Why doesn’t the world have enough cyber security professionals? In 2019, cyber security engineers were recorded as the highest-paid and most-recruited IT role. Additionally, a survey shows that a cyber security salary is about 16 percent higher than that of a similar, non-security IT job.
These impressive salaries reflect a high demand for skilled security workers. According to Burning Glass Technologies, the number of security job postings has grown three times faster than overall IT positions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the industry will grow 31 percent between 2019 and 2029, which is significantly faster than other industries. Additionally, jobs data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics illustrates that the demand for cyber security professionals will jump to over 2.3 million jobs by 2030.
But what is cyber security?
Cyber security is the process of protecting internet-connected networks, software, and data from cyber-attacks, theft, and hardware damage. It is a fast-growing market, and it is expected to reach $539.78 billion by 2030.
Why? According to cyber security Ventures, cybercrime will cost us $10.5 trillion in global losses by 2025. Local governments, school districts, hospitals, and companies — from Experian all the way to Target — have all suffered from high-profile cyber attacks. Such attacks are incredibly costly, and they result in massive security breaches and data theft.
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Jobs and Salaries in Cybersecurity
Professional Services, Manufacturing and Defense, and Finance are the leading business sectors for cyber security professionals. According to Burning Glass Technologies’ latest research, Finance and Public Administration faces the most significant demand for cyber security workers. This makes sense, as they deal with ever-present and highly sophisticated threats.
Whereas security used to be just a single aspect of an IT worker’s job, employers are now hiring IT workers whose sole focus is cyber security. (Beyond compliance with best practices, risk management is also becoming an in-demand skill, as companies — especially those in the finance sector — respond to increased and evolved cyberattacks.)
Companies are now in demand of jobs ranging from security testers to analysts, developers, administrators, and managers. Listed below are are key job roles and their related average cyber security salary.
- Security Testers are often an entry-level role for both recent graduates and certified professionals. Instead of writing code, testers do things like poke and prod web apps to try and break them. The starting pay is around $80,000.
- Information Security Analysts search logs for evidence of an intruder lurking within the network. They work to prevent malware, viruses, denial-of-service, website hacks, and other attacks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this position has a median salary of about $107,000 (higher in California, New York, and Virginia).
- Security Software Developers (or Application Security Engineers) create new software to combat evolving threats. Today, this role is particularly focused on apps that operate within the cloud, seeing that more and more businesses are relying on distributed computing. According to data from ZipRecruiter, the average cyber security salary is about $117,000.
- Security Systems Administrators protect networks and systems from the threat of unauthorized access. According to Legal Jobs, 92 percent of malware is delivered via email, leaving business networks constantly at-risk. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary is $81,000.
Where is the Job Demand?
Of the 3.5 million cyber security openings in 2025, almost half a million will be in Europe. According to Cyber Security Ventures, nearly two million positions will be in the Asian-Pacific region, with over 1.5 million job vacancies in India alone.
London, specifically, is home to GCHQ, top universities, and the CyLon incubator, which has launched 83 cyber security startups since 2015. However, the UK still has a severe shortage of skilled, IT security workers.
Additionally, there is a growing demand in Canada, Ireland, Germany, Israel, and Nigeria.
Within the United States, the top five states for IT security jobs include Virginia, Texas, New York, California, and the District of Columbia. However, the demand is nationwide. The New York Metro Area has 20,000 openings, Maryland has 15,000 unfilled job openings, Massachusetts has 9,000 job openings, and Arizona has 7,000 job openings.
Employers in the Metro Philadelphia area are looking to fill 10,000 job openings, with the largest skill shortages being security analysis, applications, and cloud computing.
Furthermore, San Antonio, with its combination of education and military institutions, is recognized as Cyber City, USA, and coincidentally Texas is the state with the most potential for job growth within the industry.
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Gaining the Needed Skills in Cybersecurity
A reality of the cyber security job market is that many applicants don’t have the qualifications necessary to do the job. In fact, very few colleges offer dedicated programs in cyber security.
Almost six out of ten cyber security positions require at least one certification (for general IT jobs, only two out of ten require certifications). Entry-level workers typically need the Security+ certification, while more experienced workers can work towards CISSP, a certification that requires five years’ experience in the field.
Simplilearn training gives IT professionals the certifications that they need to succeed in today’s job market and earn impressive cyber security salaries.
- CompTIA Security+ Certification enables you to install and configure systems to secure applications, devices, and networks; conduct threat analysis and execute the right mitigation techniques; participate in and support risk mitigation activities; execute all activities with a clear and accurate understanding of applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
- Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH) Certification prepares you for a job as a computer network defense (CND) analyst, CND infrastructure support, CND incident responder, CND auditor, forensic analyst, intrusion analyst, or security manager.
- CISSP Certification Training is designed in line with the (ISC)² CBK 2018 requirements. The training helps you learn how to define the architecture, and to design, build, and maintain a safe and secure business environment for your enterprise using globally approved Information Security standards.
- CISA Certification Training, in concordance with the latest edition of the CISA exam, enhances your understanding of the IS audit processes and how to adequately protect it.
- Cybersecurity Expert Master’s Program includes six different courses and certificates. You will learn comprehensive approaches to protecting your infrastructure that include securing data and information, running risk analysis and mitigation, architecting cloud-based security, achieving compliance, and so much more.
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) Certification helps you to navigate security threats to your cloud storage by teaching you information security risks and security strategies.
- CISM Certification Training is for professionals who manage, design, oversee, and assess information security.
- COBIT 2019 Certification Training is a foundational course that offers an end-to-end business perspective for IT governance and demonstrates the role IT plays in creating value for businesses.
If you’re looking to gain a competitive edge when applying for these high-salary cyber security jobs, sign up today. We’d love to help you grow your career with our professional-grade certifications.
To learn more about the latest in the cyber security world, check out our free resources here.
