Jobs In Cyber Security

As hacks and data breaches continue to dominate headlines, it comes as no surprise that cyber security experts are among the most sought-after professionals. With very good pay, job security, and the allure of fighting on the front lines of cyber-warfare, the information security industry can seem nothing short of glamorous.

So what’s the catch? While cybercrime is very real, the prospective thrills surrounding the prevention of newsworthy data breaches are often overshadowed by reality. As with other jobs, work in the information security industry can be demanding, stressful, and routine.

Ultimately, when making any major career choice, it's essential to start with realistic expectations. To help, we’ll review the realities of jobs in Cyber Security: the good, the bad, and the ugly surrounding what can be a highly-rewarding career.

Cyber Security Salary, Growth, Demand, and the Power of Choice

Technological advances have made protecting systems against hackers, spyware, and viruses vitally important. Virtually every type of organization has confidential information stored on computer networks—professionals are needed to keep this vast amount of information safe. As the Internet grows, so does cybercrime.

Luckily for cyber security professionals, this generates great demand for jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of Information Security Analysts is projected to grow 37 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than average.

As the principals of supply and demand dictate, this also creates a significant earning potential for qualified individuals. The BLS reports a median annual salary of $86,170, or approximately $41.43 per hour.