Cyberattacks are rising, especially for small and mid-sized organizations, leading to high demand for IT security professionals who can thwart attacks and mitigate risks. As the world continues to digitize, so does the potential for bad actors to exploit vulnerabilities associated with technology. We live in an increasingly connected and online world, with much shared data and limited visibility into where that data lives and how it is secured. And our businesses and governing bodies operate within complex and critically-important digital infrastructures. That is why today’s top IT roles are also closely paired with skills in cybersecurity practices to strengthen protections.
Cybersecurity is a growing field, with employment estimated to increase by 33% in the next decade, and for good reason:
In 2024, cyberattacks cost organizations nearly $9.5Trillion globally, with $450Billion in the U.S. alone. Organizations are also often advised to allocate approximately 7-10% of their budget for cybersecurity preventative measures — to stop attacks in their tracks and to address any potential breaches.
With a significant need to address gaps and avoid catastrophic cyber events that are both costly and disruptive, IT staffing firms actively work with skilled IT talent to fill the top cybersecurity jobs aimed to keep companies safe.
Top Cybersecurity Jobs Have Serious Growth Potential
There are various roles in IT that can be strengthened with cybersecurity skills that focus on specific areas of protection—from network systems and infrastructure to application development. Positions within the cybersecurity domain encompass application security, network security, forensics, security architecture, and threat intelligence, to name just a few.
IT professionals with strong foundations in their respective fields have a great opportunity to advance their skills and their career options when they bring cybersecurity training into the mix.
For example, Infosec and Hacker News suggests that IT professionals can increase their earning potential by 5-20% by attaining cybersecurity certifications and getting trained in next-level security protocols.
And, as cybersecurity professionals become more specialized, building on their knowledge and continuing their education, they can anticipate continued earnings increases along the way as they up their level of certification. upGrad lists an extensive review of growth and earnings across the globe for cybersecurity professionals and notes that “Professionals with the CISM Certification earn approximately $85,000 – $90,000 more per year than non-certified individuals in the cybersecurity field.”
Cybersecurity Jobs Provide a Mission-Critical Service
Cybersecurity specialists play a crucial role in protecting critical infrastructure and national security from cyber threats. Our intricate systems manage essential aspects of life, including:
- Financial resources
- Medical records
- Personal information
- Operations that ensure clean water supply and electricity in our buildings
Moreover, they oversee highly sensitive security and defense systems that safeguard our safety. These functions are vital for our livelihood, health, and overall well-being. Cybersecurity professionals are dedicated to maintaining the safety and stability of these essential systems and information.
Additionally, some positions in this field are genuinely exciting! The SANS Institute, a leading organization in cybersecurity training, has compiled a list of the 20 Coolest Cybersecurity Jobs, and the titles are truly impressive!
You can train as a:
- Threat Hunter
- Ethical Hacker
- Red Teamer
- Purple Teamer
- Blue Teamer
- Intrusion Detector
- Digital Forensics Investigator
…and so much more. The growth possibilities are immense for specialists who simulate attacks so that we know how to stop them, to those who fight attacks in real time and those who come on the scene to investigate where the vulnerabilities may be and where there was a breakdown in the system.
Cybersecurity Professionals Thrive in Change
Top cybersecurity jobs are characterized by continuous learning and innovation.
As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, IT security professionals work in challenging environments in a constant state of learning what’s new. They are great roles for problem-solvers and analytical thinkers, with specialists having to think like an attacker to anticipate potential threats and develop robust defense strategies. These strategies can also be applied to varying industries and sizes of organizations, opening up cybersecurity professionals to a wide-open pool of potential employers in finance, healthcare, retail, government-based entities and more.
As businesses and organizations worldwide recognize the critical importance of cybersecurity, the demand for skilled professionals is set to keep growing. Partnering with an expert IT staffing firm is an important step to secure new roles or to find talent to increase cyber protection for your business. Contact top IT recruiters at Prosum today.
