instead, the cybersecurity industry would require more skilled professionals to bridge the talent gap [7].
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs are one of the fastest-growing careers with a growth rate of 31% compared to all other occupations, which are growing at a rate of 4% [6].
Cybersecurity is not only a highly rewarding career, but it also gives you a wide range of domains to choose from, including digital forensics, business continuity, and many others.
Looking at the widening talent gap in the cybersecurity industry, experts believe that the right candidates who possess industry-demanded skills will face no trouble finding their dream jobs.
References
[1] https://cybersecurityventures.com/jobs/
[2] https://blog.eccu.edu/dear-women-why-a-career-in-cybersecurity-is-the-right-choice-for-you/
[3] https://blog.eccu.edu/are-your-cybersecurity-skills-up-to-date/
[4] https://www.eccu.edu/accreditation/
[5] https://www.eccu.edu/student-services/transferring-credit/
[6] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
[7] https://blog.eccu.edu/a-career-in-cybersecurity-heres-what-you-should-know/
