Cybersecurity Careers Are Experiencing a Fundamental Shift Right Now.

Summary

In 2024, the cybersecurity industry faces a shift with layoffs impacting professionals. Despite job openings in government, critical infrastructure, and healthcare, there's a scarcity of entry-level positions due to high barriers to entry. The job market is competitive, with experienced individuals competing for limited roles. Companies prioritize profitability over growth, leading to reduced budgets and less willingness to train new hires. AI's role is expanding, with a focus on automation and efficiency, potentially offloading repetitive tasks. The speaker suggests focusing on problem-solving skills and leveraging curiosity to stay relevant in this evolving landscape.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The cybersecurity industry is experiencing a fundamental shift in 2024, with a focus on layoffs and changing perspectives on security practices.
• 💼 There is a prioritization of profitability over growth in companies, which affects the cybersecurity sector's approach to hiring and training new personnel.
• 🔒 Security solutions and departments are seen as expenditures rather than revenue generators, creating friction within companies' financial strategies.
• 📈 The job market is highly competitive due to a mix of new graduates and experienced professionals competing for a limited number of cybersecurity positions.
• 🛡️ Barriers to entry in cybersecurity and the limited experience of entry-level candidates contribute to the complexity of the job market.
• 🤖 The role of AI in cybersecurity is growing, with companies looking to automate tasks and do more with less, potentially impacting job roles.
• 🛠️ The speaker suggests focusing on problem-solving skills rather than just obtaining certifications as a strategy for career advancement.
• 💡 Emphasizes the importance of curiosity-driven learning and leveraging opportunities to stay relevant in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
• 🚫 Advises against being a victim of self-doubt and impostor syndrome, encouraging continuous learning and trust in the process.
• 🗣️ Invites viewers to share their thoughts and experiences regarding the changes in the cybersecurity industry, fostering a community discussion.

Q & A

What is the speaker's perspective on the cybersecurity industry in 2024?

The speaker feels jaded and believes there is a fundamental shift happening in the cybersecurity industry, with companies prioritizing profitability over growth and impacting cybersecurity professionals through layoffs.

Why are cybersecurity companies and other companies in the technology industry issuing layoffs?

The speaker suggests that the layoffs are due to a shift in focus towards profitability over growth, which means companies are less willing to expand or invest in onboarding and training new individuals.

Are there still opportunities for cybersecurity professionals despite the layoffs?

Yes, the speaker mentions that there are still open positions in government jobs, critical infrastructure, and healthcare, indicating that there is still demand for cybersecurity professionals in certain sectors.

What does the speaker identify as a significant barrier to entry for individuals starting a career in cybersecurity?

The speaker identifies the complexities and barriers to entry in cybersecurity as significant challenges, especially for entry-level candidates who have limited experience.

How does the job market dynamic within the cybersecurity industry affect job seekers?

The job market dynamic, with a mix of new graduates, entry-level, mid-level, and senior level individuals competing for jobs, has made the market extremely competitive, giving employers more leverage and making it harder for job seekers.

What role does the speaker believe AI plays in the current shift in the cybersecurity industry?

The speaker believes that AI is a fundamental factor in the shift, as companies are looking to automate repetitive tasks with AI, which could lead to offloading some of the work previously done by individuals.

What advice does the speaker give to individuals who are concerned about the changes in the cybersecurity industry?

The speaker advises focusing on problem-solving and leveraging curiosity to learn and adapt to new challenges, rather than just chasing certifications or training courses.

How does the speaker suggest overcoming impostor syndrome and self-doubt in the cybersecurity field?

The speaker encourages individuals not to be limited by self-doubt and to trust the process of learning and growing in the field, despite the challenges and the fear of impostor syndrome.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the cybersecurity industry?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation, suggesting that individuals should find opportunities to solve problems and stay curious in their learning journey.

What does the speaker encourage the audience to do in response to the changes in the cybersecurity industry?

The speaker encourages the audience to share their thoughts, experiences, and opinions on the changes in the cybersecurity industry, fostering a dialogue and understanding of the evolving landscape.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Shift in Cybersecurity Industry Dynamics

The speaker expresses a sense of jadedness in the cybersecurity industry for 2024, noting a fundamental shift. They mention ongoing layoffs in the tech industry, which is affecting cybersecurity professionals. Despite this, there are still open positions in government, critical infrastructure, and healthcare sectors. The speaker highlights the complexities and barriers to entry for those starting in cybersecurity, as well as the competitive job market due to the influx of new graduates and experienced professionals competing for a limited number of roles. They also discuss the impact of companies prioritizing profitability over growth, leading to a decrease in budgets for security tools and programs. The speaker speculates that AI might be a contributing factor to this shift, as companies look to automate repetitive tasks and do more with less, which could potentially change the roles and expectations of cybersecurity professionals.

05:01

💡 Embracing Change and Problem-Solving in Cybersecurity

The speaker suggests a proactive approach to the changing cybersecurity landscape by focusing on problem-solving and leveraging opportunities. They advocate for a career centered around addressing problems rather than just accumulating certifications. The speaker encourages viewers to pursue their interests and好奇心 (curiosity), and to continue learning and trusting the process despite the challenges and self-doubt that may arise. They conclude by inviting viewers to share their thoughts and experiences in the industry, indicating a desire for dialogue and understanding of the broader perspective on the cybersecurity job market and its evolution.

Keywords

💡Cyber Security

Cyber security refers to the practice of protecting internet-connected systems, including hardware, software, and data, from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. In the video, the speaker discusses the current state of the cyber security industry in 2024, noting layoffs and a shift in how companies approach security. This is a central theme as it sets the context for the challenges and changes within the industry.

💡Layoffs

Layoffs are a reduction in the workforce, often due to economic downturns or company restructuring. The script mentions that cyber security companies, along with others in the technology sector, have been issuing layoffs, which is impacting cyber security professionals. This is a key point that highlights the changing job market dynamics within the industry.

💡Job Market Dynamics

Job market dynamics refer to the interactions of supply and demand for labor and the factors that influence these interactions. The speaker describes an interesting and competitive job market within the cyber security industry, where there is a mix of new graduates, entry-level, mid-level, and senior professionals competing for jobs. This concept is crucial as it illustrates the challenges faced by job seekers in the field.

💡Profitability over Growth

When companies prioritize profitability over growth, they focus on maximizing profits rather than expanding their business. The script suggests that this mindset has led to a decrease in the willingness of companies to onboard and train new security personnel or to increase their budget for security programs. This concept is significant as it explains one of the reasons behind the observed layoffs and hiring trends.

💡Security Solutions

Security solutions are products, services, or strategies designed to protect against threats and vulnerabilities. In the context of the video, the speaker mentions that most security solutions are expenditures for a company, not revenue generators. This point is important as it underscores the financial challenges faced by companies when investing in security.

💡Barriers to Entry

Barriers to entry are obstacles that make it difficult for new entrants to compete in an existing market. The script discusses the complexities and barriers to entry for those looking to start a career in cyber security, which contributes to the scarcity of entry-level positions and the competitiveness of the job market.

💡AI (Artificial Intelligence)

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. The speaker believes that AI is one of the fundamental factors contributing to the shift in the cyber security industry, as it offers automation and enhancement in areas like detection, red teaming, and governance, risk, and compliance. AI is presented as a key driver of change in how companies approach security.

💡Problem Solving

Problem solving is the process of finding solutions to problems or challenges. The speaker encourages focusing on problem-solving skills rather than just obtaining certifications. This is a central message of the video, suggesting that individuals who can solve problems effectively will find more success in the competitive job market.

💡Impostor Syndrome

Impostor syndrome is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a 'fraud'. The speaker acknowledges this phenomenon, advising against letting self-doubt limit one's progress in the field of cyber security. This concept is relevant as it addresses the emotional challenges faced by professionals in the industry.

💡Trusting the Process

Trusting the process means having faith in the steps one is taking towards a goal, even when the outcome is not immediately clear. The speaker encourages viewers to continue learning and developing their skills, trusting the process despite the challenges and uncertainties in the industry. This idea is presented as a motivational message to persevere and adapt to the changing landscape of cyber security.

Highlights

In 2024, the cybersecurity industry is experiencing a shift with ongoing layoffs impacting professionals.

Layoffs are primarily in the technology industry, but there are still open positions in government, critical infrastructure, and healthcare.

There's a scarcity of entry-level cybersecurity positions due to complexities and barriers to entry.

Companies are approaching security differently, viewing it from a budgetary perspective and considering the value added by cybersecurity professionals.

Publicly listed companies are prioritizing profitability over growth, which affects their hiring and training of new security personnel.

The job market is crowded with experienced individuals competing for jobs, making it highly competitive.

Barriers to entry for cybersecurity and limited experience of entry-level candidates create challenges in the job market.

Employers have more leverage due to the competitive job market, allowing them to be more selective.

AI is in its infancy in security, but it's contributing to the industry's shift towards doing more with less.

AI is enhancing detection, red teaming, governance, risk, and compliance in cybersecurity.

Companies are looking to automate menial or repetitive tasks with AI, offloading them from individuals.

The speaker suggests leveraging and learning as a way to find opportunities in the cybersecurity landscape.

Focusing on problem-solving rather than certifications can lead to more success in the cybersecurity field.

The speaker encourages overcoming self-doubt and continuing to learn and trust the process in cybersecurity.

The speaker invites comments and opinions on the perceived fundamental shift happening in the security industry.

Transcripts

all right so I don't know about you but

in 2024 in the cyber security industry

I've been feeling jaded uh maybe perhaps

there's this fundamental shift happening

for the first time in my career what do

I mean by this well in 2024 we're

continuing to see layoffs issued by

cyber security companies and companies

in general which are impacting cyber

Security Professionals now this is

primarily in the technology industry

it's been happening last two years and

the technology industry doesn't

represent all Industries there's still

cyber security positions opened for

government jobs critical infrastructure

Healthcare and there there's certainly a

lot of scarcity in need with the

addition of the complexities and

barriers to entry to get started in

cyber security on an entry level uh and

then you compound the fact that there is

this interesting job market Dynamic

within our industry I think I think that

perhaps we're experiencing a fundamental

shift in how companies are approaching

security how they view it from a

budgetary perspective as well as how

they see cyber security practitioners

and professionals adding value to their

respective cyber Security Programs why

do I feel like we're experiencing this

fundamental shift well I think there's

there's a multitude or compounding

factors it's not just like one and this

is kind of just like what's rambling in

my head specifically

uh first is like you look at companies a

lot of them specifically publicly listed

companies are searching for

profitability over growth what this

means in the security industry is that

perhaps cyber security companies and

then companies in general who are hiring

security Personnel are not looking to

expand or perhaps have as much of a

willingness to onboard and train new

individuals uh or they're not increasing

or they're decreasing their budget for

whether it's new tools they're

developing programs whatever it is

basically lots of companies are

prioritizing profitability over uh

growth ultimately this creates a sense

of friction within security because most

Security Solutions or departments

programs are expenditures for a company

they're not Revenue generators next is

the job market with all of these layoffs

what we've seen is this mesh of new

graduates entrylevel mid-level and

senior level individuals who have many

years experience perhaps competing

for a wide array of different jobs we

have seen senior positions or people who

have experience looking for just any

type of job within the job market uh the

cyber security job market is already

crowded with a lot of experienced

individuals add on top of that the

barriers to entry to get started in

cyber security The Limited experience of

entry level candidates and you're

creating just a really interesting job

market which is extremely competitive uh

and that allows the employers to be more

picky and have more leverage over job

Seekers now I I think that Infamous AI

question I think that we're still in the

infancy of AI even in security but um

even with all of the buzz workor words

of AI and all the things that we're

seeing develop in this industry I do

believe that the fundamental one of the

fundamental factors in this shift has to

do with AI and how companies are

approaching this whole Mantra of do more

with less and what you can't do automate

it with AI if you can with the

continuous Innovative agile innovation

of AI the company and startups that are

happening and the overall landscape of

what's happening I think that right now

ai is providing a sense of enrichment

for security it's it's providing

enhancement or better telary for

detections red teaming even governance

risk compliance it's providing a sense

of

automation even lowlevel automation for

security practitioners but what I do

think that we're experiencing is this

shift that companies are looking to to

offload perhaps some of the menial or

repetitive tasks

to AI agents rather than an individual

who comes in and perhaps just like looks

at alerts so I'm not trying to

fearmonger or gatekeep here with

security um right now what I'm trying to

say is I do think that there is a

fundamental shift happening and I think

a lot of individuals can see that if you

believe maybe what I'm saying has some

sort of Truth what can we do well I

think there's a multitude of things of

course that we can do one of the things

that I'm trying to implement this summer

into my learning routine is leverage and

learn what I mean by this is instead of

looking at the overall job market and

Tech landscape as pessimistic as

something that's going to contract I'm

just trying to find Opportunities where

I can continue to leverage and solve

problems and that specifically leads me

in into solving problems centering your

career around problem solving rather

than just saying you got an XYZ

certification I mean there's great

things getting a certification if you

Center your career around problem

solving you can find a problem is as

simple or as complex and and provide a

perspective and work ethic towards

whatever that problem is you I think

that you will find more success than

just continually trying to go get a cic

ation or take this influencer course and

then you're doing Sans training and

basically what I'm trying to say is try

to find something that Sparks your

curiosity and leverage and learn in that

problem space ultimately in this

rambling of a video you can't be a

victim of your own self-doubts even

though impostor syndrome it's Infamous

and it happens to a lot of us myself

included right now uh we can't let this

be a way of just saying I'm done I'm

throwing in the towel I'm not going to

move forward with cyber security it's

hard to do but try not to be limited by

your own self-doubt if there is a plan

that you have maybe an underlying desire

to go out there and learn you have to

continue to do that with a sense of

trusting the process so what did you

extract from this rambling of a video

probably nothing I do think that there

is a fundamental shift happening in

security right now what are your

thoughts I mean uh if you're in the job

market right now or perhaps you have a

job what what have you been experiencing

within your own company that you're

you're working for or just overall

experiences with this industry let me

know in the comments below I'm

interested to hear about people's

opinions on this and yeah until the next

time you know what it is have a good day