Why Should You Build Career in Cyber Security?

No matter the industry, cybersecurity is one of the most important elements for every big or small organization operating across industries. This is one thing that all organizations crave to have, however, most of the organizations are facing a constant struggle in maintaining it as well. The most alarming fact is that there are countless organizations which have faced a hack or data breach.

Adding to this a recent security research has revealed that most companies have unprotected data and poor cybersecurity. Which has made them vulnerable and led to data loss in the end. This can be seen in the kind of attacks that have taken place lately. In our recent blogs, we have shared that lack of cybersecurity has got countless organizations helpless.

By the end of 2019, there were countless cyber-attacks across the industries that disrupted not only the markets but also the internal IT departments. Some common and unexpected example includes the:-

• The financial sector where the account of Akamai Technologies(is an American content delivery network, cybersecurity, and cloud service provider) was attacked. The attack had 85.4 billion malicious attempts to break their account"s vault. Know what was more to the story.
• Even the aviation industry had undergone a cyber-attack. I know that is the least expected place to undergo any attack and a cyber-attack can be horrifying. On 13th December 2019, New York’s airport had undergone a malware attack where the airport authorities had no other option but to pay bitcoin under six figures and within two hours.
• Ransomware attack on the Department of Information Resources (DIR Texas). This attack was made by a ransomware attacker named ‘Robinhood’ who got the DIR on their feet and helpless that they had no other option but to pay $18 million (USD) for the data that originally was for only $80,000.
• It was further found that even employees were serving as a phishing option for cyber attackers. Which shared that there were only 10% of users that use MFA every month in their enterprises.

Here are the 5 most alarming reasons indicating how it is the best time to start your career in cybersecurity.

Not a lot of people know about this, however, a cyber-attacker has managed to exploit the vulnerabilities without even touching the encryption of victims. This is because there are new vulnerabilities causing a cyber-attack through devices of the users. Just because there is an industrial need for professionals in cybersecurity doesn’t mean you should be a party to it. Here are some reasons that will motivate you to join cybersecurity yourselves:-

1.Humongous growth in the cybersecurity industry:

Zero percent unemployment is the most appealing statistic which adds to the other perks for taking up cybersecurity as a career option. Given the kind of cyber attacks and exploitation vulnerabilities in play, cybersecurity has become one of the most important fabric for every organization no matter their size. Furthermore, cybersecurity is evolving as a concept by the days which means both from a learning and career point of view people taking up cybersecurity has a huge scope in the industry.

One thinking of taking up cybersecurity certifications may assume that they are streamlining their IT knowledge. This where there"s a surprise for you i.e. learning about security means that you are linking your IT skillset through it. This is so since a cybersecurity professional works towards understanding technologies as much as possible to help the organizations stay operational.

This in itself is a huge opportunity in feeling empowered, engaged and challenged. Thus, when security teams initially started their operations they were formed from "jack-of-all-trades" types. Where the discipline had not grown enough to support specialties in the application or forensics security or incident response. However, the workload has pusher security teams to be quick enough in scaling up and out as per the needs. Professionals who are willing to challenge themselves and take on the challenges have a great opportunity.

2.Variety in the cybersecurity industry:

There is a huge opportunity for professionals taking up cybersecurity to grow. However, your growth in cybersecurity acts like a gateway for a variety of technologies and situations that is ideal for cybersecurity professional. Where cybersecurity professionals get a chance to work directly with the teams to work on technologies and systems to eliminate the vulnerabilities. Which includes things like robots, cars and website that severs million of users. That makes it an exciting career prospect.

This variety has interesting offshoot since it requires a broad skill set required to properly understand the modern security challenges. And when cybersecurity professionals come from a diverse set of backgrounds makes things better for them because this gives such professionals a holistic view of the issue.

3.Puzzle-solving ability:

Cybersecurity professionals rely on a set of tried-and-true principles, however, the tactics can change on a day-to-day basis. With every new issue, there is always a new puzzle that needs to be solved by such professionals. Every new technology gets new risks along the way and security professionals are responsible to identify, understand, analyze and address new risks. This may change significantly while you are preparing a plan to defend the website running on the cloud. Every situation comes with a unique puzzle and a new opportunity to raise the challenges.

4.Cybersecurity job has real impact:

Cybersecurity impacts even the physical world if it is not managed in the digital arena properly and this even can be seen where Equifax hack has shared that 145 million Americans were impacted by this recently.

This makes cybersecurity a very terrifying and exciting prospect at the same time.

How to start a career in cybersecurity in India/ Worldwide?

There are various cybersecurity certifications and security certifications that one can take up to get their cybersecurity career started. These include:-

1.CEH Certification:

One can take up CEH certification after their school. CEHs are supposed to prevent unauthorized intruders from penetrating web networks and computer systems. In case of there is a hack, a CEH uses the same approach as the black hat hacker to track the person behind the hack. Thus, a CEH must keep themselves up to date with software and hardware to eliminate the latest security threats. So they have to create scripts simulating the network security breaches for future and current network. CEH professionals have to be extra cautious and this is why they use highly sophisticated equipment, and techniques to spot the system vulnerabilities. This is why These professionals are offered an average annual salary of $150 000.

2.CISM Certification:

A CISM is supposed to oversee, design or assess the information security. A CISM is quite an experienced professional who has spent at least 5 years in the industry. Where they look at managing and developing the best organizational security practices. This is why CISM professionals earn an annual average salary of $243,610.

3.CISA Certification:

CISA is supposed to identify, assess, evaluate, monitor and control organizations’ systems. Given the current market scenario employing professionals having the right knowledge and skillset to audit and control business systems is very important. This is why CISA professionals get an annual average salary of $122,326.

3.CISSP Certification:

CISSP decision-makers possessing expert knowledge and technical skills necessary to develop, guide and then manage security standards, policies and procedures within their organizations. Where they are equally experienced to be running the show. A CISSP before attaining their certification has already spent 5 years in the industry that is why their knowledge valued so much and they make an annual salary of $119,184.

4.CHFI Certification:

Computer Hacking Forensic Investigation is a process to detect cyberattacks and extracting evidence to report the crime and auditing that can prevent future attacks. Where a CHFI is supposed to investigate cyberattacks from its root. A CHFI is expected to investigate the matter on legal grounds and are admissible. Professionals who are a certified CHFI are getting commissioned in the armed forces like the Military & Defenses, legal practice, in fact, such professionals are also demanded in the banking & insurance sector and in the cybersecurity firms. Keeping the kind of skills that they have these professionals are offered an average annual salary of $88,000.