Is A Job In Cybersecurity Your Next Move? Read These FAQs

Cyberattacks in the U.S. increased by 57% in 2022—with 2023 looking to be another banner year for cyber crime as the possibility of a global recession looms. With the average cost of a data breach expected to grow beyond $9.4 million—organizations are investing more resources into cybersecurity efforts to ensure they do not fall victim to one of these attacks.

As security leaders work to install their own firewall of qualified professionals to combat losses, the demand for cyber skills is at an all-time high. In September of 2022, there were 700,000+ open cyber positions in the U.S. Additionally, Gartner predicts cybersecurity spending will reach a whopping $187 billion this year—an 11% increase from what was seen in 2022. “These numbers are only expected to grow as more companies hire talent to help them be one step ahead of cyber criminals,” says Bob Keegan, Senior Vice President of Tandym Group’s Technology vertical.

In the disruption of today’s world, cybersecurity career opportunities are plentiful, but not every tech professional is informed on how they can find themselves in one of these roles (or even the extra perks they may come across). Here are some common FAQs from tech professionals about the cybersecurity space. These answers might surprise you.

What industries are actively recruiting cybersecurity professionals?

The three sectors most effected by cybercrime in 2022 were healthcare, education, and government—however all sectors are making a conscious effort to ensure they are protected.

“As a cybersecurity professional, you’ll have many opportunities to make an impact. At Tandym, we’re seeing hiring across the board—especially in financial services and insurance, healthcare, life sciences/pharma, and companies that specialize in technology,” says Bob.

Do I need a cybersecurity certification or degree to land a job?

“A common misconception in the industry is that you need a cybersecurity certification or degree in order to land a job as a cybersecurity professional, but that is not always true. While a cybersecurity certificate is helpful, it’s not mandatory,” says Bob. In an environment with such a high level of demand, there are many transferable tech skills that are highly sought out by Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and Cyber Managers. These include:

Network engineering skills
DevOps engineering experience in a cloud environment
System Administration skills in a cloud environment
Cloud infrastructure/engineer experience, including working with AWS or Microsoft Azure

Cybersecurity certifications, while come with a cost, can serve as an added bonus to expand on your preexisting skillset or get you the foundational requirements for a cybersecurity job. Obtaining these popular certifications can help give you credibility in the space:

Comp TIA Security+
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA)

What are the different cybersecurity paths I can take?

The cybersecurity space is just as diverse as technology! In other words, there are many areas where companies are looking to hire cybersecurity professionals. Three popular areas include:

Identity Access Management (IAM): This is a specialty used by organizations to put security measures in place to ensure information can only be accessed by the right people at the right times. If you’d like to get into this space, common IAM roles to keep an eye out for include:

IAM Architect
IAM System Engineer
IAM Access Control Specialist
IAM Administrator

Cloud security: This specialty embodies managing the policies, applications, technologies, and controls utilized by organizations to ensure their cloud infrastructure is stable and secure. Common roles in cloud security include:

Cloud Security Engineer
Cloud Security Analyst
Cloud security Architect

Penetration testing: Penetration testing is broad but may include companies hacking their own systems and firewalls to test for vulnerabilities across the organization or testing applications before they go into production. Common roles to keep an eye out for include:

Ethical hacker
Application Penetration Tester
Web Application Penetration tester
Vulnerability Engineer

What are the benefits of working in cybersecurity?

Because a cyberbreach can be detrimental to an organization, security leaders are willing to do what they can to entice professionals to come on board. Besides having an opportunity to make a huge impact on the safety of an organization’s data, you’ll see companies offering higher pay, and sought-after benefits such as flexible scheduling options and remote work.

What are ways I can find a job in cybersecurity fast?

Working with a recruiter who is an expert in the cybersecurity space can help you find a role and organization that would be the right fit for your skills. Besides offering advice on career paths, certifications, and industry trends—recruiters have connections with hiring managers and organizations looking for roles in these areas. Looking for a role in tech? Submit your resume today.

Search our open tech jobs