If it’s possible that you would be interested in pursuing employment as an information security analyst, you might be wondering whether it would be beneficial to get a cyber security degree. Without a doubt, the answer to this question is yes. The following are 5 great reasons you’ll want to consider earning your degree in cyber security:
1. Cyber Security Professionals Earn High Salaries
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts were earning median annual paychecks of $92,600 as of the year 2016. Payscale.com reports that the average entry-level pay for information security analysts with experience in cyber security is $67,596 per year.
2. There Is Higher Demand than Supply for Information Security Analysts
Analysts at the US Department of Labor are forecasting a dramatic increase in the number of cyber security jobs that will be added to the US economy by the year 2024. They’re predicting a whopping 18 percent growth in the number of information security analyst jobs that will be available by that date.
3. Information Security Analysts Are Needed in Virtually Every Industry
Industry leaders across the globe are now storing significant amounts of their most sensitive data in computer-accessible databases. There are many advantages to computerized database systems, but the downside is the constant need to be vigilant for system vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers and data thieves.
US Department of Labor forecasters are predicting that the federal government, the healthcare industry and the computer systems design industry are all sectors that will be ramping up their hiring of information security analysts in the near future. Healthcare facilities are putting increasing numbers of their patients’ medical records online, which will result in a need for better security to protect their data from identity thieves and other malicious data predators. Computer systems design firms will need an estimated 36 percent more cyber security professionals than they employ now.
4. Employers Prefer to Hire Well-Educated Information Security Analysts
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor’s degree is the typical entry-level requirement for becoming an information security analyst.
If you do decide to earn a bachelor’s degree in cyber security, it’s a good idea to make sure you gain experience with a broad variety of other technological niches. You’ll be more readily employable if you take some classes that teach computer database management skills. Some candidates find they have been able to maximize their employment opportunities by earning a bachelor’s degree in a generalist computer related topic, gaining a year or more of work experience and earning a master’s degree in cyber security.
5. There Are Abundant Opportunities in the Field of Cyber Security for Promotion and Career Advancement
There are significant numbers of well-paying senior-level cyber security positions available. Many organizations hire information systems managers or chief security officers to supervise their staffs of information security analysts. Median earning potential for information systems managers was $135,800 per year as of 2016. Chief security officers often earn salaries that are even higher than this.
These are 5 of the most compelling reasons to consider majoring in information security. These aren’t the only reasons you might want to pursue a career in cyber security; additional motivators include a high level of personal job satisfaction and an interesting workload. Many information security analysts find the work to be intriguing and rewarding. If you think this is a field that would be a good match for your strengths and interests, a cyber security degree is likely to be an excellent investment in your future.
