Demand for Cyber Security Professionals on the Rise!
Computer hackers are becoming more and more adept. Their ability to unleash harmful, degrading viruses or exposing personal information has created a need for an entirely new job sector. But the supply of cyber security experts does not even come close to meeting the demand and the gap is getting wider and wider every day.
According to a study conducted by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and Raytheon indicates that 79% of U.S businesses encounter a cyber-security incident in the past year, and the 238,158 job postings for cybersecurity-related jobs in 2014 which indicates an increase of 91% from 2010.
Actions Taken By Organizations
To help fill these open positions, private companies, government agencies as well as educational institutions are working harmoniously and independently to create awareness as well as training options for anyone interested in a cyber security career. For instance, the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation are working together to help develop cyber security programs that focus on the science, engineering, and technology as math disciplines to establish a pipeline of skilled workers for the government and the private sector.
Most of us are aware that a cyber security career needs technical and analytical skills. You must understand the criminal justice system is just as important. That is why it is important for cyber security programs to encompass criminal justice courses.
Any cyber security program should be beyond any layman’s understanding of spam, hacking, worms, computer viruses, and malware. And since Cybersecurity crimes are tried in the criminal justice system, it is essential that you understand the criminal procedure, terrorism, laws of evidence, organized crime, security risk management, network security, and a sound understanding of critical infrastructures once you have enrolled.
Why is there such a High Demand for Cyber Security Graduates?
The main problem is that the field is evolving so quickly that businesses require extensive day-to-day maintenance of firewalls as well as rigorous policing of network traffic to ensure that there are no threats or intrusions. Though they have their information technology (IT) departments, there is a high chance these individuals may have shallow knowledge in the cyber security arena.
While the internet and computers have become standard tools in a classroom for several decades, the use of technology has not related directly to training or learning more about cyber security. A majority of students have no clue on the safety precautions when using the internet. This, in turn, reduces the actual existence of qualified candidates to satisfy the growing demand for security professionals.
The Role of Universities in Training Cyber Security Students
Many universities are beginning to take a leadership role in the cyber security landscape because they are victims of cybercrime due to the fact they maintain highly influential and authoritative websites that attract a lot of traffic. Due to these first-hand experiences, universities are teaching elaborate ways to deal with these attacks. They ensure that the next generation of cyber security professionals is fully equipped with the necessary knowledge in this field.
There is no doubt that based on the statistics provided above, the demand for highly-trained cyber security experts is high. Such opportunities come with high pay. For Information Security Analysts, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, the median annual salary is $90,120. Employment of cyber security professionals is projected to grow at a rate of 18% from 2014 to 2024 which is relatively faster compared to all occupations.
ECPI University offers different degree levels in cybersecurity, including bachelor's and master's degree programs. If cyber security sounds like the right career field for you, be sure to contact an ECPI University admissions advisor to see if we would be the right fit for you.
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Gainful Employment Information – Cybersecurity - Master’s
Gainful Employment Information – Cyber and Network Security - Bachelor’s
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