The pace of change in cybersecurity is blistering and means that there are always new threats to contend with and problems to navigate.
Let’s talk about a few of the main foibles facing this field today and also explore what makes it a profession worth pursuing.
Current complexities in the war on cybercrime
There are lots of things security pros need to contend with at the moment, including:
Ransomware infections
Ransomware is a growing issue, impacting individuals, businesses, and entire governments. Infections which encrypt important files and force victims to pay for them to be unlocked are rife and account for around a tenth of all breaches, with instances doubling year on year.
Phishing campaigns
There are a number of email security risks, and phishing is arguably the primary concern right now. In fact, apparently, legitimate messages are used to dupe people into allowing ransomware and other forms of malware onto their devices.
IoT vulnerabilities
Every device with an internet connection is a potential security risk, and as everything from kitchen appliances to surveillance systems joins the Internet of Things (IoT), the dangers will multiply.
DDoS dilemmas
Distributed denial of service (DDoS) assaults against cloud computing resources can take down global services and major websites. Preventing these is not easy, as it has to be done without compromising the experience for legitimate users.
Why becoming a cybersecurity specialist is a wise move
There are lots of positives to stepping into this career, so how can you go about it, and what are the biggest perks?
How to get certified in cybersecurity: The CISSP certification
You can find out in detail what is CISSP certification at crushtheinfosecexams.com, but the basic idea is that by becoming a certified information systems security professional, you’ll be able to step into all sorts of IT roles. You’ll need prior experience in a relevant position, as well as a passing grade on a standardized exam, and once certified you’ll be much more employable.
Demand for security experts is strong
Few fields can compete with the 35 percent year-on-year increase in security specialists that’s reported by the BLS.
This demand translates into solid average salaries, with median pay for people in this position currently sitting at just under $103,000 annually.
So if you want a job that pays well and will let you find work almost anywhere, as well as having good prospects for the future, this is it.
Variety is guaranteed
Cybersecurity professionals are rarely doing the same thing from day to day, and their role can encompass all sorts of elements that might surprise you.
With this variety comes increased job satisfaction because you avoid the monotony that’s associated with other IT roles.
Flexibility is part of the appeal
As a certified cybersecurity specialist, you’ll have all sorts of options regarding how and where you work. You could set up as a freelance contractor and consultant, selling your knowledge to third parties. You could find employment full-time in a permanent position at a large business or even a smaller organization. However you want to organize your professional life, this is a career that allows for it.
Wrapping up
The cyber threats we all face aren’t going to be wiped away soon but will instead intensify and evolve, necessitating the ongoing expansion of the security sector.
For people with the right mindset and the right qualifications, working in cybersecurity will be satisfying and financially rewarding, so long as you can crush the certification process as a priority.
