It’s easy to forget how far technology has come in the last couple of decades. The shift from an analog world to one where billions of people can access the internet from a portable device happened rapidly. The long-term outcomes – good and bad – are still emerging. The sheer amount of data being stored, processed and transacted has made many parts of our lives more convenient, but it has also introduced major risks.
Data breaches and their consequences are becoming much more common, leaving many people concerned about their vulnerability. A lack of preparedness and understanding of cybersecurity risks is one of many reasons for this.
This trend has created a major initiative across all industries and sectors to bolster data security, minimize employee risk, and improve responses to security threats. Organizations of all types and sizes are now hiring dedicated cybersecurity teams to support internal efforts and meet increasingly stringent data privacy legislation. However, demand for cybersecurity professionals still outpaces supply, creating a cybersecurity professional gap. The rapid evolution of technology is creating new risks faster than many organizations can address.
In short, it’s a good time to learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity and explore a career in this fast-growing field. Cybersecurity can be a highly rewarding career path that plays a central role in many industries for years to come. If you’re interested in working in cybersecurity, here’s an overview of what these roles often involve:
Cybersecurity in the Private Sector
Cybersecurity professionals in the private sector have responsibilities that include educating and improving internal security practices, penetration testing, and security analysis of current and future products and services. One of the key dynamics of cybersecurity is the aspect of human psychology and fallibility, which can be seen in everything from password management to software development.
These professionals serve as internal educators, advocates and monitors of cybersecurity best practices, teaching employees about password managers, safe internet use and physical security vulnerabilities. Private sector cybersecurity professionals also work with product teams to think about the ways they collect sensitive information and how they can reduce the risk this poses. One of their most critical responsibilities is responding to security breaches, should one occur, triaging the response and patching the issue.
The advantage of working in the private sector is that you’ll often be on the forefront of new cybersecurity tools and trends. Because you’ll likely be working with new products, you may have more leeway to come up with inventive solutions and approaches.
Cybersecurity in the Public Sector
Working as a cybersecurity professional in the public sector can be especially meaningful, as it
supports public services that people rely on daily. It often comes with higher stakes than private sector work, since government systems work with highly sensitive data that can be subject to public and legal scrutiny. Research shows that most Americans do not feel much trust in the government’s ability to securely manage their data, which can be a challenging perception to shift.
Like the private sector, cybersecurity professionals in the public sector are tasked with designing systems and setting standards that strike a balance between security and usability. As a purveyor of a public service, you’ll need to ensure that service is accessible and comprehensible to the average user. Creativity is key in striking this balance. You may be called on to build tools that are both secure and user-friendly, all while meeting strict security standards.
Another key component of public sector cybersecurity is tracking, analyzing and countering foreign and domestic cybersecurity threats. Both cybercrime and cyberterrorism have become increasingly common in recent years, leading many components of the United States government – such as the Department of Homeland Security – to invest in countermeasures.
These can include everything from vulnerability research, direct response to security incidents, public and internal cybersecurity education and advocacy, to the development of new and innovative cybersecurity tools and strategies.
The Duties of Cybersecurity in Various Industries
Depending on the organization and industry, cybersecurity professionals may focus on reducing the attack surface of their organization, replacing outdated security tools, or testing their organizational readiness. These practices are all part of a broader effort to help organizations in every sector and industry catch up with the pace of digital technology.
A major component of cybersecurity work is also vetting new technologies and testing out digital products and offerings, like AI, particularly anything considered mission critical. Cybersecurity pros focus on identifying internal practices that create risks and educate their co-workers on data security, password management and other best practices.
Cybersecurity professionals will be tasked with finding inventive new ways to solve technological issues. For example, as practices like two-factor authentication become more normalized, cybersecurity professionals will be able to focus on proactive testing and harm-reduction. Fortunately for those considering a career in this field, the sheer number of companies and industries augmenting their security efforts means that they will have a wide range of different industries, products and challenges to work on.
Get Your Start in Cybersecurity at Columbia Southern University
Whether you’re weighing options for college or looking to shift careers, our cybersecurity degree programs here at Columbia Southern University are designed to teach you everything from the fundamental theories to cybersecurity policy, law and ethics, as well as practical skills. If you’d like to learn more about our offerings, take a look at our degree programs.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
