Cyber Defense eMagazine May 2019

Thanks to these attacks, the demand for experts in the cybersecurity field has never been higher. In fact,
there is a global shortage of skilled cybersecurity experts in all levels of the industry. That’s a shortage
that’s not going away any time soon.
According to the United States Department of Labor Statistics, this field is projected to grow by 28% by
2026.
That’s a lot faster than most other industries and shows that there is real scope for advancement in this
area.
What Positions are We Looking At?
The range of positions within the industry is pretty diverse. What it boils down to, though, is a matter of
both training and experience. You’ll have to start learning how to protect systems against attacks. The
Certified Information Systems Security Professional qualification is the best place to start.
Once you’ve got the basics under your belt, you can decide what area you’d like to specialize in. The
jobs range from an entry-level analyst to engineer or systems architect. Companies require a blend of
qualifications and experience. This is not an area where companies are keen on letting employees learn
on the job.
That means that getting that first job may be tough. Most companies want at least a year’s experience in
the industry. Do anything to get your foot in the door, and you’re set. Once you start racking up some
serious experience and show that you have a talent in this area, you’ll be able to write your own ticket.
How Much Scope is there for Advancement?
That’s going to be determined by how good you are. If you’ve got a keen eye for detail and are strong
with strategic thinking, then there are a lot of options for you.
You could, for example, follow a more traditional career path, progressing up the ladder as your skills
advance. Alternatively, you could start your own security consulting firm and provide advice to companies
on improving their systems and security.
Alternatively, you could opt to train the new generation of cybersecurity experts. There are a lot of different
options in this field, so it’s one that allows for constant growth.
115