Cybersecurity applies to technologies, practices, and policies designed to prevent cyberattacks and reduce their impact. For that reason, organizations hire cybersecurity personnel to help them fend off the ever-evolving threats of hacks and security breaches. Fortunately, those interested in pursuing this field can look into the many courses available online. Given just how vast cybersecurity is, learners must understand what each role can offer to make an informed career decision.
Career options in cybersecurity
Several courses are available online, each teaching learners a distinct aspect of cybersecurity. But before choosing, it is best to know what career options are available. This can help learners choose a relevant course or field of study.
Cybersecurity analyst
With 26,000 job openings in the country alone, it is safe to say that cybersecurity analysts are considered the frontline defenders of any organization’s digital assets. They are responsible for monitoring networks, looking for any vulnerabilities within their organization’s data security framework, investigating cyber-attack incidents, reporting architectural vulnerabilities to their management, and implementing security measures to safeguard the company against a wide range of cyber-attacks. Besides that, they are also responsible for monitoring security access, analyzing data breaches, conducting vulnerability testing and risk analysis, staying updated on the latest cybersecurity threats and trends, developing disaster recovery procedures, and helping with the conception and creation of security plans.
Security operations center (SOC) analyst
This is an entry-level to mid-level position within the cybersecurity teams of various organizations. These professionals are responsible for maintaining a company’s security posture in real-time by monitoring and responding to major cybersecurity incidents.
SOCs work relentlessly throughout the day as their expertise is continually needed in organizations. They are expected to detect, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity incidents. Key responsibilities include investigating and triaging security incidents, coordinating incident response activities, performing log analysis and threat hunting, monitoring security alerts using advanced cyber tools and systems, and maintaining or updating a company’s security monitoring infrastructure.
This position is both high-pressure and lucrative due to its significant importance to organizations. Additionally, gaining expertise and experience in this role can lead to more advanced opportunities within the cybersecurity field.
Cybersecurity engineer
The cybersecurity engineer position is in high demand this year, with over 30,000 job openings in the country alone. Only those with extensive experience and a diverse skill set can secure this advanced role in companies or advance to this level.
Cybersecurity engineers are typically just a few tiers below the executive level in many organizations. While standard online cybersecurity degrees or training courses will not automatically elevate learners to this position, professionals can work their way up by gaining enough experience and applying their knowledge practically.
Cybersecurity engineers are the foundation of a company’s cybersecurity framework. Their responsibilities include conducting penetration testing and regular security assessments, developing and enforcing security procedures and policies, architecting and overseeing the implementation of secure network solutions, responding to security incidents, mitigating them at a high level, and managing a company’s firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
AI and machine learning security expert
Over the last decade, machine learning, computer vision, and AI, in general, have risen to prominence, especially in the corporate landscape. The integral nature of AI in today’s business operations means that these professionals occupy the advanced or specialized job position tier in many organizations.
Their responsibilities include assessing and mitigating cybersecurity risks in complex AI systems, ensuring the ethical use of AI technologies, developing secure AI models and algorithms, implementing privacy-preserving techniques for AI data, and collaborating with their employer’s AI developers and data scientists to integrate AI-driven security measures in their data protection architecture.
Things to consider when choosing cybersecurity courses
Individuals interested in cybersecurity must research and consider their career path before enrolling in any course. They need to choose a particular sub-field of cybersecurity and pay attention to certain factors that determine the quality and effectiveness of their courses.
Career goals
Individuals should envision their future careers before setting specific goals and objectives to turn that vision into reality to succeed in cybersecurity. Some of the highest-paying roles in this field include cryptographer, forensic expert, security administrator, penetration tester, security assessor, and security engineer. Those interested in these positions should choose courses that cover the essential details and skills required for each role.
Accreditation of courses
Reputable institutes support many online cybersecurity degree programs and courses. These courses receive accreditation from authoritative educational governing bodies across the country. Essentially, suppose a course has accreditation from a reputed educational body. In that case, it is credible, and listing it in the CV can add considerable weight and value to an individual’s career portfolio.
Placement statistics
The ultimate goal of taking a course is to acquire expertise in a specific field, secure employment, and generate income from their learning. Learners must look for cybersecurity-paid training with a 100% job placement record. Such courses guarantee that learners receive job offers from reputable organizations upon completion.
Other factors include faculty expertise, program flexibility, hands-on experience, and updating the content course to align with the latest industry standards. Most of the popular cybersecurity training courses offer these features.