Indeed, somebody must have asked you this question once in your life, “What are the 3 things you would grab if your house is on fire?” Most people would grab hold of their old keepsake box full of valuable things from their childhood, engagement or wedding ring, and prized possessions like smartphones, wallets, and laptops.

But then your identity card, credit cards, social security number, and bank accounts are just as valuable, possibly even more. While these things won’t really burn down in a house fire, they can get stolen. And if we were to ask hackers what they think your most prized possession would be, they’re likely going to state the intangible. This is why we’ve put up this ultimate guide to

cybersecurity, where we talk about its various branches, its growth and career opportunities, and the many benefits of joining the cybersecurity field.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a term that is frequently used synonymously with information security. It basically refers to the safety and protection of valuable information stored on your systems, devices, and servers connected to the internet from being accessed, exposed, or exploited by unauthorized organizations or individuals.

Many people store sensitive data on their systems and devices. As a result, a breach in data can result in an inconceivable extent of damage to the company’s reputation that stores such sensitive information. Eventually, it might also exploit that data at the cost of all the innocent people who counted on the respective organizations with confidential information.Data breaches can be instigated by cyber-attacks designed to modify, steal, or delete a significant amount of data. This is usually done to:

● Gain personal benefit from misusing such sensitive information.

● Attain illegitimate access to private and secure information.

● Wreak havoc to send a message (such as cyber terrorism).

Since the rise and growth of the internet, cybersecurity has become applicable to restrict the dangers and threats of cybercrimes. It caters to the many threats that both organizations and individuals face due to being exposed on the internet. These threats like identity theft, impersonation, and cybercrimes have all immensely contributed to the rise of cybersecurity. However, the primary constituents responsible for the theft of thousands of individuals’ and

companies’ information from servers, websites, mobile devices, and networks online or DoS attacks, suspicious malware, spamming, phishing links, etc.

Branches of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a massive realm with seemingly endless branches. For instance, some people apply cybersecurity to protect their valuable investments and assets. In contrast, others use it to achieve better protection and safety. Nonetheless, here are the core branches of cybersecurity:

● Application security

● Website security

● Network security

● Cloud security

● Critical infrastructure security

● IoT security

● Malware/spyware analysis

● Data governance, compliance, and risk

● Mobile security and endpoint protection

● Penetration testing and intrusion detection

● Cyber forensics and incident response

● Systems and security devices

Cybersecurity Opportunities

The age of cybersecurity and big data is here, which has resulted in additional risks and opportunities for most businesses. Protection against risk and threats can be good for business.

According to an EY report, top-performing organizations have two times higher risk capabilities than low-performing ones, and higher profits correlate with a company’s extent of risk control. Cybersecurity is not just a risk. In fact, it is an incredible opportunity. For instance, Australia is working to establish its own cybersecurity ecosystem to export to other countries worldwide. Other countries can then follow suit and establish their own respective centers of brilliance, not only to protect themselves against an escalating threat but to take advantage of a massive investment opportunity.
 

Just like Australia has established its reputation as a stable and secure country with a powerful governing framework and legal aid and protection, we can also build on this status to reposition our country as a secure online environment for businesses and industries to operate. This won’t just draw in more investment but also develop our cybersecurity industry.

Pursuing a Career Path in Cybersecurity

As cybersecurity continues to grow speedily, supported by the recent boom in artificial intelligence (AI), more and more people with cybersecurity awareness and skills are being preferred for the means of protection against cyber-attacks and data theft. Still, one must possess some kind of degree or certification in one of the numerous fields of cybersecurity to be deemed suitable for a job as an analyst. The escalation in the number of cyber threats has led to an ever-increasing demand for cybersecurity personnel with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the field and possessions of relevant skills to outdo and contribute productively to the companies that hire them.
 

Here are some of the most popular and essential specialist postings/job opportunities available to individuals in the cybersecurity field.

● Chief information security officer (CISO)

● Cybersecurity engineer

● Cybersecurity analyst

● Cybersecurity architect

● Penetration tester

● Cryptographer

● Security compliance analyst

● Data security and privacy analyst

One thing is evident that cybersecurity in an enterprise or firm can’t be managed single-handedly by anyone. Instead, it requires continuous communication and cooperation between many individuals who’re supposed to work in unison to protect the valuable assets of a company against threats.

Growth and Benefits of Joining Cybersecurity

In 2020, the worldwide cybersecurity market was projected at $167.13 billion, expected to escalate to $179.96 in 2021. The worldwide market is forecasted to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 10.9% from 2021 till 2028 to reach $372.04 billion by 2028. Besides, choosing a career in the field of cybersecurity comes with its own set of benefits. They are as follows:

1. Sky-high salaries

Cybersecurity is one of the highest-paid industries primarily due to the increasing demand for this unique talent. In 2015, the maximum salary for cybersecurity experts was around $75,000. The increase in cyber-attacks has ultimately led to a rise in the demand for cybersecurity careers. As specified by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary of cybersecurity individuals has

risen to approximately $100,000 in just a few years. This salary far exceeds that of other IT jobs, which might be a compelling reason to opt for a career in the cybersecurity field.

2. Exciting career development opportunities

Cybersecurity offers an extensive array of opportunities for professionals with diverse backgrounds. Many entry-level jobs in the IT sector will pave the way for a cybersecurity career, including web developer, systems administrator, computer software engineer, and IT technician. From here onwards, the most prevalent career paths include becoming a penetration tester, security architect, or CISO.

3. Transferable skills

As the world continues to evolve and more organizations rely on technology, the need for cybersecurity also continues to increase. Cybersecurity professionals possess highly transferable brilliant skills that most organizations seek. Hence, there will be an array of opportunities available to them in various industries worldwide. Cybersecurity professionals can even benefit from an excellent opportunity to work for tech giants like Facebook and Google.

4. Excellent sense of job satisfaction

The cybersecurity world is evolving continuously, resulting in novel problems that require modern-day solutions. Hence, companies are more than willing to invest in individuals who can help provide them with the solutions they need.

In addition, cybersecurity professionals get to learn and work with companies that will further aid them in their education and career development.
 

5. Guaranteed future job growth

According to Forbes, 25-30% of the American workforce will be working in 2021. As our society continues to be more dependent on the internet, the need for strong cybersecurity also increases in households, organizations, and industries worldwide. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, there are 3.5 million unified cybersecurity jobs across the world. This indicates that you are bound to find employment if you have all the specified training and certifications. Moreover, since technology is constantly changing, the need for strong cybersecurity will never be reduced, and you can rest assured your job will be secure for long time.

6. Work from home

Cybersecurity requirements are mainly virtual, meaning you can easily do all the work online from the ease of your home without having to be physically present in an office. You can easily access all your employer’s networks via your mobile devices. As a result, you won’t have any trouble working even while traveling.

7. Good work/life balance

Since cybersecurity professionals are high in demand, getting hired by a reputable firm is virtually guaranteed, provided you have all the proper education and qualifications. In addition, working in the cybersecurity field gives you a chance to work at your own pace, set your own working hours, and work anywhere you have access to a laptop or computer. This ultimately enables you to have a fantastic work/life balance.

8. Something for everyone

It doesn't take one to be a technical expert to work in the field of cybersecurity. Besides technology-focused roles, other career paths include legal and regulatory compliance, threat intelligence, recruitment, and business analysis.