Why is cybersecurity important?
Today, this question holds more significance than ever since we do more and more stuff online—from banking to shopping, and of course, staying in touch with friends and family.
Without it, our information is wide open to being stolen or messed with.
It’s an invisible shield that’s protecting us against ever-increasing threats—protecting our credit card info when we order food online, our personal photos in the cloud, our emails, work documents, and online banking transactions.
So, it’s no surprise that cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries right now.
Every business, big or small, relies on it to protect their customers’ data.
This is even more important for governments around the world, who are constantly dealing with cybercriminals.
Of course, this means that jobs in cybersecurity are booming.
And the demand is only expected to grow in the coming years.
In fact, there’s currently a global shortage of over 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals, according to a 2022 report by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2).
If you’re interested in learning more about that, we’ll explain further shortly.
But first, let’s explore why cybersecurity is important, now more than ever.
So, Why Cybersecurity Is Important?
A data breach can be a company-killer. Even the most well-funded organizations are vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
It can cost millions in lost revenue, damage reputation, and regulator fines.
Remember when Yahoo! got hacked big time in 2014? It’s confirmed that the hackers got their hands on the personal information of over 500 million users.
Soon after, Yahoo! was forced to sell to Verizon for $4.8 billion, which was $350 million less than the agreed-upon price.
Ouch!
Cyberattacks can cause even more financial damage to the banking industry.
That’s why banks are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest security systems to protect their customers’ information.
They certainly learned their lesson from history, when Citibank fell victim to the first digital bank heist back in 1994, losing $10 million from many of their corporate customers.
That was decades ago…imagine what hackers can do today, when most of their customers are using digital banking every day.
And don’t think that governments are immune to cyberattacks.
In 2020, the US government got hacked. A group of hackers broke into the networks of several federal agencies and stole a ton of sensitive data.
In short, cybersecurity is crucial for organizations of all sizes, as data breaches can be catastrophic.
The demand for cybersecurity experts is constantly high, as they play a vital role in protecting their sensitive information and avoiding costly disasters.
The Global Shortage of Cybersecurity Professionals
The demand for cybersecurity professionals is exploding for three reasons:
- Cyberattacks are getting more advanced. We’re not just dealing with college kids in their parents’ basements anymore; we’re dealing with organized global criminal groups, some of which are allegedly backed by governments.
- The cost of cybercrime is rising as businesses go digital. Businesses need to protect their customers’ data, and they also need to keep their operations running smoothly.
- Vulnerabilities are everywhere, from your phone to your power grids and security systems.
Cybersecurity jobs are in high demand, but there aren’t enough qualified people to fill them.
This has created a shortage of over 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals across all industries, from the government to healthcare to finance to tech.
It’s not going away anytime soon, according to a recent study by the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) and the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA).
You can see everywhere that new jobs often remain open for weeks or months. Not just in remote areas, and those in the public sector, but even large and well-resourced organizations report difficulties in filling jobs.
If you’re interested in a career in cybersecurity, now is a great time to get started!
How to Start a Career in the Cybersecurity Field
Let’s be real…like starting a career in other industries, getting your first job in cybersecurity is hard, especially if you’re an entry-level candidate.
Your biggest obstacle is likely your experience.
Employers look for experienced professionals to fill out the open positions in their companies.
This talent gap in the cybersecurity job markets has also contributed to the lack of staff in cybersecurity departments in many organizations.
But don’t worry! There are many ways to overcome this challenge and start your career in this promising field.
Certifications
Certifications can definitely help you stand out from the competition.
The CISSP certification is one of the most sought-after credentials in the industry, while the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification from ISACA validates your expertise in the management side of cybersecurity.
There are many other certification programs you could apply to.
The more certifications you have, the more trustworthy you become.
Networking
You can also try to build your network in the cybersecurity field.
One way to do this is to attend conferences or join a local community.
This is a great way to meet people who have been in the field longer than you.
They can help you find job opportunities, learn from their experience, or even recommend you to some companies they know.
Gain Hands-On Experience
There are many internship programs out there.
These are great opportunities to get some real-world experience and build your network.
If you can’t find one that fits you, then try doing a passion project and share your journey online.
Just show your passion to the world! This can often lead to a more rewarding job than the one you get from applying to a job ad.
Craft A Strong Resume
Your resume is your first impression on potential employers, so it’s important to make it stand out.
Highlight your skills, certifications, and any relevant experience.
It’s also helpful to highlight one specific area where you excel. For example, if you’re really good at cloud security, make sure to highlight it on your resume.
I’ve highlighted some cybersecurity resume tips here that’ll help you stand out from the competition and be seen as a specialized candidate.
Looking to upgrade your career?
View our listing of cybersecurity jobs!
Final Thoughts
Due to the importance of cybersecurity, a career in this field is both interesting and lucrative.
As I’ve shown above, organizations of all sizes—from small online stores to multinational banks and even governments—are taking cybersecurity more seriously than ever before.
While it may not be easy to land your first job in cybersecurity, if you are serious about this career, you will enjoy a very rewarding experience, both financially and in terms of the contribution you make to society.
And don’t worry if you’re not yet ready to get a job in the cybersecurity field. The demand for cybersecurity professionals is only going to increase in the years to come, as technology continues to evolve.
