5 Most In-Demand Cybersecurity Skills & Jobs
Career Advice, Employee Insights, Job Seekers
As new technologies emerge, cybersecurity professionals must adapt to meet the challenges posed by new methods of targeting sensitive data and mission critical systems. Because of this shifting balance, cybersecurity has become a major focus for businesses of all sizes and industries, resulting in an increasing demand for skilled tech professionals in this field. Here are the five most sought-after skills in cybersecurity and related roles that are in demand now:
Penetration Testing
Penetration testers, also known as pentesters or ethical hackers, play a vital role in strengthening cybersecurity by simulating attacks. Pentesting is an essential cybersecurity skill because regular security assessments help proactively identify vulnerabilities before they become entry points for cyberattacks. Penetration testers must stay on the cutting edge by maintaining a strong understanding of the latest hacking tools, programming languages, and networking protocols. Tech professionals with experience in penetration testing should showcase certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).
- In-Demand Jobs: Penetration Tester; Director of Cybersecurity; Enterprise Security Architect; Cybersecurity Engineer; Vulnerability Analyst; Red Team Operator
Cloud Security
As businesses migrate operations to cloud platforms, securing these environments has become crucial to everyday operations. Tech professionals with expertise in cloud security ensure that sensitive data stored in the cloud is protected against breaches and unauthorized access. They are responsible for configuring secure cloud infrastructures, ensuring compliance with data regulations, and monitoring for potential threats. Cloud security specialists also collaborate with cloud service providers to integrate security solutions tailored to specific business needs. Tech professionals in this field frequently hold certifications such as AWS Certified Security – Specialty, Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate, or Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP).
- In-Demand Jobs: Cloud Security Engineer; Cloud Security Architect; Cloud Solutions Engineer; DevSecOps Engineer
Incident Response
When an organization experiences a cybersecurity breach, an Incident Response (IR) team is usually responsible for managing the situation and directing next steps to mitigate the impact. Tech professionals experienced in incident response work with the rest of the IR team to identify, contain, and eliminate the threat. These experts must be able to work under high pressure and utilize a deep understanding of attack vectors, malware analysis, and forensic investigation techniques as part of the organization’s response. After the incident has been resolved, IR experts also document the event and provide recommendations to prevent future attacks. Incident Responders often pursue certifications such as Certified Incident Handler (ECIH) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) to demonstrate their skills.
- In-Demand Jobs: Incident Manager/Incident Technical Lead; Digital Forensics Analyst; Threat Analyst; Security Analyst; Security Architect
Security Compliance
Tech professionals focused on security compliance are critical in today’s business world because they ensure that organizations adhere to industry-specific data security regulations such as CCPA, CPRA, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. Security Compliance Officers are typically responsible for developing and implementing security policies and frameworks that align with all legal requirements. They also conduct regular audits and assessments to ensure that the company remains compliant. As governments and industries introduce more stringent cybersecurity and data regulations, demand for Security Compliance Officers and related roles continues to rise. These tech professionals often hold certifications like Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC).
- In-Demand Jobs: Technology Risk Compliance Manager/Officer; IT Security Compliance Auditor; Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Analyst; Security Analyst; Security Architect
Network Security
IT professionals such as Network Security Engineers work to protect an organization’s internal networks from cyberthreats. As the complexity of corporate networks grows, so does the need for robust security measures to guard against increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats like data breaches, denial-of-service attacks, phishing/smishing, and other forms of unauthorized access. These tech professionals design, implement, and maintain security solutions like firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems (IDS) to protect the company’s data. They also continuously monitor network traffic to detect and respond to suspicious activities. Certifications like Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security and CompTIA Security+ are common for tech professionals that specialize in this field.
- In-Demand Jobs: Network Security Administrator; Network Security Engineer; Information Security Analyst; Firewall Engineer
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