If you have a passion for all things web-related, there are many great careers that you are able to pursue. One that should seriously be considered by anyone seeking a new challenge is cyber security, which is a field heavily in demand with cybercrime on the rise, and there are many great reasons to consider a career switchinto this area. A career in cyber security can be a rewarding and lucrative one, plus those that already have strong knowledge of all things web-related will be in a good position to get started. So, why is this a field to consider for a new career? Read on for the main benefits of moving into a career in cyber security.

There Is A Mass Shortage

Currently, there is a mass shortage of cyber security professionals and a rush to fill these positions. Of course, there has been a shortage for a while, but the pandemic, rise of remote work, and development of advanced new threats have created an even greater need for cyber security across the board, and the lack of professionals is putting organizations at great risk. It is reported that there are around 3.5 million unfilled positions around the world in 2021, up from 1 million positions in 2014, so it should not be too challenging to find work. This means now is a good time to start a career in this field, but you will want to stand out from the crowd by earning a good online cyber security degree.

Earning Potential Is High

The earning potential is an important factor when choosing a career path, and the salaries that you can command in cyber security will certainly entice you. At the top end, an information security manager has an average salary of between $125,000 to $215,000. An entry-level cyber security analyst, meanwhile, has an average salary range between $64,418 and $77,464. This means that this is a good field to get into if you want to have a lucrative career, and those that rise to leadership positions with an online cyber securitydegree can earn a healthy amount for their work.

You Get Good Job Security

When you have a skill that is in demand in a field predicted to grow in the coming years, you can rest assured knowing that you have good job security. You cannot put a price on job security, and this is something that many people have discovered during COVID-19, so this could be a great career change if you have lost your job, or you are looking for something that has greater security than other roles. Cybercrime will only develop and get bigger, so you can be sure that cyber security professionals will always be required, and you should be able to find work without too much difficulty with a good online cyber securitydegree.

Flexibility

Following this point, you will also find that there is a great flexibility with a career in cyber security because it is a skill that is needed in all areas. For example, you can work from anywhere globally (and often remotely), and you can work as part of a large cyber security firm, as a self-employed specialist, or simply provide cyber security for a small business or nonprofit. This flexibility and freedom are a major pull for many people who like the idea of working in multiple industries, with many different people, and anywhere in the world.

You Get to Make A Positive Difference

Another major reason to consider a career in cyber security is that you know that you are making a positive difference in the world. Of course, having a high earning potential and job security is great, but when you get the job satisfaction from making a positive difference in the world, it can make all the difference to your life. In addition, cybercrime is a growing problem affecting businesses and organizations of all sizes worldwide and individuals in a data-driven time, so you can get satisfaction from protecting people against malicious attacks and knowing that you are playing a key role in the war on cybercrime.

There Are Many Areas to Pursue

Cyber security these days is an incredibly broad term, and there are many different areas to pursue and job titles to learn about. This means that it should not be too hard to find an area that interests you, and it is always possible to explore new areas if you want a new challenge. A few popular areas that are worth looking into if you are considering a career in cyber security include:

– Ethical hacking 

– Network security engineer

– Cyber security analyst

– System engineer

– Software developer

– Security architect

– Cryptographer

– Security consultant

It Is Always Changing

If you want a job that is different every day and is always changing, then this will be a good field for you. cyber security is constantly changing due to new threats being developed, new technological trends, and changing global habits. The pandemic has been a good example of this as people switching to remote work has led to an explosion in cyber attacks, which means that cyber security professionals need to be on their toes and committed to continuous learning. It is stressful and time-consuming to stay up to date with the latest developments, but this is also all part of the excitement and can make your job more engaging than your typical office job.

Unlimited Growth

Leading on from this, this also means that there is unlimited growth when it comes to cyber security. It is rare to work in an industry where there is no set ceiling, but cyber security is so broad and fast changing that it means that there are constantly new roles being created, skills to develop, and challenges to overcome. This means that the sky is the limit for a career in cyber security, and it is exciting to think about what the future holds for the industry.

You Get to Work with People & Independently

Another perk to a career in cyber security is that there is a good balance between working with other people and working by yourself. You will have to work as part of a team to deliver solutions to clients and work closely with people and explain what you are doing to offer protection, which means that communication skills are strong, and you must be able to connect and build relationships with people. However, while there is certainly a social side to cyber security, you will also be working independently a lot of the time, which is likely to involve remote work opportunities. This healthy balance between the two will work well for many people and could provide good job satisfaction.

You Can Earn Qualifications Online

While you might be able to find some work without a degree, you will find it much easier to secure work and the higher–paying positions with an online cyber security degree. A masters degree would be ideal because this will teach you everything that you need to know to protect businesses and individuals from modern–day threats and develop the key skills needed to secure leadership roles. Keep in mind that 1 in 4 employers look for someone with a masters online cyber security degree, so it is certainly worthwhile if embarking on a career in this field. Additionally, an online cyber security degree can be completed entirely online, which provides flexibility and can make it easier to fit into a busy schedule.

There Is A Strong Community

It is often not the top of people’s priorities when looking at a new career path, but you will find that cyber security is a field with a very strong community that can actually be a major plus. As a relatively new area but one that is incredibly important, broad, and required extensively around the world, cyber securityprofessionals enjoy engaging with one another and supporting each other. You will benefit from engaging with communities online, attending industry events, and generally networking at every opportunity. Not only is this helpful in terms of feeling supporting and getting advice, but you might also find that this helps to open up new career opportunities, especially when you can build and maintain a large global network of cyber security professionals.

It Is Never Dull