Is Working In Cyber Security a Smart Choice?

If you are in high school or college, you are probably still wondering what career path to take. With so many amazing options available to you today, it can be an incredibly difficult decision.

The good news is those job opportunities, that pay well, are easy to find. You just need to find a career path ahead of time so you can get the right schooling.

If you want to choose an industry that’s exciting to work in, and continues to see a growing demand, then consider cyber security a career choice. This industry has seen huge demand in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down.

Plus, with the right training, you can find a job right away. Wondering why cyber security is a great option? Read on below to find out now.

What Is Cyber Security?

So what exactly is cyber security? It’s all about protecting people and businesses on the internet. With so much money and valuable information moving across the web every second, criminals do their best to intercept this and make money off of innocent people.

When working in cyber security, your goal is to make websites, computer programs, and other forms of technology safe and secure for both businesses and the customers that they serve.

Look at banks for example. They store the earnings and savings of almost every citizen in America. They process countless transactions, and they have a lot of money under their control.

Obviously, criminals try to hack bank websites every day to either steal money directly, customer bank information, or customer personal information, since stealing identities is lucrative as well.

Your goal in cyber security is to implement advanced security systems to prevent attacks while making it easy for customers to conduct business online.

Benefits of Working in Cyber Security

There are many benefits to working in an industry like cyber security. Here are just a few reasons to consider this career path.

Growing Demand in a Growing Industry

Cyber attacks pose a very real threat and are growing every single day. It’s estimated that more than 30,000 websites fall victim to cyber-attacks each day, with more than 60% of businesses globally experiencing an attack at one point or another.

The types of attacks are growing, as are the number of attacks taking place and the amount of money being lost to criminals. The demand has never been greater, and more and more companies are hiring cyber security professionals directly, or cyber security agencies to outsource security concerns.

With more of our society moving into the digital space, this will be one of the most in-demand industries moving forward, with no signs of slowing down.

Exciting Job Opportunities

Every company needs to invest in cyber security. Large companies will hire a team of cyber security professionals in-house, providing you with the opportunity to work with well-known companies.

Smaller businesses tend to hire cyber security agencies. Working for one of these companies will allow you to work for many different businesses, which can help keep work exciting.

Earn a Great Income

Working in cyber security provides the benefit of an above-average income. The average income in the US for recent college graduates is around $47,000 per year. And this number changes with age, as you move up in various industries.

But cyber security is a well-paid gig. Even as an entry-level cyber security employee, you can earn an average of $72,000, with more on the table as you gain experience and take on additional responsibility.

So if you want to get paid well for the work that you do, choose a career that makes this possible.

Work Remotely

Because cyber security exists online, you will be able to fulfill this role remotely. Obviously, it depends on the company that hires you, whether or not they allow remote work in part or in full.

But with most companies now seeing the benefits of remote work, with higher levels of productivity and lower overhead expenses, more companies are open to full remote employees.

So if you’d like a career that you can work from home, from your favorite local coffee shops, or as you travel around the country or the world, then cyber security might be the perfect job opportunity for you.

If you’re independent and don’t need to constantly socialize with colleagues, remote work is often much more fulfilling than working in an office and spending time and money commuting every day.

Clear Path Forward

One of the great things about a career in cyber security is that it offers a clear path forward. When you decide that it’s the right option for you, you can start moving towards this goal right away.

For best results when submitting job applications for cyber security positions, you’ll want a four-year bachelor’s degree in a computer or technology-related field. So if you are still in school, you can either choose to get a degree in cyber security, or at least a degree in computer engineering, computer programming, or information technology.

Even if you decide that security isn’t the right option for you, these degrees will help you get a well-paying job in other industries as well.

Aside from a degree, you’ll want specific cyber security schooling. These are additional programs you can take during, or after college. Even working professionals looking to change careers can take one of these programs in hopes of moving into the lucrative cyber security industry.

You can find in-person programs, or you can take online training courses that fit your schedule. Once you have a bachelor’s degree and a cyber security training certificate, you can start applying for entry-level positions, or work on getting a master’s degree in cyber security.

Take the Next Step

Cyber security job opportunities abound. Working in this industry not only gives you the opportunity to work remotely and make a high salary, but to also make a difference with the work that you do. Every business, customer, and government relies on cyber security to stay safe.

Will you help them? If so, you can begin your cyber security training today by either finishing off your college degree or signing up for a cyber security training program today.

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