You Could Be the Hero the World Is Looking For...

By: Zariah Williams & Omar Sickander

You’ve heard of megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), but have you ever heard of zettabytes? A singular zettabyte (ZB) is equivalent to 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (1021) bytes. In 2018 it was estimated that the entire world’s data was equal to 33 ZB. Experts calculate that the amount of data worldwide will reach 175 ZB by 2025 (Forbes). The abundance of sensitive information online provides the perfect playground for cyber criminals to slip through security defenses to attack individuals and businesses. Cybersecurity professionals work together to analyze, improve and implement security measures. Keep reading to find out about the different roles that need to be filled to protect the world’s data and see if you have the necessary skills to shift to a career in the cybersecurity field.  

A cybersecurity workforce study found that approximately 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals are needed to fill the current gap that exists in the workforce (Cybersecurity Dive).  The term “cybersecurity professional” does not encompass a singular job as it takes many different roles to ensure that information is secure. Some roles include:  

💻 Forensic Analyst - recovers data once it has been lost, analyzes digital evidence, and aids police during criminal investigations 

Intermediate  

Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree | 2 years of experience | certifications  

Average Salary - $75,005 per year (CyberDegrees.org) 

💻 Penetration Tester – performs ethical hacking on existing systems to uncover vulnerabilities 

Intermediate 

Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree | 2-3 years of experience | certifications 

Average Salary - $90,000 per year (CyberDegrees.org) 

💻 Information Security Engineer – develops security systems that protect devices, networks and operating systems from cyberattacks and hacking threats and addresses system vulnerabilities as they arise 

Mid-Level 

Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree | 5 years of computing and IT experience 

Average Salary - $95,820 per year (CyberDegrees.org) 

💻 Security Consultant - analyzes business's current security strategies to identify security risks and implement solutions 

Mid-level  

Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree | 3-5 years of experience | certifications 

Average Salary - $85,430 per year (CyberDegrees.org) 

💻 Cryptographer – encrypts data to prevent hackers from accessing sensitive information 

Mid-Level 

Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree | 5 years of computing and IT experience | certifications 

Average Salary - $73,067 (CyberDegrees.org) 

💻 Chief Information Security Officer - a senior-level executive responsible for corporate cybersecurity strategy 

Senior  

Prerequisites: Master's degree | 7 – 10 years of experience | certifications 

Average Salary - $172,912 per year (CyberDegrees.org) 

If you are interested in any of these cyber careers, there are abundant resources available to support your transition into this field. For executives interested in strengthening their position within their board or business owners who are interested in strengthening their security, the Cyber Executive Masterclass can fulfill all your executive cybersecurity needs. Along with built-in certifications, the Cyber Executive Masterclass provides a strong network of current and future executives. For senior-level cybersecurity positions, a strong network and mentors are a must. Explore this opportunity by clicking HERE.  

Are you interested in an entry-level cybersecurity position or just curious about cybersecurity professions in general? Check your aptitude for three different cyber careers by completing this simulation created by the US Department of Defense. Our team enjoyed the system defense simulation the most. Let us know how you do!