Tips for Finding A Cyber Security Job
Finding a cyber security job requires education & resources matching your career goals. Read helpful tips for finding a cyber security job now.
Modern companies have increased demands for applicants with cybersecurity education/experience. As times are changing so too are the types of crimes committed and methods used to commit them. Businesses need protection from increasing varieties of online threats, including those using advanced technology to attack private resources/data. What are the basic requirements to get a cyber security job?
In the physical world, U.S. residents looking for a career in protectives services fields need acquire a guard card (license), have a high school diploma and a clean criminal record. Finding a cyber security job today requires obtaining adequate education for the type of position you are pursuing. Once you earn a certificate or degree the next step is to utilize multiple online resources to find a perfect match for your career goals. What resources are available to find cyber security jobs in 2021? What are salary expectations and top nationwide cyber security schools most job seekers attend? Read ahead to learn helpful tips for finding a cyber security job now.
Cyber Security Jobs - Types & Personnel Attributes
Cyber security might appear a relatively narrow field of study for those unfamiliar, but modern fields of job opportunities and study topics are quite diverse. Cyber security job applicants are required to have an innate sense of professional (and personal) responsibility even for entry level positions. Duty to serve and protect your company, fellow employees and fellow country people are also required, especially when pursuing jobs with a U.S. government organization.
Do you have an expansive skillset and naturally enhanced level of perception? Perhaps the jobs of Threat Intelligence Officer and/or Risk Management Specialist are right for you. Are you a solution-oriented person with a high aptitude for computer technology? Application Development or Cyber Security Architecture might be strong fits for your personality and skill sets. A Chief Information Security Officer must enforce zero-trust policies and network security models to adequately protect the systems (and data) he or she oversees.
Cyber Security Positions – Why the Increased Demand?
Serious cyber security crimes were perpetrated against the U.S. in 2020. Major telecommunications providers were attacked multiple times. A data breach was successfully perpetrated against the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). There is no system cyber criminals will not attempt to breach in 2021, which means the hiring of more cyber security specialists is a necessity.
The two primary goals of cyber security are the detection and prevention of threats. Citizens around the world are increasingly comfortable placing their personal and financial information in readily accessible online-only accounts. Cyber criminals target passwords, medical records, intellectual property, credit card numbers / PINs and more as a means of taking control of third-party finances and identities. Even military and federal government-related data is boldly targeted by modern cyber criminals who have advanced technology and techniques to obtain it. Simply put, cyber security positions are experiencing urgent increased demands because a literal world of information is also increasingly at risk of falling into criminal hands every day.
Cyber Security Jobs – Education & Experience Requirements
Education and experience required to get a cyber security job varies with the type and level of job you are pursuing. Due to increased technology and skill sets used in contemporary cyber-attacks, obtaining a next-generation cyber security job with only an IT or computer programming/coding certificate is no longer plausible. Certificate and degree programs provide education needed to get a wide variety (and level) of cyber security jobs today.
Certificate programs typically serve two purposes. The first is to fast-track your way into a career field. The second is to increase your value as an employee by advancing your previous education in small (but powerful) steps. Some certificate programs require you already possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree as a requirement for admission. Others are designed to help you gain entry-level positions in your career field of choice. If you choose to obtain a minimum of a cyber security certificate you must also prepare to accept entry-level salary/positions and work your way through the ranks. Examples of relevant cyber security certificates capable of helping you gain entry level jobs include the Comp TIA Security+ and the Certified Ethical Hacker certificates.
Associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. (Doctorate) programs help you obtain higher pay and more advanced job positions. Doctorate programs are pursued by candidates interested in researching cyber security at its highest levels for the purpose of advancing the field. Candidates with master’s degrees are capable of teaching cyber security courses to new students or obtaining leadership/management positions with intense requirements, such as those associated with various Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) cyber security divisions. Most cyber security jobs require candidates possess a minimum of an associate or bachelor’s degree as a condition of hiring. The more education and experience you have the more salary and responsibility you will likely be awarded.
Salary Expectations & Projected Growth
The median salary for cyber security analysts in 2020 was $103,590/year or $49.80/hour for employees holding a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. The job growth rate projection through 2029 is thirty-one percent, which is significantly higher than projections for other career positions in the U.S. through the same time period. The fastest growing position needs over the next five years are Application Development Security, Cloud Security and Risk Management positions, with salary premiums ranging between $12,000+ and $15,000/yr. Salaries and projections vary based on if a job is entry through senior level and the type/amount of education/experience each employee possesses.
Resources for Finding Cyber Security Jobs
Resources for finding cyber security jobs in 2021 are plentiful. Online job boards are a primary and viable means of locating the best positions available today. Some of the best resources for finding cyber security jobs in 2021include:
Top Nationwide Online Cyber Security School Programs
Accredited online cyber security programs are popular from certificate to Doctorate levels today. The best programs have excellent post-graduate job placement percentages and attract the best candidates available nationwide. The top nationwide online cyber security school programs in 2021 include:
