How can I Become a Cybersecurity Expert with a Bachelor's Degree?
Once a field only associated with defense contractors and government agencies, cybersecurity is now in the mainstream. Industries such as finance, retail, manufacturing, and healthcare all hire cybersecurity experts to defend computer networks from nefarious individuals, protect valuable data from cyber breaches, and subvert international spies. A career in cybersecurity could put you in a position where these will be your regular duties.
What is the Cybersecurity Field Like?
The cybersecurity specialty is an offshoot from the world of IT and compared to many industries, it is relatively less-established. This creates an environment that favors technical knowledge and merit over experience.
To join the cybersecurity labor force and be permitted to work with systems that contain sensitive information, you’ll almost certainly be required to obtain security clearance. This means that you will have to report when where you travel, who you speak to, and how you manage your finances. It’s a matter of adhering to a strict personal lifestyle.
Add together the growth of technology and its variety and you’ll get an idea the countless issues that cybersecurity experts have to deal with. New risks are created with each new wave of technology and the current tactics used by cybersecurity professional can change day-to-day, but they still have to identify, understand and address the risks.
How is the Cybersecurity Industry Growing?
Nearly every industry is need of professionals who can protect their data and systems with vigilance as the awareness of privacy breaches and cybercrime grows. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for information security analysts is expected to increase by 28 percent from 2016 to 2026.
The demand for entry-level and mid-level professionals is strong. Also, there’s a wide variety of opportunities. From cars to websites to robots, if it uses ones and zeros, there’s a cyber-security aspect to it. The specialty has many exciting options and boring is not a likely word you’ll use to refer to your job.
Who is Well Suited to Pursue a Bachelor's Degree in This Subject?
Education in this field helps prepare for the future but not everyone has the inherent characteristics that will help bolster their career. The good news is that if you have an interest, you can be taught. Here are some of the values and abilities of successful cybersecurity professionals:
- You’re Creative: With technology constantly evolving, solving an issue is not always going to be cut and dry. You’ll be faced with problems that have never been addressed before and you’ll have to use your imagination to think on your feet, identify vulnerabilities, and find the best solution, fast.
- You’ve got an Eye for Detail: A cybersecurity professional sometimes has to deal with log files containing thousands of entries from hundreds of devices. But even with so much information to comb through, a cybersecurity expert has to read and analyze data while maintaining a strong focus on getting the details right. Small mistakes can be disastrous and could cause organizations thousands of dollars in damage.
- You’re Methodical: Security issues and incidents can be incredibly complex and an effective cybersecurity expert has to come up with different methods to tackle new problems. Multiple tools must also be used to validate conclusions. Hackers are creative and are constantly developing new tactics. You need to methodically analyze the facts and provide documentation on how to prevent such attacks.
- You Embrace Collaboration: When it comes to solving problems, two heads are better than one. You must be comfortable working with others and need to be able to effectively explain complex problems in an understandable way. Besides communicating and collaborating effectively with your technical peers, you’ll also need to explain technical issues and justify your decisions to executives who have very little technical knowledge.
How Can You Turn Your Passion for Cybersecurity Into A Career Through Formal Education?
If you can relate to the qualities listed above, then you may be well suited than you thought for a cyber-security career. Acquiring technical skills through formal education is the missing link that can help you turn your passion into a fulfilling job.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity can increase your employment options in this specialty. There’s a distinct shortage of cybersecurity professionals and as the demand grows, so will the variety of job titles. Formal education makes you more attractive to potential employers and this means your chances of getting a position are higher.
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Gainful Employment Information – Cybersecurity Track - Bachelor's
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