There are countless reasons why pursuing an information security degree is worth the investment. Let’s take a look at some of those reasons.
Indeed, technology brings immeasurable benefits to our lives. Companies rely heavily on technology to carry out business processes. Hence, it’s crucial that everyone must uphold information security (infosec). Even big companies didn’t survive breaches. For instance, Marriot International, T-Mobile, and Google were all victims of data breaches in recent years.
Even the healthcare industry is not safe from such attacks. Several hospitals and healthcare companies suffered from ransomware. Attacks like this affect vital aspects of our lives.
The Need For Information Security
It’s no surprise that the concern of companies grows. Statistics justify those fears. For instance, a McAfee report showed that cybercrime costs an estimated $445 to $608 billion worldwide each year. Furthermore, the need for information security professionals is greater than ever.
By now you must be fully aware of the news headlines about data breaches. Does pursuing a career in information security interest you? Are you unsure if investing in an information security degree is worth it?
Facts That Support The Demand For Information Security Degree Holders
The facts you’ll read below will help you make the right decision for your future.
Job vacancies are on the rise
Of course, one of the main reasons to pursue a degree is to land a great job. You surely don’t want to invest time and money toward a degree that leads to a dead end. Passion is one thing we strongly consider but that’s not the top 1 reason to pursue a degree.
Fortunately, the infosec field offers tons of opportunities. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment in information security analyst jobs will grow to 28% by 2026. That is more than twice than all occupations! Moreover, BLS projects that jobs in computer systems design and related services will grow by 56% by 2026.
All industries need infosec professionals
The technology field is not the only one that needs infosec professionals. In fact, almost every company needs at least some sort of infosec services. Hence, you have millions of companies to choose from in your job hunt. Whatever industry it is – from education to insurance to law enforcement – every industry needs your services.
BLS notes that the finance and healthcare industry has an increasing need for infosec professionals. The finance industry needs to uphold infosec at all costs. Likewise, the healthcare industry will do whatever it takes to secure patients’ privacy.
However, there is a great shortage of infosec professionals. According to research, there is a shortage of about 2.93 million qualified infosec professionals. Indeed, unemployment is not a problem in the infosec field.
Cybersecurity professionals are well-rewarded
Due to the great shortage, cybersecurity professionals are highly compensated. They post a 9% salary premium over IT jobs in general. Take a look at these numbers.
- $96,152 is the median salary for an IT Security Specialist
- $94,716 is the average annual salary for cybersecurity jobs across the U.S.
- $82,565 is the average salary for an entry-level Cybersecurity Analyst
- $96,478 is the median salary for a Cybersecurity Engineer
Those are just a few jobs in the infosec field. Sounds great, isn’t it? All of that is possible with an information security degree.
