By Michelle Bates and Jenn Oliverio, BECU Cybersecurity
Our world is becoming more and more digital, and cybercrime continues to rise rapidly. As a result, cybersecurity professionals are being embedded into virtually every industry in order to combat these real-world threats. The cybersecurity community and the media believe that cybercrime damages will cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021, which is up from $3 trillion in 2015. This could mean that cybercrime may become more profitable than the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined.
Problem solving
In cybersecurity, we rely on some tried-and-true principles, but the tactics can change each day. There's always a new puzzle that needs to be solved because with each new wave of technology, new risks are created. Security professionals like us are responsible for identifying, understanding, and helping to mitigate these risks. For example, resolving a risk with a website running in the cloud, compared to cybercriminals attempting to steal millions of dollars by hacking into our network using member credentials, are two uniquely different challenges. Each situation is a unique puzzle and a new opportunity to rise to the challenge.
Continuously evolving and expanding your knowledge
One of the challenges of fighting cybercrime is that the bad guys are continually updating and improving their attacks. For security professionals, that constant evolution translates into a never-ending opportunity to learn. Each challenge is a puzzle to figure out what techniques are being used, how to detect them, and how to prevent the attack from being successful. All of the opportunities for growth are tied to the variety of technologies and situations security professionals have to deal with.
Solid job employment
Reports show a global shortage of two million cyber security professionals by 2019. Another startling statistic: the cybersecurity field is currently credited with having a zero percent unemployment rate while the nationwide average is sitting around 4.3 percent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting an additional 18 percent growth in cybersecurity jobs through 2024. When it comes to the technology sector, there are lots of opportunities in cybersecurity, and these professionals are amongst the most highly compensated technology workers, with a 9 percent salary premium over other IT jobs. And, because there’s such a high demand for cybersecurity professionals, those salaries are continually rising!
To learn more about cybersecurity careers, you can learn more from the following resources:
Cybersecurity careers
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/computer-careers/cyber-security/
Mentoring opportunities for both youths and adults
https://www.uscyberpatriot.org/
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