4 reasons to consider a career in cybersecurity | #hacking | #cybersecurity | #infosec | #comptia | #pentest | #ransomware

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In an increasingly digital age, it’s no surprise that cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing and in-demand professions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Despite the demand, a skills gap remains, and many cybersecurity jobs still need to be filled. Too many people may overlook cybersecurity as a career because they don’t see themselves as a “tech” person. They may imagine cybersecurity as only being for computer wizards or code slinging hackers, but the reality is that cybersecurity needs a diverse range of skills and people to defend against online threats.

Here are four reasons to consider cybersecurity if you’re pivoting to a new career path or just getting started.

Job security and higher compensation

Cybersecurity or information security (infosec) positions are abundant and boast competitive

salaries. In 2023, there were more than 750,000 cybersecurity job openings according to Statista. And Zippia reports the national average salary of a cybersecurity engineer is $99,492.

As a cybersecurity professional, it’s unlikely you’ll ever be without work or options. Cybersecurity is flexible too, so there are opportunities for freelance or remote work.

There’s room for everyone in cybersecurity

You don’t have to be a hacker or a computer scientist to work in cybersecurity. While you will benefit from learning the basics to get your foot in the door, cybersecurity is a broad field, and many roles require diverse skills beyond the technical.

Non-technical roles in cybersecurity include compliance analysts, security risk analysts, security sales engineers, information security awareness, or security auditors. These roles often involve transferable skills you may already have, like project management, research, customer service, and communication.

Cybersecurity has meaningful impact

Behind every business or organization are real people, employees, customers, and citizens, who rely on cybersecurity to keep us safe from de-stabilizing data breaches and ransomware. In other words, the work cybersecurity professionals perform in the digital realm has real consequences in our physical reality.

Cybersecurity fits the bill if having a job that makes a positive difference in society helps you get up in the morning.

Cybersecurity professionals are needed in every industry

In a digital world, every industry is a tech industry. As a cybersecurity professional, the pool of potential sectors you could work in is practically limitless.

You could become a cybersecurity engineer in healthcare, manufacturing, finance, media and entertainment, education, retail, or government, just to name a few. With such a valuable skill, the opportunities for growth and interesting career paths are dynamic and exciting.

Get started in cybersecurity

If you’re interested in a cybersecurity career or want to advance your cybersecurity skills, get started at Southern Utah University (SUU) in their Cybersecurity Essentials Program.

A cybersecurity mentor guides this one-year, online apprenticeship and can be completed independently or as part of professional development at your place of work. Visit the SUU Cybersecurity Essentials Program webpage to learn more.

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