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Have you been feeling the itch to look at a new career path as of late? Maybe it’s not a matter of switching careers but choosing the perfect first career, and you’re feeling unsure of what path is right. Often the best solution is to think about what interests you, what areas you feel passionate about, and where your own skills, experience, and knowledge come in handy. If your answer is cyber security, you’ve made a wise choice, as the industry is currently booming where job growth is concerned.
From 2017 to 2018, the demand for cyber security personal rose by 7%, yet the amount of people applying to these jobs dropped. This prompted salaries to go up as companies came to the realization they needed to offer all they could to attract the top talent. This means that the jobs are there, in demand, and are paying well. But, simply saying you want a job in cyber security isn’t enough, as there are many different career paths within the industry. Here’s a look at a few that could be worth considering.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
If you aspire to be in that senior-level executive position in the industry of cyber security, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) job could be what you strive for. In this role, it will be up to you to put in place and maintain the vision, program, strategy, tools, technologies, and assets that will keep a company protected where cyber security is concerned. You’ll also be overseeing a staff of cyber security employees, so that means you need leadership and communication skills to make you effective in your role.
Information Security Analyst
What makes this job really attractive is the fact that it gives you a lot of flexibility. You can work for a large or small company, financial company, consulting firm, or even go into business for yourself. As an Information Security Analyst, you can also look forward to a median pay of $98,350 and a career that is experiencing extremely fast and large growth. In fact, the amount of information security analyst jobs are expected to grow by 28% by the year 2026.
Your primary role will be to plan and implement the various security measures needed to keep your company or client’s systems and network safe.
Information Security Crime Investigator/Forensics Expert
If you like the whole idea of solving mysteries and following leads, a job as an information security crime investigator or forensics expert could be ideal. With an annual salary range of $55,703-$119,079, there is also some pretty strong potential to make a solid living. In this job, you’ll be investigating cyber-attacks, figuring out how the attackers managed to succeed, and what flaws exist in the system.
Lead Software Security Engineer
Also referred to as a senior software security engineer, this is another senior-management level position within the cyber security field. In this job, your main responsibility will be to build a program that will ensure the security of the company/client. You will also be leading an entire team of employees that will be aiding in the creation, design, and building of said program.
This means that you not only have to be a techie who knows their stuff, but you also need communication and leadership skills. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for software developers is $105,590.
Information Systems Manager
Information systems managers also play an important role when it comes to cyber security. This particular job is pretty wide-reaching in that you wear a number of hats at once. In a nutshell, it will be up to you to put into place the technology and systems needed to keep a company safe in terms of data security. You’ll be putting together the plan, overseeing its implementation, directing all the internet operations, and of course the network security.
Again, this is a job where you can work for a large or small company, a consulting firm, or choose to open your own consultancy and determine your own career path. In terms of salary, this position has a median pay of $142,530 according to the BLS and requires at least a bachelor’s degree. Job outlook for this career is strong and is expected to grow by 12% by the year 2026, which is faster than the national job growth average.
How to Land a Job in Cyber Security
While it’s all fine and well to decide that the cyber security is the field for you, actually getting a job in the industry is a whole other thing. Taking your time to prepare yourself and make sure that you have all the education, certificates, and training needed to land that coveted job will be crucial to your career success.
You may want to think about enrolling in an online degree program that will give you the foundation of skills and knowledge that employers require. For example, the ECU masters in cyber security online program has a number of start dates throughout the year. The duration of the program is just 24 months, preparing you to step into the field armed with all you will need to become a tech expert.
Edith Cowan University in Australia is well-known for its master of cyber security thanks to its focus on cutting-edge research, examination of global best practices, and preparation of students with the techniques and tools they will need.
The Time is Right to Launch a Career in Cyber Security
So, if it’s a robust field with plenty of job and salary opportunities that you’re after, a career in cyber security could be the perfect fit for you. With so many different careers to choose from, each suiting those with different skills and experience, it’s a varied field with many paths. Just be sure you take the steps to prepare and get all you need where education is concerned in order to land those coveted jobs.