The rise of the tech industry has been nothing short of rapid. It has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, and there is no sign of decline any time soon. Its swift development comes in no small part thanks to our daily usage of tech for both business and leisure, and the consumer demand for the next new piece of great tech to be better than its predecessor. The demand for that tech to be secure is also becoming increasingly higher.
Cybersecurity is a field in the tech industry that is ever-growing. As convenient as tech and the internet is, it does cause some form of threat. The wider technology grows, the more risk it presents. This is why cybersecurity experts are so sought after. They play a vital role in protecting both personal information and that of businesses and organizations. With so much threat in the modern world, it is no wonder that experts are needed to maintain the privacy of this data.
A cybersecurity degree can really get you off on the right foot in terms of getting a solid, reliable job. If this is something that you have, here are just some of the options that could potentially lie ahead of you. If you do not yet have qualifications, you can look into getting a masters in cyber security online, which would qualify you for the following roles.
Ethical Hacker
This is the perfect role for people who have an interest in cybercriminals. You will have to learn how these individuals work and how they go about conducting their crimes. Your role will mainly consist of you testing companies’ security systems. You will act as almost a mock criminal, doing everything you can to try and access private data. Depending on whether you are successful or not, or even how easy it was, the company will be advised on strengthening their system. The process is to prevent real hackers from being able to access the company’s data. This means that you are essentially stopping the cybercriminals before they even start their attack. Becoming an ethical hacker does not necessarily require a degree, but it will help. A background in cybersecurity is definitely necessary for a role as an ethical hacker, however.
Information Security Analyst
As an information security analyst, your role will be a vital one for a company’s entire security. You will have to comprise a plan or strategy to prevent attacks from cybercriminals. The overall duty of the role is to ensure that this sensitive information is protected. Another responsibility you will have is to ensure that company policies are followed at all times. This includes the likes of monitoring systems, identifying threats, and then deciding what the best way to approach it is.
As this is a very crucial and technical role, you will require a degree to meet the requirements. It is considered to be one of the most desired jobs in the world. The US News and World Report have the role as the #4 best tech jobs and #40 in overall careers.
Network Engineer
A network engineer has a very vital role in their company. They are technical experts that are in charge of dealing with computer networks. This includes responsibilities such as setting up, maintaining, and fixing networks. The world is both physical and computer based. The physical side includes jobs such as installation and maintenance to routers, cables, etc. While on the computer, they will undertake tasks such as setting up firewalls and configuring computer systems. Again, a degree is not completely necessary to achieve this role, but it will benefit you massively.
Blockchain Developer
The role of a blockchain developer is to develop and create security systems that will oppose the likes of hacking and other cybercrimes. The job includes ensuring that digital transactions are safe and secure. In addition, they store blockchain data using the likes of cryptography which helps secure those transactions.
Blockchain developers tend to cover various programming languages. This is due to the complexity of blockchain technology. Meaning that those who are interested in the role will have to be extremely well educated. They will also need to have such skills as web development and further knowledge in data structures. The hard work involved in this job is very rewarding. So, it is no surprise that it is one of the most sought-after cybersecurity jobs.
Chief Information Security Officer
One of the more senior roles in the industry, chief information security officer, or CISO, is a great choice for those looking to further their cybersecurity experience. The job will see you overlook the entire security process of a company or organization. This includes directing those in lower roles. In addition, you will be in charge of sectors such as budget, design, development, and more. Another responsibility you may have as a CISO is the recruitment of new IT personnel. The job carries a huge amount of responsibility but is extremely rewarding. Not to mention it is one of the higher paying cybersecurity jobs.
Security Architect
Another big responsibility tech job is that of a security architect. Those fulfilling the role will be asked to design and create security systems for organizations. They must keep up to date with all technical developments, designing their security with these changes in mind. The role is very data-orientated, meaning it is suited for those with such interest. There is a lot of leadership within this role also. You will educate your team on policies as well as offering them advice on their work.
You will need at least a bachelor’s degree to be qualified to fulfill this role. However, many employers will ask that any of the candidates they may wish to hire also hold a master’s in a relevant field. This is due to a large amount of responsibility and the requirement of so much knowledge in the industry. However, this does mean that the job is very well respected, with a wage that compliments that.
