5 Ways Cybersecurity Skills Can Make You More Marketable
Do you work in the high-demand field of Information Technology (IT) or are you considering transitioning into the industry? If so, there are many reasons why cybersecurity skills can make you even more marketable.
Taking an entry level cybersecurity course, like UNH College of Professional Studies Foundations of Cybersecurity, is a great first step. Students learn the tools, technologies, and strategies used to prevent cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.
Here are five ways cybersecurity experience can make you marketable to potential employers:
1. Urgent Need for Cybersecurity Specialists
With growing reliance on computer technology across industries, there is an urgent need for cybersecurity professionals to protect that technology from cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity jobs are expected to grow 33 percent through 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s roughly five times faster than the national average for job growth. And with the ever-increasing commonality and complexity of cyberattacks, the demand shows no signs of slowing down.
2. High Demand Across Industries
Information Technology professionals are already in high demand. Cybersecurity experience makes their skills even more appealing, increasing salary potential and growth opportunities.
As of 2021, there are nearly 500,000 cybersecurity job openings across industries and sectors, according to Cyber Seek, a tech job-tracking database from the U.S. Commerce Department.
Information Security Analysts made a median salary of $99,730 in 2019, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Jobs Rankings.
3. Increasing Number of Cyberattacks
Year over year, the number of cyberattacks continues to increase. In 2020, the FBI reported 791,790 cybercrime complaints – a 69% increase over the previous year.
With more employees working at home, businesses have seen an especially sharp increase in phishing scams. Scammers use email or text messages to trick employees into giving them personal information.
Major cybersecurity breaches regularly make national news, driving home the importance of taking protective measures.
4. Businesses are Investing in Cybersecurity Specialists
Businesses are investing in cybersecurity specialists because they understand the cost of not protecting their systems.
IT budgets are forecasted to grow 5.5% in 2022, with cybersecurity the top priority for new spending, according to research from Gartner, Inc.
Businesses understand that investing in cybersecurity specialists can save them money and protect their information, customers’ information, and their reputations.
5. Cybersecurity Specialists are the Superheroes of the Internet
Becoming a cybersecurity specialist can make you the superhero of the internet. You’ll use your skills to protect businesses and people from malicious cybercriminals, making you a valuable asset to any employer.