Is Cybersecurity a Good Career?
The future of cybersecurity is looking very bright for job seekers in the tech industry. According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, the overall cost of cybercrime is expected to exceed $10 trillion within the next two years. As cyber threats grow, so does the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals.
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that cybersecurity job growth will increase by 35% over the next decade—much faster than most other industries. Currently, there is also a significant talent shortage, with more than 700,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions in the United States alone.
Beyond job security, cybersecurity careers also offer:
- Excellent salaries
- Flexibility to work remotely
- Plenty of opportunities for advancement
- The ability to work anywhere in the world
- Exposure to constantly evolving technology
- Strong work-life balance
- The option to become self-employed
What are the most common Cybersecurity career paths?
| ENTRY-LEVEL | MID-LEVEL | SENIOR-LEVEL |
|---|---|---|
| Security Specialist | Security Auditor | Security Manager |
| Security Administrator | Security Engineer | Security Director |
| Vulnerability Assessor | Information Security Analyst | Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) |
| Incident Reporter | Penetration Tester | Deputy CISO |
| Security Consultant | Incident Responder | |
| Security Analyst | Information Assurance Engineer | |
| Ethical Hacker | Cybersecurity Forensic Investigator | |
| Cryptographer | ||
The demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing throughout the state, the nation, and the globe.
- Growth Rates:
- U.S. News and World Report reported that the information security profession was growing at a rate of 36.5% through 2022.
- The U.S. Department of Labor projected that the profession would be among the top ten fastest-growing occupations, with a 35.5% growth rate between 2018 and 2028.
- Global Shortage:
- According to Cybersecurity Ventures, there were expected to be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide by 2021.
- Employers are struggling to find qualified workers to fill these workforce gaps.
- U.S. Workforce:
- The U.S. has nearly 1 million employed cybersecurity professionals.
- There are almost 500,000 unfilled positions across the country.
- California and Local Data:
- California has more than 72,000 open cybersecurity positions.
- San Bernardino County alone has nearly 1,600 openings (CyberSeek, Cybersecurity Supply and Demand Heat Map).
- Unemployment Rate:
- The cybersecurity unemployment rate was 0% in 2019, a level it has maintained since 2011.
Opportunities
| Job Title | Average Salary (2024) | Top Skill Requested | Total Job Openings (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $112,163 | Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | 26,958 |
| IT Auditor | $98,058 | Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) | 8,369 |
| Cybersecurity Manager/Administrator | $160,294 | Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | 20,649 |
| Penetration and Vulnerability Tester | $126,920 | GIAC Certifications, Offensive Security Certified Professional | 4,806 |
Source: Cyberseek’s Career Pathway Map (link)
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