Cyber security is and will forever be a topic of discussion in the world we live in today. More people are connected to the internet than ever before in history. The wealth of information a hacker can gather from all the available data can be dangerous. Attacks on companies and individuals are becoming more common.
Governments, businesses, and people have begun to implement certain protocols and strategies to protect themselves as much as possible. You will also hear from industry leaders that cyber security jobs are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics “Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 32 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.”
In order to supply the need to fill these roles, there’s been an increase in pathways into this career. Colleges are offering more cyber security degrees, certifications are becoming globally recognized, and a rise in workforce development training programs. Thinking about a career in cyber security? Here are some entry level positions:
Network and Computer Systems Administrator
Salary Average: $82,050
Conduct maintenance of the technological systems of an organization.
Information and Security Analyst
Salary Average: $71,212
Plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.
Salary Average: $82,480
Securing business systems looking for vulnerabilities that exist.
Certification vs Degree
The rise in non-traditional pathways has attributed to the debate certifications vs college degrees. The CUNY system has implemented multiple programs training students in cyber security. Also, there are certification out there providing specific knowledge within cyber security that are often less expensive and faster than college degrees. Here are two globally recognized certifications:
Validates the baseline skills you need to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional – CISSP Validates an IT security professional's technical skills, hands-on experience and managing a security program.
Cloud Computing
With the rise of companies moving all their data to the cloud, managing these systems has become a priority. Don’t forget about these certifications either:
Equips you with the necessary skills to leverage Google Cloud technology to help businesses.
Amazon Web Services Validates knowledge and skills to effectively help organizations and innovative teams using AWS.