There is a formula 📊that we must all consider when deciding which career path to follow. Interest + Demand + Pay. And even though the interest part of it must come from within, Thrivve can help you discover which industries are in demand and pay well.
Cybersecurity has become one of those professions that will always be needed because of the rise of the internet and the habit of saving sensitive information in the cloud. 🔒💻 In Canada, this profession’s demand was estimated at 50,000 by 2023 and is predicted to continue to increase. As for the pay, it will depend on the position and the industry. However, we can tell you that at the moment this article is being written, there is a Sr. Security Engineering Manager position listed for $220k /year. In some cases, senior positions in the security world can even go as high as $400k 💼.
We hope that by now we have piqued your interest 🤔🌟. If so, the following sections will tell you more about what is cybersecurity, what the career pathways you can pursue, and where you can begin 🎓👩💻
What is Cybersecurity - The Guardian of The Internet
Imagine the digital world as a city full of buildings filled with valuable information, research, personal data, and communication. Now, think of cybersecurity as the collective set of measures and strategies designed to protect these buildings from unauthorized access, data breaches, and malicious activities.
In more technical terms, cybersecurity involves the implementation of tools, protocols, and practices to secure computer systems, networks, and digital information. It encompasses a range of activities, including:
Access Control: Determining who gets access to what resources and under what conditions. It's like having secure locks on different rooms of a building, allowing only authorized individuals to enter.
Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems: These are like virtual security guards. Firewalls monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic, while intrusion detection systems alert administrators about potential threats or suspicious activities.
Encryption: Transforming information into a secret code that can only be understood by authorized users. It's similar to sending messages in a secret language that only you and your intended recipient can decipher.
Antivirus Software: Just like protecting your body from harmful viruses, this software defends your computer against malicious software and code that could harm your files and programs.
Incident Response: Having a plan in place for when something goes wrong. It's like having a fire drill so that everyone knows what to do if there's an emergency.
Security Audits and Assessments: Regularly checking the building’s security measures to identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement. It's like having safety inspections to ensure everything is up to code.
In essence, cybersecurity is the digital guardian 🔐 that ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information in the online world. It's about creating a safe and resilient environment where users can navigate, learn, and collaborate without the fear of digital threats jeopardizing their experience 🌐🛡️.
3 Ways to Get Into Cybersecurity
If you are interested in pursuing this career, there are basically three roads you can take:
Certifications
College diplomas
Bachelor’s degrees
Certifications will give you the skills you need to perform entry-level jobs that can help you get some much-needed experience in the field. College diplomas go one step further, developing a series of skills that can lead to jobs with growth opportunities. Finally, a bachelor’s degree is the option that will give you the best shot at occupying senior positions without having to spend 10 years in the online security world.
The image below displays some of the positions you can aspire to given the level of education you choose:
Where can you study Cybersecurity?
There are many schools where you can study a cybersecurity program. However, we want to highlight the Bachelor of Information Technology from Ontario Tech University. This program lets you major in Networking and Information Technology Security in the best environment to do so – an applied learning environment.
Throughout your major, you will have access to leading-edge technology and laboratories where you can apply core concepts in networking and get first-hand experiences with cryptography, malware analysis and forensics, among others.
What we believe adds even more value to this experience is that you will have the chance to pursue some much-demanded industry certifications during your program. Examples include Cisco, CompTIA, and (ISC)². Even though they will require you to put in extra hours, they will almost guarantee you a job upon graduation as they are not easy to get. Having gone through the same experience in my Engineering days, I recommend you attempt the certification exam of your interest during this time as you are completely immersed in the cybersecurity space and all topics are still fresh.
Finally, Ontario Tech has three networking communities you can be a part of to help you join the workforce and find support from fellow professionals. One of them specifically catered to women in tech.
If you are not sure what your next steps should be, you can contact us and we will connect you to the right people.
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