Cybersecurity careers are both lucrative and in high demand. So why aren’t students choosing education paths that lead to them? We believe there are a few factors.
One:
There’s a lack of awareness among parents, students, and even teachers on what these careers are, where to find them, who the major players are, and what educational paths are necessary to pursue them.
Two
Cybersecurity careers aren’t necessarily hip. There aren’t many rags-to-riches stories of cybersecurity professionals, and they don’t tend to star in many movies or tv shows.
Three
There is a stigma that these jobs require many years of college and higher-education. The truth is, there are many entry-level positions that require no-degree or a two-year education path. True, some fields do require more extensive education, but there are plenty of options that don’t.
These are a few cybersecurity career profiles that range in degree requirements. All have significant predicted growth over the next few years and pay much above average.
Encryption Expert aka the Cryptographer
This position develops code and algorithms to encrypt and decrypt (at the right time) sensitive information and data.
Cyber Defense Incident Responder
This position is the first-responder of the cybersecurity world, putting out proverbial fires and responding to security threats and incidents. More detailed information about this job can be found here.
Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst
This position analyzes digital evidence and investigates computer security incidents to derive useful information in support of system/network vulnerability mitigation. More information about this job can be found here.
Cyber Security Engineer
This position is responsible for building and maintaining security solutions for organizations.
Information Systems Security Manager
This position is responsible for overseeing and managing a company or organization’s cybersecurity systems and assets. More information about this position can be found here.
Software Developer
This position develops, creates, maintains, and writes/codes new (or modifies existing) computer applications, software, or specialized utility programs. More information about this job can be found here.
Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
This position performs assessments of systems and networks within the network environment and identifies where those systems/networks deviate from acceptable configurations, organization policy, or local policy. Measures effectiveness of defense-in-depth architecture against known vulnerabilities. More information about this job can be found here.
Multi-Disciplined Language Analyst
This position combines language and culture expertise with target/threat and technical knowledge to process, analyze, and/or disseminate intelligence information derived from language, voice and/or graphic material. They also create and maintains language-specific databases and working aids to support cyber action execution and ensure critical knowledge sharing while providing subject matter expertise in foreign language-intensive or interdisciplinary projects. More info can be found here.
Cyber Legal Advisor
This position provides legal advice and recommendations on relevant topics related to cyber law. More information on this position can be found here.
Technical Support Specialist
This position provides technical support to customers who need assistance utilizing client-level hardware and software in accordance with established or approved organizational process components (i.e., Master Incident Management Plan, when applicable). More information on this position can be found here.
Cyber Operator
This position is responsible for conducting collection, processing, and/or geolocation of systems to exploit, locate, and/or track targets of interest. Performs network navigation, tactical forensic analysis, and, when directed, executes on-net operations. More information on this position can be found here.
Experts predict there will be a global shortage of over 2 million cybersecurity professionals by the year 2020. These are steady, well-paying jobs that are in high-demand and won’t be going away anytime soon. On top of that, we really do need these people protecting our information, money, and privacy from cyber attacks. For more information about other current cybersecurity career options, visit https://niccs.us-cert.gov/workforce-development/cyber-security-workforce-framework.