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Cybersecurity skills are some of the most sought out skills today, with new threats and challenges emerging daily, and the accompanying need for organizations of all kinds to develop, deploy, and sustain increasingly sophisticated cyber solutions. Government, private, and education sectors are eager to bolster their workforces with cyber experts. Here are a few reasons why pursuing a career in cyber might be right for you.
Hot Job Market
To say that the cybersecurity jobs market is hot would be a huge understatement. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for information security analysts will grow by 32 percent by 2028 — making it one of the fastest growing job sectors—while a leading cybersecurity researcher and publisher has found that there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs in 2021. This means that cybersecurity professionals are among the most in-demand specialists around the world and will be for years to come.
Infinite Room for Personal and Professional Growth
Thanks to an ever-expanding set of career tracks, cybersecurity offers a variety of different options for professionals to find a position that fits nicely with their own interests. Cybersecurity professionals work in everything from compliance to stress testing cyber defenses and software, so there are virtually limitless ways that professionals can apply their skills and look to grow them. You can explore some federal cyber career tracks using the Cyber Career Pathways Tool.
Investment in Advanced Cybersecurity Skills Pays for Itself
With the shortage of cybersecurity talent in the workforce, businesses and educational institutions are constantly rolling out new avenues to make cybersecurity careers more affordable. For example, new grants and scholarships are now available each day for individuals interested in cybersecurity careers, while many businesses are beginning to offer tuition reimbursement or other financial perks. This means that a certification or degree in cybersecurity may be much more affordable than you thought.
Graduate Growth — Certificates and Degrees
There is also a growing selection of highly tailored cybersecurity graduate certificates and degrees that can further academic and practical knowledge in cybersecurity as well.
If you can’t fully commit to a graduate degree, colleges and universities offer graduate certificates in cybersecurity, including many online course options. You can even earn some certifications in as little as six weeks, depending on the institution. With so many courses out there, it can be difficult to choose. One tip is to certificate programs backed by the Department of Homeland Security, thereby affirming compatibility with current cybersecurity standards.
If you’re ready to dive headfirst into cybersecurity, colleges and universities nationwide are now offering graduate degrees ranging from Applied Cryptography to Network Vulnerability and Detection. Research and compare various institutions and determine which program is right for your interests and goals.
