Common cyber security career myths debunked
Cyber security is one of the most popular careers today, and like many other things, there are myths about it too. In this article, we will tackle a few of the most common cyber security myths that people have regarding this career and will try to unfold the reality behind it.
- Myth: Cyber security is only for a selected few
It’s totally false to think that cyber security is not for everyone and only those with an IT background or computer science education can become cyber security professionals. It’s understandable that this myth has its roots in the fact that cyber security is a technical study. However, just like programming languages and coding can be learnt by anyone today, irrespective of their earlier education, cyber security can also be pursued by anyone. An ethical hacking course online is available for everyone to learn. In fact, cyber security is one of the few fields in which you don’t need computer science education or even IT experience to enter. You could be engaged in any profession in any corner of the world and could still create a career for yourself in cyber security. Most of the cyber security courses are just 40 hours long, which means that if you have the prerequisite knowledge, then you can get your certification in almost no time.
Truth: Anyone can learn cyber security.
- Myth: Cyber security is not mainstream
It’s a huge misconception that cyber security is not a reputed or well-known profession. It’s actually one of the highest grossing professions in information technology. Information analyst jobs are currently ranking number two in all IT jobs. Cyber security professionals don’t just get paid amazingly well, they are also insanely demanded all over the world, especially in IT companies.
Truth: Cyber security is a major IT career today.
- Myth: Cyber security jobs don’t pay well
Speaking of not paying well, when students are choosing a career, they are usually told to pursue traditionally well-paying jobs like chartered accountant, management or medical jobs. Even if IT jobs are mentioned in this category, software engineering gets all the limelight of a high-paying job. However, cyber security professionals are one of the highest paid professionals in the IT industry that even outrank other professions in terms of monetary compensation. CEH training or Certified Ethical Hacker training has become one of the most popular certification training among students because ethical hackers are paid $90,000 on average due to their heavy demand and low supply. Overall, cyber security professionals earn up to $200,000 easily with mid-level experience. Now that’s something to show the myth creators.
Truth: Cyber security jobs are one of the highest paid jobs in IT (with an amazing growth rate).
- Myth: Cyber security professionals won’t be needed in the future
You must’ve also heard this: we won’t need cyber security professionals in the future because we will automate security by then. However, if you think about it, any automation technology itself needs to be secured first. No matter how much advancement and innovation we face in the future, we will always need humans to protect our digital world from harm. We must never forget that it is ultimately the humans who create the faulty tech and it is the humans who try to harm them. Therefore, in terms of job security, nothing can beat cyber security. The unemployment rate of cyber security has been 0% for many years. In fact, if anything, this myth is totally the opposite of the truth. The heavily we depend on digital technologies, which is clearly what our future looks like, the more cyber security professionals we will need ultimately. And we can see this in the current job trends of the cyber security market as well.
Truth: Cyber security professionals have remarkable job security in the future.