The field of cybersecurity has garnered significant attention, prompting many professionals from various industries and graduates to inquire about how they can enter this domain and explore the different career options it offers. To address these questions comprehensively, this blog series will be divided into two parts. In Part 1, we will delve into the growing demand for cybersecurity roles and explore the diverse career options available in the industry. Part 2 will focus on practical guidance on how to embark on a cybersecurity career, providing insights on necessary skills, certifications, and steps to secure a job in this field.

Why Cyber Security?

0% Unemployment since 2011 ^
Imagine a job role with a 0% unemployment rate that has persisted for over a decade. That’s precisely the case with Cyber Security. This field has experienced an exceptional demand in the past, present, and will continue to do so in the future. The reason behind this unparalleled job security lies in the ever-expanding threat landscape. Consider the number of internet-connected devices a decade ago compared to today. Initially, it was limited to computers and network devices, but now we have smartphones, wearable devices, and countless IoT devices linked to everyday appliances like TVs and refrigerators, both at home and in industries. With each new connected device, the potential for exploitation grows, providing malicious actors with more opportunities to profit. Consequently, the rapidly increasing number of devices creates an ever-growing demand for skilled professionals in the cybersecurity industry.

3.5 Million unfilled jobs in 2023 ^
Take a moment to consider this striking figure: in 2023, there were 3.5 million unfilled job positions in the field of cybersecurity. Yes, you read that correctly—these positions remained vacant due to the scarcity of individuals possessing the necessary skills and qualifications. This number underscores the high demand for professionals with expertise in cybersecurity roles and highlights the ongoing challenge of finding qualified individuals to fill these crucial positions.

India needs 1M professionals by 2023 ^
India alone need a million cyber security professionals by 2023. Finding engineering professionals will not be a challenge in India. But finding the cyber security professional with required skills is really a challenge.

32%^ spike in requirement for security analysts between 2018-2028 ^
Security analyst is one of the entry level roles and among all other roles, this is one of the hottest roles organizations are looking for. There is a strong growth predicted for this role for 10 years. The 32% is higher than average of all other roles in market.

100% of Fortune 500 companies will have a CISO by 2023 ^
Chief Information Security Officer (CSIO) is the top most management role in cyber security. By 2018, 70% for fortune 500 has CISO. Now more and more organizations has realized the need of CISO for direction and strategy.

^ Stats from CyberSecurityVentures
More job stats available below
ISC2
LinkedIn
CompTia

One of the Top 5 career that is safe bet for a career that’s future-proof
With the growing number of internet connected devices, the threat landscape is getting wider and deeper. Attackers now have more number of targets than ever and this will only keep growing in the future. So we need more people to defend the security attacks and protect the assets.

What’s missing?

Now that we know the demand and the benefits of choosing cybersecurity as a careers, let talk about the reasons behind the scarcity of skilled people.

Skills gap – Less skilled people for more jobs

The reasons behind the significant number of unfilled cybersecurity job positions can vary and may include factors such as a lack of awareness about cybersecurity career opportunities and confusion regarding how to initiate and progress in this field.

Less cybersecurity specific curriculum

In the past, the majority of cybersecurity courses were primarily available at the master’s degree level, resulting in those pursuing undergraduate degrees missing out on valuable opportunities. There was a common misconception that a master’s degree in cybersecurity was a prerequisite to enter the field, which is entirely unfounded. It’s worth noting that 5-10 years ago, graduate-level programs often lacked dedicated curricula focusing on cybersecurity. However, the landscape is gradually evolving, and many universities now offer cybersecurity courses at the undergraduate level, providing more accessible pathways for individuals interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity.

Retaining people is hard

In the face of high demand for cybersecurity professionals, individuals have the flexibility to explore opportunities and transition to different organizations more easily. However, organizations can effectively retain skilled individuals by prioritizing employee satisfaction. By valuing their employees, fostering a positive organizational culture, providing ample opportunities for learning and growth, and allocating budgets for upskilling, organizations can create an environment that encourages skilled professionals to stay and contribute to their success.

Cyber Security Roles

Within the realm of Cyber Security, a vast array of roles are available. In this discussion, we will primarily focus on the prominent positions and entry-level roles in the field.

Security Analyst

Much like their counterparts in a crime branch, security analysts swiftly respond to security alerts, immersing themselves in the investigation process. Their primary objective is to gather comprehensive information and decipher the intricacies surrounding potential threats. Similar to police officers seeking answers to the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, and why), security analysts embark on a quest to uncover the underlying motives behind security breaches.

Analyzing Logs: One of the key tasks of a security analyst involves meticulous log analysis. By carefully scrutinizing system and network logs, they identify unusual activities, patterns, or anomalies that may indicate a security incident.

Hunting for Threats: In the digital realm, security analysts don the hat of hunters, tirelessly tracking down potential threats lurking in the shadows. Through proactive threat hunting techniques, they venture beyond traditional security measures, leveraging advanced tools and methodologies to identify and neutralize emerging risks. This proactive approach ensures that security defenses remain a step ahead of potential attackers.

Assessing Vulnerabilities: A key responsibility of security analysts is to conduct vulnerability analysis. By meticulously assessing systems, networks, and applications, they identify weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors.

Ensuring Compliance: In an era of increasing regulatory requirements, security analysts play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with relevant standards and guidelines.

Active Incident Response: When a security incident occurs, security analysts stand on the front lines, participating in incident response efforts. With their extensive knowledge and understanding of the organization’s security infrastructure, they collaborate with incident response teams to swiftly mitigate the impact of the incident.

Penetration Tester

Penetration tester also known as an ethical hacker, employs their skills to assess and strengthen the security defenses of organizations. By simulating real-world attacks, they proactively identify vulnerabilities, uncover potential gaps in security, and provide valuable insights to enhance overall resilience. In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating world of penetration testing and explore the key responsibilities and skills required for this role. Best of this role is, you can work for an organization or work as a freelancer by participating in bug bounty programs and earn money out of it. Here are some of their responsibilities in their role

• Perform white hat hacking activities
• Identify and exploit vulnerabilities in security systems
• Analyze security measures and assess their effectiveness
• Generate detailed reports outlining findings and recommendations
• Possess the ability to work independently
• Opportunity to participate in bug bounty programs and earn substantial rewards

Security Architect

A security architect is responsible for designing and implementing robust security frameworks to safeguard digital assets and protect sensitive information from potential threats. With a deep understanding of technology, risk management, and industry best practices, security architects play a pivotal role in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems and data. Here are some key responsibilities and expertise required of a security architect

• Crafting comprehensive security solutions and frameworks
• Identifying emerging security requirements
• Fine-tuning and optimizing existing security controls
• Bridging gaps in the security infrastructure

Forensics Analyst

With their expertise in digital forensics, forensic analysts play a crucial role in examining and analyzing digital evidence to identify and attribute cybercrimes. Forensic analysts employ advanced techniques and tools to collect, preserve, and analyze data from various sources, enabling them to reconstruct events and provide invaluable insights for legal proceedings and incident response. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating realm of forensic analysts, their investigative methodologies, and the pivotal role they play in combating cybercrime. Here are some of the responsibilities of a forensics analyst

• Conducting evidence recovery and examination
• Compiling detailed reports based on analyzed evidence
• Collaborating with law enforcement agencies
• Ensuring the maintenance of the chain of custody for evidence integrity

Security Auditor

Security auditors are the vigilant guardians who assess and evaluate the effectiveness of an organization’s security measures. With their keen eye for detail and extensive knowledge of industry standards and best practices, security auditors play a critical role in identifying vulnerabilities, assessing risks, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Through meticulous audits and thorough assessments, security auditors provide invaluable insights that help organizations enhance their security posture and mitigate potential threats. Here are some of the responsibilities of a security auditor

• Ensuring organizations adhere to regulatory rules and requirements.
• Assessing security risks and providing comprehensive reports.
• Recommending industry standards and best practices.
• Collaborating with top management to implement remediation measures.

CISO – Chief Information Security Officer

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a key executive who serves as the guardian of an organization’s digital assets and information. As a senior-level leader, the CISO is responsible for developing and implementing robust security strategies, policies, and procedures to safeguard against cyber threats. With their comprehensive understanding of risk management, compliance, and technological trends, the CISO plays a critical role in maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data. In this blog post, we will explore the pivotal role of the CISO, their responsibilities, and the strategic impact they have on an organization’s cybersecurity posture. Here are some responsibilities of a CISO,

• Top management role in cybersecurity, overseeing all security departments and serving as a decision-maker.
• Identifying security objectives and establishing measurable metrics to gauge the effectiveness of security measures.
• Developing strategic plans for the cybersecurity budget, considering the organization’s needs and requirements.
• Formulating solutions and recommendations for implementing effective cybersecurity measures within the organization, aligning them with the specific requirements and objectives.

That concludes our overview of some of the key roles in the field of cybersecurity. In Part 2, we will delve into the practical aspects of entering the cybersecurity field, including the necessary skills, recommended certifications, and additional resources for hands-on training. Stay tuned for an in-depth guide on how to embark on your journey in the exciting world of cybersecurity.