Cybersecurity needs are growing, and fast. So fast, in fact, that it’s outpacing the talent pool by staggering margins—a recent report by Cybersecurity Ventures predicts there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity job openings by 2021.
For many professionals, cybersecurity means job security.
Where does the industry stand right now?
Think about all the leaps technology has made in the last decade. We have autonomous cars on our roads, internet-connected appliances in our homes, and facial recognition in our phones. The rapid pace of innovation means we always have new ways to make our lives easier, richer, and more enjoyable.
But there are risks. These technologies are beneficial only if designed and used well; when they aren’t, consumers and companies suffer.
With breaches, hacks, and vulnerabilities constantly in the news, companies are realizing that security matters to consumers. According to a 2017 report by PwC, only 25% of American consumers believe that companies handle their sensitive data responsibly. On top of that, 87% of consumers stated they would take their business elsewhere if a company violates their trust and mishandles their data.
This, of course, gives cybercriminals more leverage. Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that cybercrime will cost $6 trillion globally by 2021—double what it cost in 2015. For businesses, the financial and reputational risks of a breach are severe. Between forensic investigation, remediation of security gaps, and the cleanup cost in PR and customer care, businesses can expect to spend millions after a cyberattack. Recent studies estimate that the cost of a breach is nearing $150 per record, and that was before the General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) went into effect. Regulatory fines for both noncompliance and breaches put their own pressure on corporations.
Why the gap?
Facing growing pressure from consumers, governments, regulators, and criminals, businesses all over the world are now scrambling to hire cybersecurity talent that can help design and manage more secure products and services.
Industry discourse has also increasingly highlighted a shortage of “soft skills” among cybersecurity professionals. Although most people likely think of cybersecurity as being a highly technical field requiring detailed knowledge of systems, programming, and regulations, those things are only part of the equation. With technology touching every aspect of the modern business, it’s absolutely vital to have excellent communicators, leaders, and strategists in your security team.
Problem is, there’s not enough of that talent to go around. Many institutions have only just begun planning and launching cybersecurity programs (including traditional degrees as well as professional certification prep courses). Even as more professionals join the industry, demand continues to outpace supply.
Growing our community
As a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, UD is leading the charge to fill the national and international cybersecurity talent pools.
Endorsed by the United States National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, UD’s programs are a partnership between the UD CyberSecurity Initiative (UD CSI) and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. They include undergraduate minors and master’s degrees as well as graduate certificates. Students can also enroll in the Cybersecurity Scholars program, which provides unique opportunities to engage public officials, companies, experts, and simulations to hone their skills and gain valuable experience.
Programs like these are invaluable to incoming students, who increasingly indicate interest in technology in general and cybersecurity in particular. For a generation who grew up hearing about breaches, election hacking, and cyberterrorism, there’s a growing sentiment that cybersecurity is a necessary and worthy cause. A 2016 Raytheon report describes increases in young adults’ interest in, understanding of, and access to cybersecurity opportunities over 2015. In only a year, over 10% more students reported receiving formal cyber safety lessons in schools. 10% more males and 6% more females stated they were more likely to choose a career that makes the Internet safer.
These figures also highlight an important growth dimension: diversity. An upcoming report by Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that women now represent over 20% of the global cybersecurity workforce as of this year. That’s an improvement on the 11% estimate from an oft-cited 2013 Frost and Sullivan report, but the field still has lots of room to grow. With the industry and professional community poised to expand exponentially over the next several years, they can stimulate lasting change by taking the time to consciously create and promote opportunities for individuals of all genders to contribute and succeed. A number of professional networks for women in cybersecurity are doing just that, and we encourage all of you to join us as allies in supporting this cause.
How to start your career in cybersecurity
There are many career paths in cybersecurity, and the number continues to surge alongside demand.
UD students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in any field have the option to minor in cybersecurity through a program offered by the UD CyberSecurity Initiative and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
For professionals already in the workforce, consider pursuing certificates and certifications that help demonstrate your knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. UD offers a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity. Several professional organizations also offer widely-recognized certifications that can become launchpads for your next career move.
Popular examples include
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), managed by (ISC)^2
- Security+, managed by CompTIA
- GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA), managed by GIAC
- Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH), managed by the EC-Council
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), managed by ISACA.
We encourage current cybersecurity professionals to consider mentoring students or new employees to help them develop key skills and experience.
And to all you parents out there, encourage your children to consider careers in cybersecurity. The workforce needs many different skill sets and perspectives, not all of them technical in nature. Not sure how to start the conversation? Check out the National Cyber Security Alliance’s Parent Primer to Guiding Kids to Careers in Cybersecurity for useful facts and resources.
Interested in more?
Explore our NCSAM resources and learn how to enter our prize drawing by visiting our NCSAM resource center!
Thinking about pursuing a degree in cybersecurity? Get in touch with UD’s Cybersecurity Initiative! UD CSI is hosting a series of brown-bag discussions to mark October as the 15th annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). Topics include:
- Cybersecurity in the Workplace is Everyone’s Business (Oct. 11)
- Today’s Predictions for Tomorrow’s Internet (Oct. 19)
- The Internet Wants You: Consider a Career in Cybersecurity (Oct. 25)
- Cybersecurity Preparedness in Corporate America—What are we missing? (Oct. 30)
All sessions will take place from noon-1:00pm in the iSuite, 132 Evans Hall. For more information, visit the CyberSecurity Initiative website: https://csi.udel.edu/2018/10/csi-brown-bag-lunches/
Students can develop their cyber skills through these opportunities offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering:
- Tech Talk Tuesday (T3)—Co-sponsored by UD CSI… Join JPMC for a tech talk on hacking! (Oct. 23, 5pm)
- VIP Information Session—Students from all majors are needed for teams! (Oct. 24, 5pm)
Visit us during the Tech Open House on October 23! Be sure to stop by the Trabant Multipurpose Room between 11:00am and 2:00pm to explore IT’s many services, discuss how IT can help keep you secure, and enjoy a free lunch.