Technology has taken over every sector. From education to healthcare, disruptive technology has entered every industry. This has made life convenient as a whole. Even as you read this article, you’re most likely using your phone or laptop. But with the privileges, there are also downsides to this technological advancement. While it has connected you to the world, it has also made you increasingly vulnerable online.
According to a blog by Astra, in the first six months of 2022, there were more than 2.8 billion malware attacks and 255 million phishing attacks. Despite the efforts of email providers to do their best to filter potential spam, some emails can escape this security barrier and end up in your inbox. Apart from getting fraudulent emails, there’s also a chance a virus can breach your firewall; your data may get stolen, or, in extreme cases, someone may try to impersonate you by stealing your identity.
But you can help stop these crimes! Over the last few years, cybersecurity has become a prominent and flourishing career in cyber tech. There are numerous benefits you can gain from enrolling in this degree, and they are as follows:
Table of Contents
How Do You Start A Career In Cybersecurity?
By definition, cybersecurity is the practice of defending computers, electronic systems, and data from all types of malicious attacks. Since cybersecurity is such a broad field, you must first get relevant educational credentials to become an expert. You must acquire a bachelor’s degree in computer science or other similar fields.
Once you’re done with an undergrad, you must gear up for a master’s degree. Cybersecurity is a specialization, so it’s only fitting you have an advanced degree that goes with it. The cyber security course curriculum as you pursue your master’s is slightly more complex than what you studied for your undergrad. This is because you need to know the nuances that go into vulnerability and penetration testing, how endpoint security works, and get a command over the functionalities of firewalls.
You’ll also be expected to fulfill specific credit scores and mandatory hours to graduate; hence, stay prepared for the enormous workload ahead. After you get your master’s, start looking for cybersecurity jobs, including trying your luck in sought-after companies like Microsoft and Siemens.
Benefits of Going for a Cybersecurity Degree
Choosing to study cybersecurity has nine key benefits. Not only do you get to pave a professional career for yourself, but the community can also benefit from your knowledge; below are a few benefits of studying for cybersecurity:
1. Cybersecurity Jobs are High in Demand
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for cybersecurity is growing at a steady rate of 28% by 2026. This is much higher than the national average and only depicts that more companies are using technological-driven solutions for their enterprise and requiring the skills of a cybersecurity expert to keep their data safe.
Being high in demand also infers greater job security. As your skills need time, numerous companies will be willing to pay top dollar for your expertise. This means once you successfully get hired, you can cruise through the next ten years of your life peacefully without worrying about getting laid off. Not only is this an excellent return on your investment to specialize in cybersecurity, but it also gives you the peace and stability you may be searching for in your profession.
2. The Salary is Competitive
Who doesn’t want a stable paycheck? If you’re investing immense money into your education, you would want a job that pays you well and reflects all the hard work you poured into obtaining your degree. Since cybersecurity is a broad field, you’ll make money accordingly, depending on your chosen path and your work skills. For example, you can expect to make $126,000 per year if you are a cloud engineer, but if you’re an Information Security Manager, that is easily $114,000. Furthermore, you can secure an average salary of $106,000 if you’re a security architect.
However, these numbers are not written in stone, and the amount you’ll make depends on several factors, like the state you choose to work in, the company that hires you, and if you’re new to the job or have been around for a while.
3. You Can Run Your Own Business
One of the significant perks of studying cybersecurity is that you can run your security company down the line. This means you can establish your brand and provide cybersecurity solutions to your clients or freelance your expertise as a cybersecurity specialist. However, starting a business is an elaborate endeavor. You must research the licenses and credentials to register as a legitimate entity. From there, you need to acquire a space to set up a shop, purchase all the necessary equipment, like encryption tools, and hire the right talent for your enterprise. But once you can set yourself as a business, it’s only a matter of time before you pull in major clients and make good money.
4. Numerous Specializations for you to Explore
As a cybersecurity expert, you don’t have to worry about career stagnancy. You can test your skills and expertise in several subfields, including:
● Incident Response and Forensic Analysis
Even the most secure business can get breached. This is where you come into the picture as an Incident Response and forensic analyst. Your job is to detect, analyze and report the event by highlighting the type of data breach, the loss incurred, and if the malware still lingers in the system. After you gather your findings, your next task is to identify vulnerabilities in the system and launch a response accordingly.
● Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is a simulated attack that you do on your company’s server to pick up where the system is weak. This method aims to mimic a cyberattack and test all vulnerable zones in the system. This allows you to gather if your company was under attack and how the malware will gain access to the database and ultimately breach the system. Penetration testing allows you to develop specific solutions, making it easier for the company to invest in tools to divert an attack from happening.
● Data Loss Prevention
Losing data is an expensive crime for any business; it can compromise their reputation and, in extreme cases, shut them down. In such cases, they lean on your expertise in managing data loss to save this from this fate. As a data loss prevention specialist, you need to detect the endpoints of the malware, figure out where the software is outdated and launch the necessary patch update to secure the system.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity is the career of the future. If concepts like technology, malware, and cybercrime intrigue you, you should look into cybersecurity. However, if you persevere, you will get to make a stable and secure career in the coming decades. Consider obtaining a degree in cybersecurity and becoming a prominent figure in the virtual world. With a diverse range of specializations available, the opportunities are limitless. Don’t miss out on establishing your reputation in this thriving industry!
