Layoffs at big tech companies have made plenty of headlines in the 2020s; a simultaneous surge in cybersecurity jobs has gotten much less attention. The outlook across tech isn’t as bleak as the headlines suggest; the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth “much faster than the average for all occupations” across computer and information technology occupations. Growth in the cybersecurity sector should be particularly robust.
The global cybersecurity workforce totaled 5.5 million people in 2023, with an 8.7 percent increase year over year and nearly 440,000 new jobs, according to a cybersecurity workforce study from ISC2, the world’s leading member association for cybersecurity professionals. The report reveals cybersecurity staffing shortages across the board, with the most significant shortfalls in the following areas:
- Education: 78 percent of respondents reported shortages
- Government (non-military): 78 percent
- Non-profit: 76 percent
- Military/military contractor: 76 percent
- Aerospace: 75 percent
- Healthcare: 74 percent
- Automotive: 71 percent
- Energy/power/utilities: 70 percent
- Insurance: 69 percent
- Food/beverage/hospitality/travel: 68 percent
Bad news for employers is good news for current and aspiring cybersecurity professionals. “In the past year, the cybersecurity workforce has grown by 8.7 percent,” according to the ISC2 report. “In addition, the gap between the number of workers needed and the number available has also continued to grow, with a 12.6 percent increase year over year.”
Similar good news for experienced professionals comes from Cybersecurity Ventures, which reports “a near-zero unemployment marketplace for those with extensive backgrounds.” Company founder Steve Morgan says, “We expect brisk hiring in the cybersecurity space for the rest of this year and through 2025.”
The demand for cybersecurity experts covers tried-and-true positions like information security analyst, the fifth-fastest-growing occupation in the United States. The field also encompasses emerging roles specializing in cloud, DevSecOps, and operation technology. “A new crop of emerging cybersecurity skills can help tech talent look for jobs or create new career opportunities within their current organizations,” Dice reports.
This evolving landscape presents opportunities for career advancement and upskilling in new areas. A University of Tennessee online Master of Science in Computer Science with a cybersecurity concentration can prepare you to take advantage of these emerging opportunities.
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Industry Outlook: Cybersecurity Issues & Trends for 2024
Cybersecurity threats are on the rise, with attacks on multiple fronts:
- Automated teller machine (ATM) cash out
- Corporate account takeover
- Distributed denial of service
- IP spoofing
- Malware
- Phishing
- Ransomware
- Spam
Let’s take a closer look at a few emerging subcategories of cybersecurity.
Internet of Things Cybersecurity
The number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices worldwide—including smartphones, digital assistants, and smart refrigerators and TVs—grows dramatically each year. According to Comparitech, it jumped from 12 billion in 2021 to 16.7 billion in 2023.
“The proliferation of connected devices, along with the advancement of the complexity in IoT use cases (such as autonomous systems and transportation), creates opportunities for multiple players of the value chain,” McKinsey reports. “But it also creates the risk of vulnerabilities that could have catastrophic consequences.”
According to McKinsey, the key to effective, trustworthy IoT security is building security into the design process. The process must incorporate the core functions of the cybersecurity framework, as laid out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology:
- Identification of risks
- Protection against attacks
- Detection of breaches
- Response to attacks
- Recovery from attacks
Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity
AI has established itself as a powerful tool that benefits cybersecurity. Unfortunately, it’s also a powerful tool for cybercriminals. Morgan Stanley lays out some of the pros and cons. Benefits include:
- Detecting attacks better than humans
- Identifying and flagging potential phishing emails
- Simulating social engineering attacks for training purposes
- Analyzing large quantities of data rapidly
Among the drawbacks are:
- Social engineering schemes such as phishing and business email compromise scams
- Password hacking
- Deepfakes, in which hackers use AI to create phony audio or video content to manipulate or scare people
- Data poisoning, in which hackers feed deceptive information to an AI algorithm, producing flawed output
As technology grows ever more sophisticated, so do cybercriminals’ methods. “Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, enable more attackers to make smarter, more personalized approaches, and deepfake attacks will become increasingly prevalent,” writes IBM cybersecurity expert Bonnie Netschert. “Combatting generative AI attacks will involve implementing organization-wide cybersecurity awareness and training.”
Big Data and Cybersecurity
As with AI, Big Data both solves and creates cybersecurity problems. Analyzing large quantities of data can help cybersecurity pros predict and prevent attacks. Big Data can also provide insights into the source of an attack in its aftermath.
“Big data analytics is revolutionizing the field of cybersecurity by providing organizations with powerful tools and techniques to detect, analyze, and mitigate cyber threats more effectively,” writes cybersecurity expert Alexander Norell. “By harnessing the power of big data analytics, organizations can bolster their defenses, improve incident response capabilities, and safeguard their critical assets and data in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.”
The same qualities that make Big Data a powerful cybersecurity tool also create vulnerabilities, as outlined by Hevo:
- Compromised data storage
- Fake data
- Data privacy breaches
- Data access control issues
- Data poisoning
- Employee theft of sensitive information
How a Computer Science MS Prepares You For Existing and Emerging Cybersecurity Jobs
The high demand for cybersecurity professionals has opened up numerous opportunities for people with the proper training. If you’ve read this far, you probably already have a technical background and want to gain an edge in the field. An advanced degree in computer science can prepare new and aspiring tech professionals by filling skill gaps, expanding professional networks, and bringing them up to speed on the latest threats and security measures.
An advanced degree can bring more challenging positions within reach, along with the higher salaries they command. CIO.com reports a salary range of $83,250 to $198,500 for the 15 most in-demand tech jobs in 2024, depending on experience and skill levels.
A Closer Look at Cybersecurity Classes at UT Online
The online Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Tennessee lays out a path to enhanced skills in advanced network protection and potential career advancement. The program offers cybersecurity as one of three career-specific concentrations, along with software engineering and data mining and intelligent systems. At UT, you’ll learn from experts at the vanguard of cybersecurity research.
Online MSCS classes at UT that explore cybersecurity include:
- Applied Cryptography
- Mobile and Embedded Systems Security
- Software Security
- Network Security
- Human Factors in Cybersecurity
Next Steps: Applying to the UT Computer Science Program
For well-qualified cybersecurity professionals, the road is clear, the jobs are plentiful, and the salaries are generous. Expand your expertise and boost your career potential with an online MSCS from UT. Contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about the program and admissions process or start your application today.
