The cybersecurity career path is looking so bright going into 2020. In the last year (2020), nearly 86% of organizations had an incidence of a cybersecurity threat.

This ranges from a single user trying to connect to a phishing site to more serious attacks by malware, trojans, ransomware, etc.

So, if you are dreaming of joining this lucrative industry or is already in it, here are a few tips and suggestions to follow and see your career grow up the ranks in 2022.

But first…

What is Cybersecurity?

According to Wikipedia,

“Cybersecurity is the protection of computer systems and networks from information disclosure, theft of or damage to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.”

Basically, as a cybersecurity professional, your work is to safeguard your organization’s IT infrastructure and data from unauthorized access and that the organization’s services are working smoothly from an IT standpoint.

How does the cybersecurity market look like?

According to a Cybersecurity Workforce Study by the U.S., there is a shortage of cybersecurity officers.

Besides, Cybersecurity jobs like Information Security Analysts are expected to grow by at least 33% between 2020 and 2030.

That means now is the best time to join the industry and position yourself for great career rewards in Cybersecurity.

The average salary for Cybersecurity professionals is as high as $103,590.

How to work your way to getting promoted in your cybersecurity career path

Moving up the ranks in any career is challenging and the same is true in Cybersecurity. Below are some of the best tips to consider in your cybersecurity career path.

Get the right formal knowledge

The Cybersecurity career path needs enough knowledge to be able to maneuver through complex operations. The secret here is to pass through other roles first to gain enough work experience and, in the process knowledge; inevitably.

Come up with a structured yet realistic and actionable plan to be able to achieve this. Note that this may also cost you time; more like a few years but it is worth the wait.

Break into the field

Being in a Cybersecurity career path means that you have to explore roles and positions out before you settle to gather more skills and shorten the apprenticeship phase and maximize the benefits.

Some Cybersecurity career paths that you could try are:

• Data Analyst
• Security Engineer
• Security Architect
• Security Administrator
• Security Software Developer
• Cryptographer
• Crypto analyst
• Security Consultant
• Cyber Security Engineer

 Career Advances Through Specialization

The Cybersecurity career path demands progression on career through major advances that show milestones and breakthroughs. It will help you secure a particular path as no one can do your job the way you can do it. You become an asset, irreplaceable.

This helps you gain job security which increases your satisfaction and you become fulfilled in your career path.

Earn the Right Certification

Earning the right certification in Cybersecurity enhances your Career Path and increases the capacity and to which you can practice.

Meeting legal conditions is a plus in this kind of Career Path as it entails obeying certain laws and sticking to some whether through being principled or ethical in your work.

Skills needed to Qualify for a Promotion ion Cybersecurity career path

Some of the skills that you may need to get promoted are listed below:

• Network Security
• Information Security
• Linux; for professional development
• Information System
• Python; for programming
• Cryptograph
• Project Management
• Soft skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cybersecurity a good Career Path?

Yes, the field has a promising future and a lack of enough practitioners in the sector. It has a high job satisfaction level especially due to specialization; it pays well, you can work remotely and you are offered the privilege of time flexibility.

Does Cybersecurity pay well?

This is one of the fields in IT that pays highly and has reported a high level of job satisfaction. Considering that it has a very high demand worldwide, makes it is one of the highest paying industries in the world. The average salary for Cybersecurity professionals is as high as $103,590.

What are companies looking for when it comes to Cybersecurity?

Companies are looking for Cybersecurity professionals who develop, configure, and troubleshoot a variety of technologies such as encryption, IPS, advanced malware protection, network analytics, and processes like identity access management and authentication.

Why do most posts remain vacant even after a large vacancy?

Well, the more the skills, the higher the pay. This poses a challenge to smaller firms that cannot afford to pay Cybersecurity professionals handsomely. A balance between the demand and supply through re-skilling of the practitioners would help stabilize the situation.

Can you learn Cybersecurity by yourself?

Yes, through online courses or books or aids in a step-by-step manner to balance practice and accumulation of information. You can also register for Cybersecurity boot camps like ours dubbed- The Cybersecurity Career Track.

How To Maximize Your Salary in Cybersecurity Career Path.

Specialization

This allows you to be better positioned in terms of salary and duty allocation. Find a gap in the market of your desired interest and sharpen, perfect and harness your skills on them so that you can be able to have a higher command in your area.

Learn to negotiate

You will likely be negotiating on terms and rates and whatnot in your Cybersecurity career path. You will be in a better position if you learn how to negotiate. You have to tell clients what works for you and what does not. Command the trade.

Location

Place yourself strategically at a geographical location that will allow you to get the best out of your career path.

Places in the US that pay highly for Cybersecurity services are New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Colorado, Texas, and California.

Market Yourself

Build a substantial amount of online presence on your social media pages like LinkedIn. Create a catchy bio and be sure to introduce yourself in your about section and leave contact details.

Doing your marketing will enable you to get a higher salary than going out to apply or interview for one.

Final thoughts

A cybersecurity career path has many roles to pave way for progression and there is room to expand horizons and achieve more. It is one of the most highly satisfying careers. It has a deficit as so many small companies cannot afford to pay skilled professionals the amount of money that their credentials earn them.

However, this does not mean that one will not thrive. This trade is actually commanded by specialization.

PlumlogixU’s Cybersecurity Career Bootcamp is on!

Our cybersecurity Bootcamp covers everything you need to know and transform your career as a cybersecurity analyst.

Boost your career with globally-recognized cyber security credentials. Earn globally-recognized and accredited certifications from our boot camp partners.

This program has been developed with today’s IT jobs and needs in mind and is thus very competitive and career-changing.

Learn more about Cybersecurity Career Track here.