Careers in Cybersecurity

Summary

This video discusses the lucrative cybersecurity job market in the US, with an average salary and 750,000 open positions. It outlines paths to a cybersecurity career, including education options, certifications like CISSP and Security+, and resources like cyberseek.org and IBM's Coursera certificate. It also highlights career progression and job opportunities.

Takeaways

• 💼 The average salary of a cybersecurity professional in the US is impressive, indicating a lucrative career path.
• 📈 There are currently 750,000 open cybersecurity positions in the US, with the number increasing, highlighting a high demand for professionals in this field.
• 🎓 Training is crucial for entering the cybersecurity field, with options ranging from a Bachelor of Science degree to vocational training and bootcamps.
• 🔐 A cybersecurity concentration can be added to a degree in Computer Science or IT, providing a focused education in the field.
• 🏆 An associate's degree or vocational training can be a cost-effective entry point into cybersecurity, offering a shorter path to the workforce.
• 🏃‍♂️ Bootcamps provide intensive, short-duration training, making them an alternative route for quick entry into the cybersecurity profession.
• 📚 Certificates, some available for free online, can also serve as a stepping stone into the cybersecurity field, with IBM and Coursera offering such opportunities.
• 📄 Professional certifications are essential to prove qualifications, with CISSP (Certified Information System Security Professional) being the gold standard in the industry.
• 🔒 Security+ is a more entry-level certification compared to CISSP, requiring less experience and being more accessible for those starting their cybersecurity careers.
• 🌐 Cyberseek.org is a valuable resource for exploring career paths and certification paths in cybersecurity, providing insights into potential career progression.
• 📈 Coursera and IBM offer a free online certificate program that introduces the field of cybersecurity, making it accessible for those interested in starting a career in the field.

Q & A

What is the average salary of a cybersecurity professional in the US?

The script does not provide the exact figure for the average salary of a cybersecurity professional in the US, but it implies that it is a significant and attractive amount.

How many cybersecurity positions are currently open in the US?

There are 750,000 cybersecurity positions open in the US, and this number is increasing.

What are some common ways to get training in cybersecurity?

Training in cybersecurity can be obtained through a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or IT, an associate's degree, vocational training, a bootcamp, or a certificate program such as the one offered by IBM on Coursera.

What is the difference between a Bachelor's degree and an associate's degree in terms of cybersecurity training?

A Bachelor's degree typically requires four years of study and offers a broader education, while an associate's degree is a two-year program that provides a more focused and cost-effective entry into the field.

What is a cybersecurity bootcamp?

A cybersecurity bootcamp is an intensive, short-duration training program that focuses on specific skills and knowledge needed in the cybersecurity field.

What is the significance of the CISSP certification in the cybersecurity field?

The CISSP (Certified Information System Security Professional) is considered the gold standard in the cybersecurity field. It requires five years of experience and passing a comprehensive exam, making it a highly respected certification.

What are the requirements for obtaining a CISSP certification?

To obtain a CISSP certification, one must have five years of experience in the field, pass a multiple-choice exam, sign an ethics statement, be endorsed by an existing CISSP, and complete ongoing Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.

What is the Security+ certification and what are its requirements?

The Security+ certification is an entry-level certification that requires two years of experience and passing an exam with 90 questions. It is a more accessible certification compared to CISSP.

What are some other certifications that might be useful in the cybersecurity field?

Other useful certifications include the CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) for auditors and the CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) for managers.

What is the role of cyberseek.org in the cybersecurity career path?

Cyberseek.org is a website that provides resources and animations to help individuals explore career paths and certification paths in the cybersecurity field, starting from feeder roles to advanced positions.

What resources are available for someone interested in a cybersecurity job at IBM?

IBM offers a free online certificate program in collaboration with Coursera, which introduces the field of cybersecurity. Additionally, ibm.com/jobs is a resource where job openings at IBM are posted.

Outlines

00:00

📈 High Demand and Paths to a Cybersecurity Career

The first paragraph introduces the attractive salaries and growing number of job openings in the cybersecurity field, with 750,000 positions currently available in the US. The speaker aims to answer the common question, 'How can I get a career in cybersecurity?' by discussing the necessary training, credentials, and career paths. Training options include a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or IT with a cybersecurity concentration, an associate's degree, bootcamps, and free online certificates like those offered by IBM on Coursera. The cost and depth of these options vary, impacting job opportunities accordingly. The speaker emphasizes that while these paths differ, they all serve as viable entry points into the cybersecurity career space.

05:05

🔖 Credentials and Certifications for Cybersecurity

The second paragraph focuses on the importance of professional certifications to prove qualifications in the cybersecurity field. The Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) is highlighted as the gold standard, requiring five years of experience, an exam, an ethics statement, and endorsement by an existing CISSP. The Security+ certification is noted as a more accessible entry-level option, requiring two years of experience and a simpler exam. Other certifications like CISA and CISM are also mentioned as valuable credentials. The speaker emphasizes the role of these certifications in opening job opportunities and advancing in the cybersecurity career path.

🚀 Navigating Your Cybersecurity Career Path

This paragraph discusses the career progression in cybersecurity. It introduces cyberseek.org, a website that provides animations showing various career paths from entry-level to advanced positions. The site helps users understand how networking experience can lead to entry-level cybersecurity roles and subsequently to mid-level and advanced positions. The speaker recommends exploring this resource to identify personal interests and potential career trajectories within cybersecurity.

📚 Useful Resources for Cybersecurity Aspirants

The final paragraph offers additional resources for those interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career. Cyberseek.org is again highlighted for its career path explorations. The speaker mentions a free online certificate developed by IBM and Coursera, which introduces learners to the field of cybersecurity as analysts. For those specifically interested in jobs at IBM, the speaker directs viewers to ibm.com/jobs. The paragraph concludes with encouragement, noting the lucrative opportunities and abundance of positions in the field. The speaker invites viewers to like and subscribe for more content on cybersecurity.

Keywords

💡cybersecurity professional

A cybersecurity professional is an individual who specializes in protecting computer systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. In the context of the video, this term is central as it defines the career path being discussed. The video mentions the average salary of such professionals in the US, indicating a lucrative career option.

💡average salary

The average salary refers to the mean income earned by individuals in a specific profession. In the video, it is used to highlight the financial incentives of becoming a cybersecurity professional, suggesting that the field is not only in high demand but also offers competitive compensation.

💡open positions

Open positions refer to job vacancies that are currently available for employment. The video emphasizes the significant number of open cybersecurity positions in the US, underscoring the demand for professionals in this field and the opportunities available for those interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity.

💡training

Training in the video context refers to the educational and skill development processes necessary to become proficient in cybersecurity. The script discusses various training options, including Bachelor of Science degrees, associate degrees, bootcamps, and certificates, highlighting the importance of acquiring relevant skills and knowledge in the field.

💡credentials

Credentials are certifications or qualifications that demonstrate an individual's expertise in a particular area. The video mentions the significance of professional certifications like CISSP and Security+ in validating a cybersecurity professional's qualifications and enhancing their employability.

💡CISSP

CISSP stands for Certified Information Systems Security Professional, which is a highly recognized certification in the cybersecurity field. The video describes it as the 'gold standard' and discusses its requirements, such as five years of experience and passing a comprehensive exam, indicating its value in the industry.

💡Security+

Security+ is an entry-level certification mentioned in the video that is less demanding than CISSP, requiring only two years of experience. It is a stepping stone for those looking to enter the cybersecurity field and demonstrates a foundational level of knowledge and skills.

💡career path

A career path outlines the progression of roles and positions one might hold over time in a specific field. The video uses the term to discuss how individuals can advance in the cybersecurity field, starting from entry-level positions to more advanced roles, and suggests resources like cyberseek.org for further exploration.

💡cyberseek.org

Cyberseek.org is a website mentioned in the video that provides resources and information on cybersecurity career paths and certifications. It is highlighted as a valuable tool for individuals interested in exploring and planning their career in cybersecurity.

💡certificate

In the context of the video, a certificate refers to a formal document or recognition of having completed a specific training program. The script mentions certificates like the one offered by IBM through Coursera, which can be a cost-effective way to gain entry into the cybersecurity field.

💡IBM

IBM, or International Business Machines Corporation, is a multinational technology company that is mentioned in the video as offering cybersecurity certificates and job opportunities. The video suggests visiting ibm.com/jobs for those interested in pursuing a career with IBM in the cybersecurity domain.

Highlights

The average salary of a cybersecurity professional in the US is a notable number.

There are currently 750,000 open cybersecurity positions in the US, with the number increasing.

Training is a critical component for entering a cybersecurity career.

A Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or IT with a cybersecurity concentration is a traditional path.

An associate's degree or vocational training can serve as a cost-effective entry point.

Bootcamps offer intensive, short-duration security training.

Certificates, some available online for free, can be a low-cost entry into the field.

Professional certifications are essential to prove qualification for cybersecurity jobs.

CISSP is considered the gold standard certification in cybersecurity.

Security+ is a more entry-level certification with a lower experience requirement.

CISA and CISM are other certifications for specific roles like auditors and managers.

Cyberseek.org is a valuable resource for exploring career and certification paths.

Networking experience can lead to entry-level cybersecurity positions.

Career paths in cybersecurity can be visualized and explored through cyberseek.org.

Coursera and IBM offer a free online certificate program in cybersecurity.

IBM's job portal is a direct resource for finding cybersecurity job openings.

There is significant financial potential and job availability in the cybersecurity field.

Transcripts

Take a look at those two numbers.

The first one is the average salary of a cybersecurity professional in the US.

Nice numbers.

The second one is the number of positions that are open in the US.

750,000.

And the good news is it's increasing.

The number one question I get on my LinkedIn after people see these videos is "How can I get a career in cybersecurity?"

So I'm recording this video to give you an idea-- some of the answers to that.

So one I want to provide you with are some of the things that will get you to there, that point.

So it involves training, it involves credentials, it involves a career path,

and then ultimately state to the end and I'm going to show you some resources about how you can go collect your version of this as well.

So, first of all, let's start off with training.

So what do you need to know in terms of being a cybersecurity professional?

Well, the training aspect, one of the options that's been the traditional one, this is the one that I went through,

but not everyone has to do this, is you're going to see Bachelor of Science in something like Computer Science,

or IT--some of those related fields.

And then maybe you add on to that an additional cybersecurity concentration.

So I teach at a local university and I teach people on that cybersecurity concentration.

Another path is an associate's degree.

So here you're talking about probably a two-year degree or some sort of vocational training.

And this is going to be something that's going to cost less and still could be a valid entry point.

For some folks, it's going to be taking a bootcamp.

So this is a very specific, intensive, short duration security training.

And then finally, an option you can consider-- and some of these are available online and they're free --is a certificate of some sort.

In fact, IBM offers one of these from an organization called Coursera.

So if you think about this, this is going to be your most expensive of the options,

a little bit less, a little bit less, all the way down to in some of these cases, it's zero.

Now, of course, what you're spending is going to have something to do with the kinds of jobs and doors that get open for you.

So I'm not going to say all of these lead to the same place,

but they're all different entry points into the cybersecurity career space, so they all should be considered.

Now, the next thing I'm going to talk about is credentials.

So what kind of things do you need to do to get the job?

You've got the training now you have to prove that you're qualified for the job.

And the most common of these are professional certifications.

The one that's considered the gold standard in the security space is a thing called a CISSP:

Certified Information System Security Professional.

That's the one that most of the jobs are looking for.

It's not an entry level cert, though.

In order to get this, it requires five years of experience in the field,

it requires that you pass an exam that's about 100 to 150 questions, multiple choice.

By the way, back in the day when I took the exam, it was 250 questions.

So, thankfully, for those of you coming along, it's gotten easier.

There's an ethics statement that you have to sign off on.

There is also an endorsement, so you need an existing CISSP to endorse you.

And then there's ongoing CPE, in other words, education credits that you need to be able to get.

This is, again, the one that's in most demand, but it's not for entry level folks to be able to get all of these things.

The next one, though, that is a more entry level cert is Security+.

Security+ has a lower bar to meet-- it's two years of experience.

There's an exam.

There's 90 questions on the exam.

So that just gives you kind of a little bit of an idea.

So it's not for someone that's brand new, but it's not the same high bar.

A lot more people have Security+ than have CISSP, and jobs are offering positions for people that have that level.

Some other certs that you might consider-- the CISA for auditors, the CISM for managers.

There's a number of different certificates and credentials that could be useful,

but those are some of the ones that you might want to consider.

Now, how about a career path?

Once you've got the training, you've got the certs, you've got the credentials, what are you going to do in terms of your career?

Where does all of this lead?

Well, there's a great website called cyberseek.org.

And it has some nice animations.

You're going to see an example right here where you can start off with a feeder role.

So, an example, if you start with networking experience and then from there you can lead to an entry level cybersecurity position.

And then from there you can see what sort of mid-level cybersecurity positions that might lead to,

and then ultimately what sort of advanced positions all of this could lead to.

So that's a great resource for you to go and explore and look and see

what kinds of things you're interested in and where all of this can lead.

Finally, I told you I would give you some resources.

What kinds of things are out there to help you once you want to try to do something like this?

Well, I already mentioned one, and that's cyberseek.org,

which again allows you to explore these career paths and certification paths and things of that sort.

Another really good one is from Coursera and IBM.

IBM worked with Coursera to develop a certificate for an example like this,

an online cert doesn't cost you anything to do and it will introduce you to the field of cybersecurity as an analyst.

And then finally, a place like ibm.com/jobs.

If you are interested in a cybersecurity job at IBM,

and again, I get these questions all the time on LinkedIn, and this is my answer to folks.

Go look there, that's where we post all of our openings.

And of course, there are a lot of others out there as well.

So the good news is there's lots of money to be made.

There are a lot of positions to be filled.

If you want some of this, this is how you get it.

Thanks for watching.

If you found this video interesting and would like to learn more about cybersecurity,

please remember to hit Like and Subscribe to this channel.