As more and more businesses look to shift to the digital, security issues and threats from cybercriminals are on the rise. If the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us anything, it is that businesses need to now have robust and dependable security infrastructures in place at all times.
Given the rise in threats and attacks, there is a growing demand for cybersecurity professionals in the industry. In other words, professionals with a certain skill set are being pursued by businesses, both big and small.
In this article, we are going to look at the five major cybersecurity skills that can help you land lucrative opportunities in the private and public sphere. However, before we get to the list of skills, let us first look at the role of a cybersecurity expert.
What does a Cybersecurity Expert do?
In very simple words, a cybersecurity expert is expected to manage, secure, and maintain a company’s digital assets. These trained highly skilled professionals to carry out everything from threat perceptions to testing digital endpoints and touchpoints of a business.
Ensuring that the information-sharing systems of companies are secure is what constitutes the bulk of their tasks. They need to be experts in both proactive and retroactive security solutions.
With increasing digital systems and amplifications like IoT, Cloud Security, Blockchain, and AI being thrown into the mix, the role of a cybersecurity expert is more important than ever.
According to data, the average salaries of such professionals are expected to rise by $15000 in 2021, making it one of the most profitable career and employment opportunities in the world.
List of 5 Major Cybersecurity Skills that are in Great Demand in 2021
1. Application Development Security Skills-
This skill corresponds to being one step ahead of threats and attacks. It involves a lot of testing to see which areas are more vulnerable to attacks and then taking steps to ensure that they are protected in the best possible fashion. Attackers look to gain access, plant bugs, try for modifications to the app. This is an important asset for a business; hence, security is essential.
2. Cloud Security Skills-
Every business has or is in the process of shifting its data and servers to the cloud. Using the cloud brings a lot of efficiency and ease of working. However, it is also not one of the safest environments. Many cybercriminals tend to attack the cloud as access to one mainframe routinely exposes the assets and data of hundreds of businesses. Cloud skills are in demand.
3. Risk Management and Assessment Skills-
Cybersecurity experts need to be creative, technically proficient, foresighted, and detail-oriented freaks- all at the same time. This means that they should always be trying to find ways to keep their knowledge and education about cyber threats updated. They should know about PKI, Certificate Management, Code Signing, etc. You can learn more on these topics here.
4. Firewall and Perimeter Security Skills-
With the pandemic resulting in WFH scenarios, the demand for firewall experts has shot through the roof. This skill mainly concerns itself with ensuring that the best network security is in place at all times. It also means extending the perimeters of the firewall to all employees regardless of where they are working from. The key is to secure the company’s digital perimeter.
5. Advanced Response and Analytical Skills-
What happens when there is an actual threat? How are you going to neutralize it, immediately employ safety mechanisms and work to address the situation? All this falls under the skills of a cybersecurity expert that specializes in Advanced Response. In this expertise, the analytical skills matter. The aim is to act as fast as possible and to limit the extent of the damage.
The Bottom Line
If data is indicative of anything, it is that the field of cybersecurity is going to grow at an alarming rate. The online threats do not seem to decrease any time soon as new areas of digital touchpoints continue to be innovated upon and used. If you have any other questions that you would like us to answer on job profiles in the field of cybersecurity, let us know in the comments section below.
