The Growing Demand for Cyber Security Talent

Despite the information age bringing many good things, it has brought cybersecurity challenges that we must face every day.

Today, millions of people are able to access the internet in even the remotest regions. But this comes with costly consequences.

The scenario is all too familiar: you upload your personal data to a website that guarantees users’ maximum security only to wake up to the biggest shocker of your life. Someone somewhere is anonymously using your image and personal information to swindle the public and sadly, there is nothing you can do about it.

Moreover, threats from hacktivists in possession of private data and news of banks losing millions to hackers have become commonplace. Most of these cybercrimes take place via websites. It can start with a simple act of downloading a file from a webpage and without knowing you are being targeted, your phone battery starts overheating, windows start flashing and you find yourself in a dangerous situation completely out of your control.

In this post, we will share with you the top reasons on why demand for cybersecurity experts is soaring. But first, the following are worth noting:

What does research say about the prevalence of cyber threats?

Findings by different research groups reveal shocking details of a rising tide of online crime that is overstretching available IT resources in different parts of the world. According to PwC’sGlobal State of Information and Security (GSIS) survey 2017, companies are increasingly investing in cybersecurity talent with the hope that they can curb the menace once and for all.The scope of this research was incredibly broad, involving 95,000 respondents across 75 industries in 122 different countries.

A CIO survey by Harvey/Nash KPMG digs deeper into this issue by looking at the skill sets that companies look for in order tofortify their computer security systems. Their findings indicate that the most sought-after experts are Data Analysts whose roles cut across a range of security management tasks. The result is high salary scales for cybersecurity experts ranging from $70,000 to $250,000, and it is not only because talent supply stands at only 25%, but also because of the delicate nature of the task.

Companies are willing to pay more

While many businesses are relying on in-house cybersecurity professionals, they still seek the same services by outsourcing to IT companies, the GSIS study findings state. The rate at which cybercriminals are trying to breach security systems has also been met by a rise in the amount of perks businesses are willing to pay in order to acquire tech minds. It is another pointer to how cybersecurity demand keeps growing.

Protection of user data

With clients increasingly getting worried about their personaldata, the GSIS study further considered the input of CEOs around the world and particularly, what they are doing about it.

Now that we live in a data-driven society and with privacy breaches on the rise around the world, trust has become a vital consideration for CEO’s. That realization that data leaks are sometimes an inside job that involves in-house cybersecurity personnel and data mining companies has also become apparent (especially in the wake of Cambridge Analytica scandal that rocked Facebook). It means even with demand for cyber security professionals outstripping supply, companies must first of all ensure the integrity of the people they hire for cyber security positions.

Types of Cybersecurity jobs

While online security concerns fall under the IT department in most companies, not every person with knowledge on the safe and secure use of the web qualifies as the right fit for an area as delicate as cybercrimes. Cybersecurity job requirements include, but are not limited to, having a strong grasp of emerging issues in the world of IT, proper training in threat detection, and having a knowledge of network perimeters and attack vectors.

Examples of cyber security jobs include:

• Data and Information systems analysts.
• Security Managers, who implement proper policies and procedures and are responsible for threat managementstrategies.
• Dev-Ops engineers whose jobs involve monitoring online security threats.

Cybersecurity is not limited to just these three types of jobs and the filed is full of opportunities for new and experienced talent. If you’re considering a career in Cyber Security, check out Coder Academy’s new Cyber Security Bootcamp here.

About the author: Emily Watts is a freelance blogger and writer at australia writings, a worldwide famous academic assistance company. Prior to joining this company, Emily used to write publications for various blogs and websites. The success her articles gained amongst readers inspired Emily to start her own blog.