It is sometimes beneficial to make career choices based on concrete data – like how likely you are to find work or how much money you might make.
Choosing a career is never easy. With so many options out there, you can feel paralyzed.
If these are important to you, then you should consider a career in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy. Companies from across the spectrum are desperate for people who thoroughly understand IT security matters and can prevent hackers from gaining access to their networks. It is, therefore, one of the most promising career directions for anyone just starting their journey in the job market.
Want to know more? Here are some of the reasons you should consider a career in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity is Booming
When an industry goes into decline, opportunities recede, and it becomes harder to get ahead. By contrast, a growing sector continually provides new chances for advancement.
Cybersecurity is an expanding market. In the last 13 years, it’s grown more than thirty times over. By 2022, experts think that the value of all cybersecurity spending will top $133 billion in the US alone.
The people who can hop on this growth train in the early stages will likely benefit the most.
The Growing Business Reliance On Data
You may be wondering why spending has accelerated so much in recent years.
Primarily, its a function of the value of data. Companies increasingly realize that it’s not stock or machinery that makes them valuable, but the information at their fingertips. There’s a need, therefore, to protect it – something that is easier said than done.
Over recent years, we have seen numerous high-level security breaches at dozens of firms, like Experian and Yahoo. Even Google has been a victim, proving that nobody is truly safe. Companies, therefore, are willing to pay out almost anything to protect their data.
Those in the cybersecurity industry stand to benefit from this emerging trend. With so few people currently providing cybersecurity solutions relative to the needs of the market, professionals in the space can charge high fees and earn substantial rewards.
IT Companies Need People with Cybersecurity Skills
While the value of data is rising exponentially, there’s been a parallel development in the world of business IT: the cloud.
Many companies are phasing out their in-house legacy systems in favor of distributed computing because of the lower cost and better security. Managed service providers (external IT businesses) are taking over the role of protecting company data, backing up servers, and providing disaster recovery.
Thus, there’s a huge need among these firms for people who understand company networks and can provide support. By training in cybersecurity, you could become one of the people these companies use. The skills you gain could make them more robust against attacks and pre-empt problems before they become manifest on the network.
Government Mandated Cybersecurity Compliance is Increasing
There’s also a government-led reason why cybersecurity is set to take off in a big way. We’ve all seen HIPAA laws spread across the healthcare industry, but now other industries are following suit. Take for instance the Department of Defense’s (DoD) new cybersecurity initiative. It requires that all 300,000 contractors who provide services to the DoD have Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and implement internal cybersecurity plans and procedures into their businesses by January 2020.
Of course, the vast majority of these contractors don’t have the skills to do so in-house. Thus, they will need to outsource the task to people like you with the skills to help them comply.
The Cybersecurity Trend Is Likely To Continue Into The Future
The need for cybersecurity professionals who understand the IT security landscape and regulations is likely to continue well into the future.
The total amount of digital information in the world currently doubles every eighteen months or so. Furthermore, companies are increasingly coming to understand that it’s data that gives them their competitive advantage more than anything else.
When you think about it, it makes sense. Firms use data for all kinds of things, from tracking consumer behavior to managing employees. They also need it to develop powerful new products that respond to the needs of the marketplace.
The government is also becoming more interested in cybersecurity. Not only is it using regulation to try to protect consumers when they interact with companies, but also believes that data security is a national defense issue.
Thus those looking for careers in cybersecurity may be able to get a job for life. It might seem like a long shot in the current economic environment, but with trends unfolding as they are, it’s a real possibility.