Busting Myths About Pursuing a Degree in Cybersecurity

We all know about the gap between cybersecurity professionals and the industry need for them. Many IT and non-IT journals and blogs alike talk about this growing gap. In this article, we will try to understand why this gap exists and what obstacles people face in becoming a cybersecurity professional.

There are so many misconceptions about the cybersecurity profession which act as roadblocks to many aspiring cybersecurity students.

Myths About the Cybersecurity Profession

1. One Must be a Computer Genius to Enter the Industry

It is a common assumption that you need to have a specialized computer degree to get into cybersecurity. This was true until roughly decade ago when security was solely in the domain of technology. Today, the profession of cybersecurity is scattered over various job roles of which many are technical and many others are analytical and business-focused.

Job roles in the industry, such as penetration testing and security architecture, require certain levels of technological proficiency. Other job titles like cybersecurity analyst or network defense, demand the knowledge of various computer networking concepts. A cybersecurity auditor or manager are among the job roles that don’t require pure technological skills. In practice, the profession of information security doesn’t demand technological knowledge, but at large, it requires that you possess analytical, business, and managerial skills. Further, those without technical skills at the beginning of their training can learn these skills alongside the security-focused skills they need to succeed in the industry.

2. The Cybersecurity Career Path has Limitations

When we say cybersecurity, people think “IT.” While cybersecurity jobs can be technical, as we covered above, cybersecurity jobs are so much more than that! As a security professional, you are often required to dig deep into your knowledge and improvise in creative ways to overcome problems.

The job demands that you interact with other team members, management, and learn the business that you are supporting. In order to succeed, security must be an intrinsic part of a company’s business strategy, which means that security professionals are often at the forefront of a company’s growth and innovation. Security requires leadership skills in order to influence a culture, create buy-in with stakeholders, and impact business strategy.

3. Learning from Scratch

Usually, when someone is offered a career shift, it is normal for them to hesitate before jumping at the opportunity out of fear that their existing skills will become irrelevant. This is one of the popular myths related to cybersecurity and the fact is that this is not true.

The field of cybersecurity, though dynamic, is vast, which can help you find a career that matches your skills. As an IT expert with good communication, or a strong leader with knowledge of business processes, you can bring your skills and implement them at various levels of cybersecurity.

4. Money is the Main Benefit in this Line of Work

Many technology jobs are well-paid, most beyond basic industry standards. Large paychecks have inspired many to step into the IT sector, even though their real interest lies in cybersecurity. Thankfully, this trend seems to be taking a steep turn.

In a survey conducted on “teen views on tech careers,” it was observed that young minds want careers that allow them to help other people while providing for themselves. The research has identified that teens are now concentrated on skill-oriented jobs and not just money-oriented.^[2]

If you are looking for a job that can buy you recognition and give you a sense of importance in the community along with exciting perks, then cybersecurity would be a great option.

Your Next Step

Your education, experience, and your location are not constraints to exploring a career in cybersecurity. For rewarding career prospects, you can attain a Bachelors or Masters degree with EC-Council University.

ECCU offers Bachelor and Master cybersecurity degree programs, as well as, Graduate Certificate Programs. Our training is a blend of conceptual learning, industry knowledge, and real-time practicals. We provide access to the iLabs to provide effective learning with real-time industry exposure. For more information visit:

Masters: https://www.eccu.edu/academics/master-of-science-in-cyber-security/

Bachelors: https://www.eccu.edu/academics/bachelor-of-science-in-cyber-security/

Sources:

[1] https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-tables-and-tools/data-profiles/2014/

[2] https://www.creatingitfutures.org/resources/research