An increasing number of organizations are doing their business online. The internet revolution has simplified our lives and made it better. We can now access everything from the comfort of our homes. From apparel to medicines, everything can be delivered to our doorsteps at the click of a button. This has propelled the growth of many organizations but, at the same time, has attracted threats to security. Cybersecurity has become an integral part of every organization. Data threats faced by any company can damage its prospects of growing. The ease of online business has also resulted in threats from hackers.

In the blink of an eye, millions of bytes of data can be stolen. This makes the organizations vulnerable and leads to their downfall. Cybersecurity risks are threatening to collapse the IT infrastructure of many companies. According to a study report, nearly 83% of companies around the world face cybersecurity threats daily. Continuous surveillance is necessary to ensure that the IT integrity of a company is maintained. This can be done by employing highly skilled cybersecurity professionals who will safeguard the software of the company and prevent it from coming under the attack of hackers.

There has been an alarming rise in the level of cybercrimes. Many companies hesitate to invest in cybersecurity. As a result, they face irreversible damages to their IT infrastructure. The online presence of companies makes them increasingly vulnerable to threats and data breaches. This has compelled many organizations to invest in cyber-security professionals.

Why are cyber-security professionals in high demand?

Cybersecurity professionals ensure that the software of a company is always protected from hackers. They utilize their IT skills to devise fool-proof methods for companies using which they can prevent their sensitive data from getting attacked. In the past, many companies have come under fire by users whose data was breached and leaked. This created a bad reputation for the company and led to humongous losses. This could have been prevented if the companies had invested in skilled cybersecurity professionals who would have identified the loopholes in their system and devised ways to rectify them.

Very few companies used to invest in cybersecurity. That trend has been reversed now as an increasing number of companies are willing to spend millions in cybersecurity. So, if you are interested in taking up a role as a cyber-security professional, this is the best time to do so.

Why do you need a cyber-security job?

If you are considering stepping into the cyber-security world, you need to understand who can apply for such a job.

• If you are interested in developing codes and working with cyber-security tools, a job in cyber-security would be perfect for you.
• Cyber-security can be pursued by beginners too. So, even if you don’t have prior knowledge about cyber-security principles, you can start fresh.
• IT professionals wishing to boost their careers by getting a job as a cyber-security consultant can also shift to this stream.
• Receiving prior training before starting is recommended because you would get an idea about how the job is going to turn out for you.
• Being ready to face the challenge and adapting to them quickly is the main requirement of a cyber-security professional. You need to have quick responses to effectively thwart a data breach attempt.

What are the requirements for becoming a cyber-security professional?

A certification is a must-have if you want to start as a cyber-security professional. It will validate your credentials and make you well equipped to handle the challenges faced in the cyber-security sector. You must understand that having a normal bachelor’s degree is not enough. Almost everyone has a bachelor’s degree. To stand out from the crowd, you would need a certification that would make your skills recognizable. There are many certifications that you can obtain to become certified cybersecurity professional.

Cyber-security certifications

You can obtain the following certifications to become a cyber-security professional.

1. CompTIA Security+ certification.
This exam has no prerequisites as it is an entry-level exam.

2. Ethical hacking
Basic knowledge of IT domains is required for this certification.

3. CISA certification
You would need a minimum experience of 5 years in handling security firms to pass this examination.
4. CISSP
This is an expert level certification and requires five years of experience in IT security and risk management.
5. CISM
This is the master level of cybersecurity and requires 3 to 5 years of experience as an IT security manager.

Now that you know everything about a career in cyber-security get certified and build an illustrious career. The cybersecurity sector is set to grow exponentially in the coming years. This is your chance to utilize the benefits of a nascent industry.