Your 2023 Guide to Cybersecurity Careers
Explore career options in the growing field of cybersecurity with this library of resources.
![[Featured image] A cybersecurity professional in a white shirt stands in front of a laptop and wall monitor.](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/54fB406Hso74fOgx9wMccE/a61696f0795c5eff69d2dcd740e356da/GettyImages-1289906309.jpg?w=1500&h=680&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive&auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=1000&h=)
As more and more business is conducted on the cloud, cybersecurity has become a primary concern for companies across multiple industries. If you're interested in a fast-paced, well-paid career working to protect a company's valuable data, consider a career in cybersecurity.
To make it easier to take the next step, we've compiled a wealth of free cybersecurity resources covering career paths, popular credentials, and how-to guides for landing your next cybersecurity job. You can bookmark this page to refer to throughout your job search.
Cybersecurity job outlook
According to the State of Cybersecurity 2022 report from ISACA, 63 percent of surveyed enterprises have unfilled cybersecurity jobs. Over half of the reported difficulties are in holding on to qualified cybersecurity professionals [1]. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts (BLS) 35-percent job growth between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the average across all occupations [2]. Between October 2021 and September 2022, there were 190,000 openings for information security analysts. 579,736 additional openings requested cybersecurity-related skills [3].
Cybersecurity salary: How much can you make?
If generous financial compensation is a high priority in your career considerations, a career in cybersecurity could be a good fit. The median annual pay for information security analysts in the United States is $102,600, according to the BLS [2].
How to get a job in cybersecurity
Empower your job search with this collection of resources on getting started in cybersecurity:
Cybersecurity degrees and certifications
Fifty-six percent of cybersecurity specialists have a bachelor's degree, and 23 percent have an associate degree [4]. Relevant areas of study include computer science, computer information systems, and information technology. In cybersecurity, the right credential can help set you apart from other job seekers and make your resume more attractive to hiring managers. You can learn more about how to set yourself up for success with a degree or certification in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity career paths
Cybersecurity is a broad field with many areas of specialization. Whether you're looking for an entry-level job or ready to advance into a new area of information security, you have options.
Entry-level cybersecurity jobs
These are some job titles you might consider if you're just getting started in cybersecurity. Remember that many cybersecurity professionals get started in information technology (IT) roles to gain experience before moving into security:
professional certificate
IBM Cybersecurity Analyst
Get ready to launch your career in cybersecurity. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand role in the field, no degree or prior experience required.
4.6
BEGINNER level
Average time: 3 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
information security analyst, IT security analyst, security analyst, Junior cybersecurity analyst, Information Security (INFOSEC), IBM New Collar, Malware, Cybersecurity, Cyber Attacks, database vulnerabilities, Network Security, Sql Injection, networking basics, scripting, forensics, Penetration Test, Computer Security Incident Management, Application Security, threat intelligence, network defensive tactics, cyber attack, Breach (Security Exploit), professional certificate, cybersecurity analyst
Mid-level cybersecurity jobs
Consider these mid-level roles after gaining some work experience in security or IT:
specialization
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals. Construction of Secure Systems
4.6
INTERMEDIATE level
Average time: 8 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Software Testing, Cryptography, Usability, Penetration Test, Cybersecurity, Privacy, User Interface, Fuzz Testing, Buffer Overflow, Sql Injection, Number Theory, Public-Key Cryptography, Montgomery Modular Multiplication, Side-Channel Attack, Hardware Design, Cryptographic Hardware
Senior cybersecurity jobs
You'll find a variety of areas in which you could specialize as a cybersecurity expert. Here are a few advanced roles to explore:
professional certificate
Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Security Engineer
Advance your career as a Cloud Security Engineer
4.8
INTERMEDIATE level
Average time: 11 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Google Compute Engine, Google App Engine (GAE), Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Computing, Create and understand custom IAM roles, Secure a Kubernetes environment, Create and configure network peering
Other resources
specialization
Introduction to Cyber Security
Cyber Security. An introduction to modern information and system protection technology and methods.
4.7
BEGINNER level
Average time: 4 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Cryptography, Cybersecurity, Risk Assessment, Cyber Defense, Cyber Attacks, Information Security (INFOSEC), Denial-Of-Service Attack (DOS), Public-Key Cryptography
Article sources
ISACA. "State of Cybersecurity 2022, https://www.isaca.org/go/state-of-cybersecurity-2022." Accessed December 23, 2022.
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.
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