Career options in tech are abundant, but one unique aspect of tech that is worth considering is cybersecurity. Is cybersecurity in demand, and is there a demand for professionals trained in this field?
Absolutely. Anywhere that technology exists, criminals will try to exploit it for their own gain. Trained cybersecurity professionals know how to find those criminals, stop their actions, and create networks that are robustly protected against future attacks.
Here are five reasons that answer the question of “Why is cybersecurity important today?” If you’re thinking about a future career in tech, read on to discover why cybersecurity is worth your serious consideration.
Why is cybersecurity important today? Take a close look at the state of technology today. Our need for, and use of, technology has exploded in the past decade, and with every new piece of technology comes new risk in the cyber world.
Not only is the demand for technology increasing, but the type of technology being used is also changing. As new, faster tech hits the scene, more applications and business practices head online as well. This combination of fresh technologies and business practices serves to increase the number of ways cybercriminals can attack. The fact that the technology of our world is changing at such a rapid pace is a testament to the increasing need for trained cybersecurity professionals. Consider, for example, the 5G network. It has created a huge expansion in the demand for technologies and innovations. And, as a result, it’s created more vulnerabilities for cybercriminals to target.
Changes in technology also create changes in the way cybercriminals operate. Billions of devices are interconnected, building a complex Internet of Things that also creates an exploitable network for cybercriminals, one that allows them to automate their crimes. It takes just a few clicks and a basic understanding of artificial intelligence to create a plan that will hunt down and take advantage of vulnerabilities.
Cloud-based technology is becoming less of a novelty and more of a way of life, and this creates both greater vulnerability and greater demand for trained cybersecurity professionals. The Hosting Tribunal reports that by the end of 2020, cloud computing exceeded $330 billion as a market. Today, 90% of the world’s companies are in the cloud, and 60% of all workload processes use a cloud-based service.
These numbers significantly demondstrate modern business relies heavily on the cloud. If a cybercriminal were able to target and attack these cloud services, the action would have devastating effects not just on the targeted business, but also on today’s economic structure, as a whole.
And it’s not just business that is moving to the cloud. Federal agencies are starting to rely on cloud-based computing in growing numbers. In December of 2019, GAO found multiple vulnerabilities among cloud-based technology options being implemented by the government. Without trained cybersecurity professionals, not only is business at risk, so is our government.
For the average individual, it’s easy to think of cyber threats as a just another business or government problem. Yet this is simply not true. Everyone, from individuals to families to major corporations, can face negative consequences due to cybersecurity risks.
Cyberattacks can hurt individual people when cybercriminals target personal banking information and financial accounts. Money stolen in this way can take weeks or even months to be restituted when these vulnerabilities occur. When hackers attack the government, they can pull down vital services, such as power grids and other utilities, and leave people suffering as a result.
These criminals often attack businesses, as well, usually in the hope of scoring a big pay day. According to Entrepreneur, around 4,000 ransomware attacks happened every single day in 2016, and that number has gone up substantially. Today, Black Fog estimates cybercriminals attack businesses every 11 seconds. When businesses are attacked, the trickle-down effect is strong, because the employees and customers of those businesses are also impacted by the crimes.
Why do we need cybersecurity? The answer to this question is because no one is exempt from cyberattacks, and cybersecurity professionals are at the forefront of defending us from those attacks.
Another reason for the increased need for cybersecurity professionals is the extreme cost of cyberattacks. The total cost of cybercrimes by the end of 2021 is expected to be $6 trillion across the globe, according to the Data Privacy Group. That's a staggering number that has a major impact on the global economy.
Why is the cost so high? When a cyberattack occurs, it not only causes immediate damages, but it also has other costs. A company’s reputation will be damaged, for instance, as a result of the breach. Private or personal data is stolen, and that leads to costs for both the company and the consumers. It can take many hours to get that data back, if it can be recovered at all, and that adds to the cost. Embezzlement and fraud are common with these types of crimes, and most companies will experience a significant disruption in productivity as a result. Restoring the hacked data and systems takes time and financial resources, which adds to the costs even further.
Because of the tremendous cost of cybercrimes, companies are highly motivated to employ cybersecurity professionals to avoid becoming victims. As a result, the demand for these individuals continues to grow.
When considering all these facts, there can be only one conclusion: The demand for competent cybersecurity professionals is sky high. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts, one field that cybersecurity professionals often fill, make nearly $100,000 a year on average. By 2029, the number of professionals in this career field is projected to rise 31%. And this high demand is not expected to change as demand for technology continues to be strong.
Overall, cybersecurity is a field that is well-paid and will be in strong demand for years to come. That demand is not likely to change, as technology is here to stay in the modern world. As a result, cybersecurity is a path worth pursuing.
If you are interested in learning more about cybersecurity as a career path, consider the MS in Cybersecurity from Geneva College. This hybrid program offers the flexibility you need to enter this in-demand field with the right training. Reach out to an admissions counselor today to learn more about your options.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Mar 29, 2021In an era dominated by technology, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has increased significantly. Read here to learn about the M.S. in Cybersecurity program at Geneva!
Are you interested in continuing your education? Read here to learn how you can make a positive impact with a Master's in Counseling!
Are you interested in pursuing an MBA? Read here to learn about Geneva's MBA program!
Are you interested in earning a Master of Arts in Higher Education? Read here to learn about the program that Geneva offers!
Many students often have to balance their studies with a part-time or full-time job. There are several potential ways to help balance personal work life and school studies.
When you’re interested in how the mind and body both work, biopsychology could be the ideal undergraduate major for you. Biopsychology combines the study of biological processes with the study of behaviors, emotions, and other areas of psychology. This can help you understand how our brains and behaviors are connected. As a biopsychology student, you can expect to study genetics, adulthood, aging, biomedical ethics, cognition, and learning.
Are you wondering if graduate school might be right for you? Take a moment to consider these three questions...
A master’s degree allows you to advance your career, expand your knowledge, and develop skills. While in-person classes are the traditional way to earn this degree, online programs are also available. How is online school different than in-person school? With an online graduate degree program, you can earn your master’s degree from the comfort of home. Choosing an online school for your advanced degree offers other important advantages, as well. Keep the following in mind when deciding between in-person and online master’s degree programs.
When you’re thinking of continuing school to earn an advanced degree, Geneva College has a lot to offer. At Geneva, you’ll find several master’s degree programs to explore based on your educational goals and career path. Why is a master’s degree good? This advanced degree can provide you with some notable advantages in your career. When you choose a master’s degree program at Geneva, you’ll enjoy even more benefits. Keep the following in mind when you’re looking into options for earning your advanced degree.
How do you deal with stress in grad school? College can be a stressful time for many students, and grad school is no different. In fact, grad school might even be worse, thanks to the more intense academic pressures and (often) increased responsibilities outside the classroom.
Learn more about Geneva College.
Have questions? Call us at 724-847-6505.
© Geneva College | All rights reserved
