If you are looking for a job in cyber security, now is the time to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Cyber Security Management.
The demand for workers in cyber security far outweighs the number of professionals available, as is reflected in salary projections that predict a 33% increase through 2030. The growing number of data breaches and hacks in companies across the United States is driving the need for experts in tech companies and other industries. By gaining the skills and credentials necessary for a position in cyber security, you can obtain a high-paying position in a high-demand field.
Industries in Need of Cyber Security
Currently, the need for IT security is widespread, encompassing more than just tech companies. Other industries seeking experts in cyber security include government, banking and finance, retail and media. What these industries have in common is that they all deal with sensitive information.
- Tech companies: The need for IT security in tech companies is self-explanatory — developments in technology necessitate tech security. While California is still the reigning hub for tech jobs, Miami, Austin, and New York are just some of the cities and regions with emerging tech industries.
- The government: The demand for cyber security professionals in government, especially in the Department of Homeland Security, is also high due to the potential for cyber-attacks on proprietary information, which has driven salaries up. Washington, D.C., is a key market for governmental cyber security.
- Banking and finance: In banking and finance, identity theft and fraud are major concerns. A recent report found that financial companies are the most targeted by those seeking to steal usernames and passwords. Banks are willing to hire more security professionals to prevent fraud and maintain credibility.
- Retail: Similar to banking and finance, the retail industry stores personal banking and credit card information, therefore requiring better online security. With the recent explosion in online shopping, the need for cyber security has increased exponentially.
- The media: Various branches of the media — such as news outlets, entertainment companies and publishing companies — also seek out professionals to prevent hacking and the spread of information by unscrupulous individuals and entities.
The above industries provide a significant portion of cyber security jobs. Because of the grave ramifications of a cyberattack and the urgency to fill positions, some employers offer tuition reimbursements to help employees gain the knowledge and skills they need to secure a company’s information and databases.
Cyber Security Job Titles in High Demand
In the industries listed above, job titles don’t always contain the words “cyber security.” Instead, the job post may list cyber security as a main function of the position. The following are some of the most common titles to look for in cyber security:
- Cyber Security Engineer
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Security Architect
- Cyber Security Consultant
- Systems Administrator
- Network Architect
These job titles are often interchangeable, but they may vary slightly in hierarchy or skills required for specific positions. The most common skills required are incident response and handling, compliance auditing, firewall skills, intrusion detection and an understanding of analytics.
Soft Skills Needed in Cyber Security
While the skills discussed so far are mostly hard skills, IT security requires you to have soft skills, as well. Some common soft skills for a job in cyber security include:
- Research: Those who work in cyber security may have to create and enforce security policy. Research can be the main tool in creating policy to better understand best practices and usability.
- Critical thinking: When your company’s system comes under attack, critical thinking can be the most important tool to preventing further harm.
- Collaboration: Those who work in cyber security may have to collaborate with others to plan out projects and security initiatives.
- Communication: Someone in this role might need to communicate technical information to others in an understandable way.
Becoming successful in a cyber security position typically means having the credentials — a degree or certification in cyber security, which builds the foundation in pertinent software, internet law, strategy systems and data analytics. Managers also want to see your ability to apply the knowledge you gain from your education. This means not only knowing a programming language but being able to build an application in that language.
Overall, the need for professionals with knowledge of cyber security is high and will only continue to rise for the foreseeable future. Pursuing an MBA in cyber security offers a way for you to be competitive in your field and learn more about the hard and soft skills necessary for the most common cyber security positions.
Learn more about St. Thomas University’s online MBA with a specialization in Cyber Security Management program.
