Cybercrime is on the rise and cybersecurity experts are in greater demand than ever before. Companies depend on these professionals to combat everything from terror attacks to financial data breaches. Given the threat to online safety and national security, cybersecurity experts are needed on a large scale. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions in cybersecurity are trending upward, with an expected increase of 32% by 2028.
Due to the increase in cyberattacks on retailers, financial institutions and government agencies, these organizations will rely on cybersecurity experts for solutions that prevent hackers from stealing vital information and wreaking havoc on expansive computer networks.
Cybersecurity professionals have a wide range of responsibilities, but their main tasks are to plan, implement and defend security measures that protect an organization’s data and computer systems. If a breach does occur, the responsibility of identifying the problem and finding a solution also falls on the cybersecurity expert. Given the importance of managing the security of a company’s entire computer network, an advanced degree in the field of cybersecurity management can prove invaluable to IT security professionals.
What Can You Do With a Job in Cybersecurity?
According to Robert Herjavec, Founder and CEO at Herjavec Group, the unemployment rate in cybersecurity is 0% and the industry offers a multitude of career opportunities. The cybersecurity and training website Stronger states, “… the most in demand positions are within the areas of Operate & Maintain, Securely Provision, Protect & Defend, and Analyze.” The following careers are the five most in-demand:
- Cybersecurity Engineer
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Cybersecurity Consultant
- Penetration and Vulnerability Tester
- Cybersecurity Manager
As entry-level roles are filled, opportunities in management become available to qualified professionals. A cybersecurity manager is an information technology professional whose responsibilities are more managerial than technical. They organize a team to create strategies that protect companies from data breaches and other cybercrimes.
How to Become a Security Manager
Beginning in an entry-level position in an IT security department, having a mentor and earning a bachelor’s degree are all general requirements to be considered for a managerial role, particularly in large companies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, managerial roles require a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree and five years or more of professional experience.
Some employers prefer candidates who have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Cybersecurity Management.
Cybercrime Pays
As “The Cybersecurity Job Outlook 2019 – Part 2: Professionals” notes, salaries in cybersecurity are higher than general technology wages; this is due in part to the overall demand for skilled professionals, and employers fighting for the same small pool of experienced workers. Because of the demand, high salaries and other job benefits, such as paid leave, flexible work schedules, remote work options and career development opportunities, are available to candidates. According to the BLS, the current median salary for a computer and information systems manager is $142,530.
For anyone working in IT, now is the time to explore a career in cybersecurity. With an influx of security threats across a multitude of industries, demand for professionals in cybersecurity continues to grow and the job outlook remains high. Careers in this field net higher salaries than most, with forward-thinking companies that will spare no expense to guarantee their systems are protected. As the risk of cybercrime remains strong, so does the job market.
Prepare to protect corporate information assets with an online MBA from UWF with an emphasis in Cybersecurity Management. This program provides skills that help you develop an effective information security management program for a company.
Learn more about the University of West Florida’s online MBA with an emphasis in Cybersecurity Management online program.
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Information Security Analysts
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Computer and Information Systems Manager
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Computer and Information Systems Managers
Stronger: The Cybersecurity Job Outlook 2019 – Part 2: Professionals
