The cybersecurity career market is booming. So much so that there’s even a month-long observance dedicated to bringing awareness to the significance of cybersecurity both as a practice and as an area of expertise.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the United States. What better time to delve into a career in cyber.

Career options in the field are plentiful, and it’s not just about being able to code and hack. The ability to communicate, manage, and be creative are just as important. Plus, the need for individuals with cybersecurity interest and skill lands at all levels of the organization, in all industries, from health care to finance to entertainment. 

There’s no getting around the fact that data breaches and hacking incidents are here to stay. And, no one wants to be the next headliner for the wrong reasons. As more and more businesses recognize the growing need to protect their interests, they are increasingly on the hunt for cybercrime fighters. But, talent is in short supply. Enter budding tech pros like yourself who are in a prime position to nab some pretty serious roles in a very lucrative field. 

The Numbers Don’t Lie

In 2017 in the U.S. alone, there were approximately 350,000 cybersecurity openings, according to CyberSeek, a project supported by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) in the U.S. Department of Commerce. “That’s two job openings for every qualified candidate, making it the least populated of any field of technology,” says cyber luminary John McAfee.

Cybersecurity Ventures predicts there will be as many as 3.5 million unfilled positions worldwide in the industry by 2021, many with jaw-dropping salaries. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual income for an information security analyst/cyber security analyst was roughly $98,000 in May 2018. Even a starting position as an analyst with little proven track record can garner near $57,000 per year.

More good news comes in knowing businesses are often willing to hire on the basis of potential rather than experience due to the talent shortage. Companies are increasingly aware that they must invest heavily to cultivate young cybersecurity pros who may only have a minimal combination of technical, business, and soft skills.

Is Cyber Security a Career for you?

Do you want to work with the latest technology? Do you like finding creative solutions to challenging problems? Would you like to turn those interests into a successful career with opportunities for growth? If you answered “Yes” to even one of these questions, now’s the time to launch your cybersecurity career.

“Unfortunately the pipeline of security talent isn’t where it needs to be to help curb the cybercrime epidemic,” says Robert Herjavec, founder and CEO of Herjavec Group, a managed security services provider. “Until we can rectify the quality of education and training that our new cyber experts receive, we will continue to be outpaced by the Black Hats.”

“There is a zero-percent unemployment rate in cybersecurity and the opportunities in this field are endless. Gone are the days of siloed IT and security teams. All IT professionals need to know security― full stop. Given the complexity of today’s interconnected world, we all have to work together to support the protection of the enterprise.”

In other words, adaptability is the name of the game for successful applicants in cybersecurity. Those who can bridge the gap that likely exists within an organization between IT, security, IT operations, and the business will flourish the most. While there is some level of technical knowledge needed, the stand-out cybersecurity professional is the one who also knows the human side of cyber. This person understands how human interests intertwine with the business aspects of maintaining data security for the overall good of everyone. Are you ready to make your mark? Learn more about starting a career in cyber.