The COVID-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call for many organisations when it comes to cybersecurity. With more employees working remotely, there are more opportunities for cyber criminals to exploit vulnerabilities. There are also concerns over ransomware attacks that weaponize cloud resources. As a result, there is an increasing demand for cyber security professionals who have the right skills and knowledge to protect networks and data. If you have the relevant experience and qualifications, this is an excellent time to pursue a career in cybersecurity. There are many exciting opportunities available, and you can make a real difference in the fight against cybercrime.
In 2022, security professionals will need to collaborate more than ever with their business due to a lack of security.
What is Cyber Security?
- Cybersecurity is a practice of protecting the systems, networks from digital attacks
- Now that many of the companies, financial sectors, and government organisations are looking forward to protecting their data from hackers or cybercriminals. These attacks must be handled by Engineers, Pentesters, Security Testers and other professionals to prevent the attack
Why is Cyber Security important?
- Cybersecurity impacts many different sectors from government organisations, to startups, to mid and large enterprises and can affect you personally at home
- Not too long ago it was possible to use a simple firewall or antivirus software as your sole security measures but this is no longer the case
- Cyber threats can come at any level so it’s important to educate yourself about simple scams like phishing, ransomware attacks or other malware designed to steal intellectual property or personal data
- Cybersecurity risk is increasing and without the right knowledge, companies and you yourself cannot defend yourself against data breach campaigns
Because of these factors there is now an increase in job opportunities, in the UK alone there was a 58% increase in demand for cyber security professionals. With this in mind let’s explore the differences between a few roles.
Network Security vs Cyber Security
While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are key differences between network security and cybersecurity, and understanding them can help you determine which career path is right for you.
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Network Security focuses specifically on protecting the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data as it is transmitted across or accessed through a network. This includes defending against unauthorised access, misuse, malfunction, modification, destruction, or improper disclosure. Network security professionals often work with firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and other network-related hardware and software.
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Cybersecurity, on the other hand, is a broader discipline that encompasses not only network security but also application security, endpoint security, data security, identity management, and more. It covers everything related to protecting systems and data from cyber threats, including social engineering attacks, zero-day vulnerabilities, and insider threats.
In short, network security is a subset of cybersecurity. Professionals working in cybersecurity might still specialize in network protection but also have the scope to cover other domains.
Top Roles in Cybersecurity
If you’re considering a career in this field, here are a few in-demand roles worth exploring:
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Cybersecurity Analyst – Monitors networks for breaches, analyzes threats, and implements security measures.
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Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker) – Simulates cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in systems and networks.
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Security Engineer – Designs and builds secure systems to withstand modern cyber threats.
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Incident Responder – Investigates security breaches and mitigates the damage, working to prevent future incidents.
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Security Architect – Plans and creates security structures and frameworks for entire IT infrastructures.
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CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) – Leads an organization’s cybersecurity strategy and ensures compliance with regulations.
Getting Started in Cybersecurity
The demand is high, but so is the competition. To set yourself apart:
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Earn relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CISSP, or CISM.
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Stay current with evolving threats and technologies through news sources, webinars, and conferences.
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Develop hands-on skills with labs, capture-the-flag (CTF) events, and open-source projects.
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Network with professionals through online forums, LinkedIn groups, or local cybersecurity meetups.
