As cyber threats evolve and become more sophisticated, organizations desperately need talented individuals to protect their digital assets and infrastructure.

Unfortunately, the cyber security industry faces a critical shortage of skilled professionals. Millions of positions still need to be filled worldwide.

Your timing couldn’t be better if you’re considering a career in this field. Opportunities abound for those willing to develop the right skills and expertise.

But how do you start your journey or advance your career as a cyber security professional? Let’s start the discussion.

An Alarming Shortage

The current talent shortage has reached alarming proportions. According to the World Economic Forum, 71% of organizations globally are actively looking for cyber security professionals. About 52% of public entities need more resources and skills to design cyber resilience programs. (1)

This deficiency stems from several interlapping factors, including the rapid digital transformation, the increasingly evolving nature of cyber threats, and educational systems that need to catch up with industry demands. The rise of remote work has further complicated matters, expanding attack surfaces and creating new vulnerabilities. This reality leaves many graduates requiring additional training before they’re ready for the demands of cyber security roles.

Where To Start

Choosing a career in cyber security allows you to become part of the solution. Plus, you’re earning well while learning the fundamentals of enterprise security. But how do you get in?

• Get formal education: Acquiring theoretical concepts through academic education is the primary entry for most cyber security careers, whether you’re eyeing to become a security engineer or malware analyst.  
• Gain practical experience: After earning your degree or certification, look for internship and apprentice programs that provide hands-on expertise simultaneously or before starting your job search. It’s best to understand the industry landscape and requirements beforehand.
• Participate in office-based security programs: Some organizations offer “security champions” programs where non-IT security staff gain exposure to security practices while maintaining their current roles.
• Network with other security professionals: Join relevant organizations and attend industry conferences. Many security professionals started in help desk or system administration roles before transitioning into security-focused positions.

Understanding where you fit in and how to leverage your existing skills can increase your salary. The average pay for entry-level positions in this sector is by no means low. But being qualified for higher positions, for instance, as a security analyst or junior security engineer, can increase your pay. These roles typically involve monitoring systems, analyzing potential threats, and implementing security measures.

To put this in perspective, an information security analyst receives a median annual salary of USD$120,360 in the US. Despite the presence of 180,700 workers holding this position as of 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 33% demand growth from 2023 to 2033. (2)

You may check out an information technology or IT salary guide to gain more insights on how much cyber security professionals get paid. The info you’ll get from these resources can guide your career plans.

Diverse Paths, Abundant Opportunities 

Many successful cyber professionals didn’t start in the field of security. Some have taken general courses in computer science or IT and chose to gain certifications, practical skills, and hands-on experience in cyber defense.

You might find yourself becoming a penetration tester. This position involves identifying vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. Otherwise, you might be interested in digital forensics, investigating cyber incidents, and gathering evidence of attacks. Some professionals specialize in malware analysis to dissect harmful code and understand its behavior and countermeasures.

As you develop expertise in areas like threat detection, incident response, or security architecture, you help close critical gaps in an organization’s defenses. With ample experience, you can become a mentor, trainer, or advocate who helps bring more talented individuals into the field.

Your career path might lead you to become a chief information security officer (CISO) or a cyber security specialist overseeing comprehensive security programs for organizations. The salary in this sector is particularly competitive, with workers often earning six-figure incomes. A cyber security salary guide can be invaluable if you want to dig deep into the salary range in this particular field. The more informed you are, the better career decisions you’ll make.

Building Your Security Arsenal

Your success as a cyber professional requires continuous learning and adaptation. Entry-level cyber security jobs typically require certain fundamental skills and certifications.

Network Architecture and Protocols

Understanding how data moves through networks helps identify potential vulnerabilities. It’s also crucial in designing robust security infrastructures that safeguard against unauthorized access and possible breaches.

Operating System Administration

An information systems security professional must possess deep knowledge of system configurations, user permissions, and security settings. Mastering these aspects helps implement and maintain critical defense mechanisms across various computing environments.

Programming Basics

Coding skills allow you to understand malware behavior, develop security skills, and communicate with development teams about security implementations.

Security Operations Fundamentals

Mastering the core principles of monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents provides the foundation for cyber defense strategies.

Cloud Security Principles

Gartner predicts that over 70% of businesses will use enterprise cloud platforms for multiple business processes. This shift increases the need for managing complex cloud architectures and protecting sensitive data. Mastering cloud security makes you an attractive candidate across all industries. (3)

CompTIA Security+

This certification validates baseline cyber security skills. It’s a critical stepping stone for professionals starting their cyber security careers.

Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) Security Essentials

As its name implies, this entry-level certification bridges theoretical understanding with practical applications. It covers several topics on infrastructure support, risk management, incident response, and information security management.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Widely recognized as the gold standard for advanced security certification, this reflects your expertise across multiple security domains and signals professional credibility. This credential is ideal for more experienced professionals.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

This provides specialized training in pinpointing system vulnerabilities from an attacker’s perspective. Through this, you can develop proactive defense strategies and conduct comprehensive security assessments.

These technical skills and certifications serve as your foundation for more specialized roles. Each one represents an opportunity to deepen your understanding and broaden your impact in addressing the industry’s talent shortage.

Still, successful security professionals must cultivate soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. Organizations need professionals who can think creatively, adapt quickly, and bring fresh perspectives to security challenges.

Closing Thoughts

The demand for cyber security talent shows no signs of slowing down. As technologies evolve and new threats emerge, the need for skilled professionals will only increase.

Cyber security is ultimately about protecting people and organizations from harm. That’s why the most successful professionals in this field combine technical experience with a genuine desire to make the virtual world safer for everyone. Consider the current gap as an opportunity to step into a rewarding role in the digital age.

Citations

1.      “Bridging the Cyber Skills Gap”, Source: https://initiatives.weforum.org/bridging-the-cyber-skills-gap/home

2.      “Information Security Analysts”, Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm

3.      “What Are Industry Cloud Platforms?” Source: https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/what-are-industry-cloud-platforms