Is Cybersecurity a Good Career?

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Is Cybersecurity a Good Career?

Nearly every aspect of our lives is intertwined with the internet, and its influence is growing every day. However, so is the threat of data breaches, cyberattacks, and ransomware events.

Personal, professional, financial, and all kinds of data live online, which means more opportunities for malicious actors. Cybersecurity professionals serve as a line of defense protecting our sensitive and private information from hackers. And the need is only growing.

So is cybersecurity a good career? Read on to learn more about careers in cybersecurity, what you can expect in terms of cybersecurity salaries, and more about the wide-ranging paths you can take in this exciting and high-demand field.

Is Cybersecurity in Demand?

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for information security analysts will grow 35 percent over the next decade—double the growth of computer occupations as a whole and seven times the average growth rate for all occupations.

Openings for computer and information systems managers are expected to grow 16 percent over the same time period, while jobs for database administrators and architects are predicted to grow nine percent.

Not only is cybersecurity a good career, but whatever cybersecurity path you choose to take, the future is bright.

What Jobs Can You Pursue in Cybersecurity?

Now that we’ve answered the question “Is cybersecurity in demand?” let’s talk about what kind of jobs you can pursue. Cybersecurity is a vast field and offers a wide-ranging set of careers depending on your interest and skill set.

If you’re interested in planning and implementing security plans for companies, information security analyst might be the job for you. If you think overseeing computer-related activities in a company or organization would be more interesting, computer information systems manager might be a better path.

Here are some of the careers you can pursue in cybersecurity:

Information security analyst
Security administrator
Vulnerability researcher/exploit developer
Cybersecurity engineer
Computer forensic examiner
Information technology (IT) security consultant
Risk management specialist

How Much Does a Cybersecurity Professional Earn?

One of the key factors when answering the question “Is cybersecurity a good career?” is salary, so let’s take a look at compensation. Cybersecurity salaries can vary, but the median pay for most paths are near or in the six figures.

For example, how much does a cybersecurity analyst make? Also known as an information security analyst, these positions have a median pay rate of $102,600¹ per year according to the BLS.

Computer and information systems managers earn $159,010² per year on average, while database administrators and architects make an average of $101,000⁴.

What Are Jobs in Cybersecurity You Could Be Qualified For?

Finding the right training is key for pursuing the cybersecurity career path that’s right for you.

For some fields, a certificate will get your foot in the door, while others choose to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a cybersecurity field to start their career.

Illinois Institute of Technology offers several different programs to prepare you for some of the many in-demand cybersecurity careers.

#2 in Best Technology Jobs

#5 in 100 Best Jobs

#5 in Best STEM Jobs

–Information Security Analyst Overview, U.S. News & World Report⁵

What Do Cybersecurity Professionals Do?

Cybersecurity is a vast professional field, so careers do not follow the same set of skills and responsibilities. Here’s what you can expect to be doing on a day-to-day basis in some of the most popular cybersecurity positions:

Information Security Analyst

As an information security analyst—an in-demand cybersecurity job—you’ll create and implement computer and network security measures for businesses and organizations. Other responsibilities include¹:

Monitoring for and responding to security breaches
Maintaining software to guard information
Identifying vulnerabilities
Staying up to date on IT security trends
Establishing standards and best practices for computer security
Assisting other employees with their security needs, such as installing new products and learning new procedures
Helping create corporate disaster response plans

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Computer and information systems managers—also known as IT managers or IT project managers—plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related tasks, among other duties²:

Recommending upgrades and improvements to an organization’s computer network
Overseeing computer hardware and software installation and maintenance
Ensuring network and document security
Conducting cost/benefit analyses for new projects and demonstrating the need for funding on projects to a company’s leaders
Following new technology trends and upgrading internal systems
Determining personnel needs for IT departments
Planning and directing work for other IT professionals
Negotiating with vendors

Database Administrators and Architects

As a database administrator and architect, you will design and create systems to securely store financial and customer data and to provide access to authorized users. You may also be trusted with³:

Creating and administering databases that cater to user needs
Backing up and restoring data
Ensuring the operations of databases, including upgrading and improving them
Overseeing the maintenance of databases and permission updates

Choose the Best Path for You

You have probably determined by now the answer to the question “Is cybersecurity a good career?” is a resounding yes, but you may be wondering how you can start your own journey. Illinois Tech offers multiple paths to get your cybersecurity career started⁵:

Bachelor’s degree in applied cybersecurity and information technology

Prepare for a career as a cybersecurity or IT manager, investigator, or leader with this cross-disciplinary degree. You’ll also be prepared to progress to a Master of Science in Applied Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics program.

Bachelor’s degree in computer and cybersecurity engineering

This program prepares students for engineering careers involving the design and application of secure, resilient hardware, and software systems. Concepts covered include the theory of and techniques for constructing cybersecurity solutions in Internet of Things, cloud computing, computer networks, wireless communications, artificial intelligence, and more. You will also learn about human factors in cybersecurity, as well as the ethical issues and laws affecting the industry. Illinois Tech also offers the option to enroll in an Accelerated Master’s Program with the Master of Cybersecurity Engineering.

Master’s degree in applied cybersecurity and digital forensics

Students learn a combination of technology and management skills to cover cybersecurity management, security threat assessment, vulnerability and penetration testing, incident response, evidence gathering, and electronic discovery.

Master’s degree in cyber forensics and security

This master’s program covers information security and assurance, ethical hacking, forensic tools and techniques, disaster recovery, and legal and ethical issues while preparing students to become cybersecurity and digital forensics leaders.

Master’s degree in cybersecurity

Students in this program will come away with a deep understanding of data and information security, hardware and software security, and systems and network security. It offers specializations in AI, IoT, cloud computing, and mobile security through elective courses. Grant funding from institutions like the U.S. Air Force, National Security Agency, and National Science Foundation offer research opportunities for students.

Master’s degree in cybersecurity engineering

Add emerging techniques, tools, analyses, and methodologies to your toolkit to tackle complex cybersecurity problems in engineering in this Illinois Tech program. Students also learn more about the theories and practices of cybersecurity and have access to research opportunities in cloud computing, health care and body area networks, secure networking protocols, cryptography, smart grid power systems, machine learning, and big data.

Certificate in cybersecurity management

This Illinois Tech certificate program helps students build critical skills for overseeing and managing information security and security awareness, as well as cybersecurity training, policy, and procedures. While preparing for a cybersecurity management career, students also learn how to allocate resources such as personnel, infrastructure, emergency planning, and policy enforcement to complement skills in cybersecurity technologies.

Certificate in cybersecurity technologies

This certificate gives students a foundation in technologies that enhance cybersecurity as well as vulnerability analysis and control, coding security, and database security to prepare for a career in computer and network security

Certificate in information and security assurance

Learn more about information security, advanced database organization, cryptography, and system and network security as it relates to modern e-commerce applications in this Illinois Tech certificate program.

More than an Education

NSA National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity

Illinois Tech is a National Security Agency National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. The program, managed by the NSA’s National Cryptologic School, is set up as a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with different institutions across the country⁶.

Center for Cyber Security and Forensics Education (C²SAFE)

The Center for Cyber Security and Forensics Education advances education and research in cybersecurity technologies and management, information assurance, and digital forensics across all departments at Illinois Tech⁷. C²SAFE also works with businesses, government, and other organizations and institutions to advance the field.

C²SAFE is at the center of Illinois Tech’s NSA National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity designation.

ChiCyberCon

Illinois Tech hosts Chicago’s premier cybersecurity education conference every year, bringing together researchers, university academics, computing professionals, and upper-level students in cybersecurity. The conference also hosts a job fair, giving students the opportunity to network and meet with potential employers⁸.