Is Cyber Security a good career in this metaverse era? Cyber security is gaining more notoriety as focus shifts towards the Internet and how businesses can protect customers’ data. What was once a small career field with few people is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing careers in 2024 and the foreseeable future, but does that mean choosing a career in cyber security is a good choice?
What is Cyber Security?
As per the CISA, cyber security is the practice of protecting networks, data, and devices from malicious attacks and criminal use. Cyber security protects user information such as credit card numbers, contact information, and private or personal records from hackers or criminals who may otherwise try to use this information in a harmful way.
Cyber security is important for all businesses: government, financial, educational, medical, and others. Any business that handles sensitive user data needs a way to protect both itself and its customers which is where cyber security professionals come into play.
What Type of Work Do Cyber Security Professionals Do?
Cyber security professionals may choose to specialize in a certain area of cyber security, work as consultants, or work for a business in their IT department. There are several job titles a cyber security professional may hold and each one encompasses a slightly different aspect of cyber security.
Depending on one’s experience, different cyber security positions may be available.
Entry Level: Systems, Network, or Security Administrator
As systems administrators, cyber security professionals work to install, configure, and monitor software. They troubleshoot any issues that may arise and closely monitor the system to ensure that it’s secure and efficient.
Network administrators take care of every aspect of a business’s network configuration, wireless infrastructure setup, and system administration. They provide in-house maintenance and troubleshooting that helps keep a network secure, robust, and efficient.
Security administrators focus solely on security solutions. They install, monitor, and troubleshoot a network’s security system and prepare for any problems that may arise.
Entry Level: Network Engineer
As another entry-level position, cyber security professionals that work as network engineers are responsible for building and maintaining computer networks. They ensure that the network is operational and may work with intranet, extranet, LAN, and WAN.
Mid-Level: Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts monitor networks for weaknesses, investigate breaches, maintain all software, firewall, and encryption programs, perform vulnerability testing, and develop security practices for their organization.
This position is one of the fastest-growing with the BLS projecting a 33% growth rate in the next ten years while other computer occupations are predicted to increase by only 13%.
Mid-Level: Security Technician
Security technicians work with security systems such as CCTV systems, access control, and intercoms. They maintain, repair, and install all electronic security systems and may perform regular testing to ensure the system is still secure.
Senior Level: Cyber Security Engineer
Cyber security engineers are responsible for both the network and the systems in place. They create and implement security programs, perform vulnerability testing, monitor and report on current security systems, and investigate any breaches that may happen. They routinely update their created security program to ensure it can defend against the attack and work closely with the IT department to implement the best security practices.
Senior Level: Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
As one of the highest-paid cyber security positions, chief information security officers are responsible for the security of an organization’s data. They ensure information security and may work with a board of professionals to ensure the company has updated technology, is following robust security practices, and has suffered from no breaches.
Why is Cyber Security a Good Career Choice?
There are so many different job titles within the realm of cyber security. If you only enjoy one particular aspect of it, chances are high that you’ll be able to find a position where you can do just that all day. That isn’t the only reason why cyber security is a good career choice, though.
#1. Job Security
It’s been said before, but cyber security is a field that is growing rapidly and isn’t expected to fade in the next ten years. While some career fields are starting to see a decline in both popularity and job opportunities, cyber security is not one of those fields. Instead, it’s projected to grow at a staggering rate of 33% over the next ten years (according to the BLS).
#2. Competitive Salary
Even entry-level positions pay well in cyber security. While the average salary for different positions may vary, a career in cyber security will generally pay pretty well. Most positions will pay over $100,000 annually, though this does depend on your experience, job title, and location. If you want to earn more, the good news is that there are ways to increase your salary.
#3. High Job Satisfaction
According to a study done by the (ISC)², job satisfaction within the cyber security center is high with a worldwide average of 76%. As cyber security is a career field that’s highly dependent upon the professionals that work in it, there’s generally more flexibility, better perks, and an overall sense of satisfaction no matter where you’re located.
#4. Endless Opportunities
It’s relatively easy to find a job no matter where you look. Whether you want to work for a startup or a Fortune 500 company and whether you want to stay at home or travel the world, you’ll be able to find a career opportunity that suits you almost perfectly. As millions of businesses worldwide search for cyber security professionals every day, work opportunities are virtually endless.
Join a Powerful Workforce
Cyber security professionals do a lot to protect businesses and customers alike. With their expert knowledge of the best security practices, they can prevent harmful attacks and help businesses and individuals recover from security hacks.
A career in cyber security comes with a lot of perks and is very rewarding, but it’s also challenging and ever-evolving. If you’re looking for an interesting career that will always present new and exciting challenges, cyber security is a great place to look. Hope now you have the answer to the question – Is Cyber Security a good career?
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