Cybersecurity remains a field with a significant demand for skilled professionals. With the advent of generative AI and the looming future of quantum computing, the need for security experts in the tech world is set to skyrocket.
James Walsh, business director at Hays UK and Ireland, highlights the shifts within the industry post-pandemic, noting that flexible working has become a key factor in attracting talent.
Shifts in Cybersecurity Recruitment
Walsh observes a transition away from traditional education in the cybersecurity sector. While degrees are still valued, there’s a growing emphasis on skills, attributes, and tangible experience. Apprenticeship programs and bootcamps are becoming more prevalent, offering new pathways into the industry. Additionally, professionals from diverse backgrounds, such as IT, compliance, data-centric roles, project management, business analysis, and risk management, are increasingly moving into roles in this field.
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Advice for Jobseekers
Walsh advises jobseekers to immerse themselves in the community through podcasts, online forums like TryHackMe or TrustedSEC, and networking events. Practical experience can be challenging to gain, but engaging with online communities, seeking mentorship, and attending free networking events can provide valuable insights and opportunities. He also emphasizes that cybersecurity roles are not just about deep technologies but also involve understanding regulations and translating risks to business stakeholders.
Most In-Demand Jobs
Sybil Van Riper Kleinmichel, managing expert of cybersecurity at Hays in Germany, has identified the five most sought-after jobs in this field:
- Cybersecurity Engineer
- Cybersecurity engineers design and implement IT solutions to protect networks from cyberattacks. They perform penetration testing, assess vulnerabilities, and ensure robust security controls.
- Cybersecurity engineers design and implement IT solutions to protect networks from cyberattacks. They perform penetration testing, assess vulnerabilities, and ensure robust security controls.
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Analysts protect networks from hackers and phishing scams, investigate data breaches, and provide recommendations for improving IT security.
- Analysts protect networks from hackers and phishing scams, investigate data breaches, and provide recommendations for improving IT security.
- IT Auditor
- IT auditors develop and improve security practices within a company’s technical architecture, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
- IT auditors develop and improve security practices within a company’s technical architecture, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
- Information Security Manager
- These managers ensure the safety of informational assets by designing and implementing security policies, measures, and tools across various functional areas.
- These managers ensure the safety of informational assets by designing and implementing security policies, measures, and tools across various functional areas.
- Security Architect
- Security architects identify and address IT and cyber vulnerabilities, working with IT teams to mitigate risks and enhance security.
By understanding these trends and leveraging the advice from industry experts, jobseekers can navigate the cybersecurity landscape and find rewarding opportunities in this critical field.
