Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting networks, resources, and systems from digital/cyberattacks in simple terms. This means that you are practicing cyber security whenever you take steps to defend a system or network from cyberattacks.
Cyber security is far more complicated than simply putting antivirus or antispyware software on your computers, despite its seeming simplicity. It is a broad, multidisciplinary field that encompasses a variety of disciplines and best practices for maintaining the safety, integrity, and reliability of networks and digital systems.
Why is cybersecurity important?
Digital life is becoming increasingly widespread and will continue to do so. From social networking to online shopping, gaming, and even remote employment, we spend a significant portion of our lives online.
Passwords, credit card information, employee numbers, protected health information, personally identifying information, and sensitive documents are all included (such as copyrights, trade secrets, patents, and so on).
A data breach could reveal sensitive information to persons with malevolent intent, resulting in severe embarrassment, reputational harm, and significant financial costs.
Hackers and malevolent actors sometimes assault infrastructure controls and undermine data integrity, which is not the primary purpose of a cyberattack. As hackers find new and ingenious ways to gain access to secured data, these attacks cost businesses more and more money. A cyberattack occurs every 14 seconds, according to records, and a 2019 estimate forecasts that cyberattacks would cost up to $6 trillion by 2021.
As a result, it’s vital to discover ways to secure the data that we rely on so heavily, both on an individual and corporate level.
What types of cybersecurity careers are available?
If you’ve looked into cyber security jobs, you’ve probably heard of something called the cybersecurity talent gap. The cyber security talent gap refers to the scarcity of qualified cyber security employees to fill critical tasks in businesses. According to a recent prediction, nearly 3.5 million cyber security jobs would be unfilled globally by 2021. These are positions for which you may already be preparing!
Furthermore, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey, less than half of businesses throughout the world are prepared for a cyberattack. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and severe, which indicates a critical shortage of trained individuals in the cyber security industry. So, what are the prerequisites for a career in cyber security?
For cybersecurity employment, the minimum qualifications are as follows:
Cyber security is a broad field with a variety of job titles. Whatever your background, you can add something to the cyber security conversation. As a result, cyber security educational requirements differ. Many entry-level cyber security occupations, for example, may not necessitate a bachelor’s degree in cyber security or a related discipline.
More advanced occupations, on the other hand, often demand a bachelor’s degree or, in some situations, a master’s degree.
A bachelor’s degree in cyber security or related subjects and 7–12 years of experience in a similar sector are required for the post of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), a mid-executive level professional who organizes, coordinates, and leads an organization’s cyber security blueprint. Some larger firms require at least a Master’s degree in cyber security or a related discipline, thus a master’s degree in these fields is desirable.
Keep in mind, however, that obtaining credentials is the greatest approach to succeed in a cyber security profession. There will be more on this later.
Cybersecurity earnings and the future of the cyber security employment market:
A profession in cyber security promises a high-paying position. The increasing demand for cyber security positions, combined with the specific abilities required for the job, essentially guarantees a lucrative salary.
However, as previously stated, average compensation for cyber security professions differ by state (like with almost any job).
Here are average salaries in states with strong cyber demand to give you an idea of how much they can vary by location.
According to Indeed.com, entry-level cyber security salaries vary based on the specific position. These are the most prevalent cyber security positions and their corresponding salaries.
Security Officer: SGD 75k
Security Engineer: SGD 190k
Security Administrator: SGD 126k
IT Security Specialist: SGD 160k
Information Security Analyst: SGD 137k
Entry-level Analyst: SGD 86.5k
