Ready to embark on an in-demand career path with plenty of opportunities for specialization and advancement? If so, then a career in cybersecurity may be right for you. Each day, new cybersecurity threats lurk around seemingly every corner of the web, and cybersecurity professionals play a critical role in thwarting attacks.
So, what exactly can you do with a degree in information technology and cybersecurity? There are more options to explore than you might think.
Why Cybersecurity Is One of the Fastest-Growing Career Fields
As instances and severity of cybersecurity threats continue to rise, organizations continue to rely on skilled professionals to protect networks, data, and systems. In fact, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), rates of cyberattacks have more than doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. This unprecedented rise in cybercrime, data breaches, and hacking incidents has led to a high demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals as businesses and individuals strive to keep their information safe.
High Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals
Across a wide range of industries, cybersecurity professionals are needed to help safeguard information by performing risk assessments, crafting risk mitigation strategies, and taking proactive measures to keep data safe. Meanwhile, according to Cybercrime Magazine, there’s currently a shortage of workers in the cybersecurity field, with an estimated 3.5 million unfilled positions across the globe.
Job Stability
If you’ve been thinking about exploring careers in cybersecurity, now could be a great time to get started with your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information technology, or a related field. Unfortunately, the threat of cyberattacks doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. That said, professionals in the cybersecurity field can generally enjoy a high degree of job stability as a result.
A Career with Purpose and Impact
Finally, when you take a cybersecurity career path, you can enjoy the sense of purpose and fulfillment that comes along with protecting people, businesses, and even government institutions from digital threats. Some cybersecurity professionals may even enjoy the opportunity to work in more specialized areas of the field, including ethical hacking, cybercrime prevention, and national security.
Career Paths in Cybersecurity
A cybersecurity career is hardly one-size-fits-all. Instead, you have the opportunity to pursue any number of different paths based on your unique skills, interests, and industry demands. Still, you can explore some of the most in-demand career paths in cybersecurity below, from entry-level to senior and executive roles.
Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs (0-2 Years Experience)
Students who graduate with a cybersecurity degree typically start in entry-level jobs that provide essential foundational experience in such areas of the field as network security, IT, support, and risk management.
Common Entry-Level Job Titles
- IT Support Specialists – Provide technical support and troubleshooting for security-related IT issues.
- Cybersecurity Analysts – Monitor network traffic and security threats to prevent breaches.
- Network Administrators – Manage firewalls, routers, and network security settings.
How to Learn an Entry-Level Cybersecurity Role
One of the best ways to land your first entry-level job in the field (other than earning your degree) is to pursue additional certifications, including:
In addition to earning certifications to set yourself apart, it’s also helpful to gain some practical experience in the form of internships, labs, or cybersecurity competitions (including Capture the Flag events). In doing so, you can build foundational skills in network security, threat detection, and system administration.
Mid-Level Cybersecurity Careers
With some more experience in cybersecurity areas like network defense, threat analysis, and IT security, you may have the chance to move into more specialized or technical roles in the field.
Common Mid-Level Jobs
- Ethical Hackers – These penetration testers conduct controlled cyberattacks to find weaknesses.
- Security Engineers – Design and implement security systems for businesses and government agencies.
- Incident Response Analysts – Respond to data breaches and cyber threats, working to minimize damage.
- Forensic Analysts – Investigate cybercrimes and digital fraud, often working with law enforcement.
How to Advance to Mid-Level Cybersecurity Roles
Professionals in mid-level cybersecurity roles generally have technical experience and specialized skills in dealing with firewalls, malware analysis, and secure coding. Meanwhile, many professionals in these roles also have additional certifications, such as:
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Experts in these roles may have also worked on real-world security projects with a robust portfolio to show for it.
Senior Cybersecurity Careers (5-10 Years Experience)
With enough experience, industry certifications, and advanced training, cybersecurity professionals may work their way into leadership roles, manage cybersecurity teams, or further specialize their work.
Common Senior-Level Cybersecurity Jobs
- Security Architects – Design comprehensive security frameworks for large organizations.
- Cybersecurity Consultants – Advise corporations or government agencies on security best practices.
- Threat Intelligence Analysts – Monitor global cyber threats and predict potential attacks.
- Cloud Security Engineers – Protect cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) from cyber threats.
How to Move into Senior Roles
Moving into more advanced cybersecurity roles often requires additional certifications in the form of:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty
Experts in this level of the field also tend to specialize in a niche area, with options ranging from cloud security and AI-driven security to IoT security and more.
Executive & Leadership Roles (10+ Years Experience)
With enough experience and expertise, cybersecurity professionals may have the opportunity to transition into strategic leadership roles and executive positions, where they can influence company-wide security policies and make even more of a difference.
Common Executive & Leadership Roles
- Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) – Lead the entire cybersecurity strategy for an organization.
- Directors of Cybersecurity – Oversee all security operations, compliance, and risk management.
- Cybersecurity Researchers – Work in cyber defense research, AI-driven threat detection, and policy development.
How to Become a Cybersecurity Executive
Generally, cybersecurity executives have at least a Master’s in Cybersecurity or an MBA with a cybersecurity focus, in addition to ten or more years of hands-on experience in the field. These professionals must also have a strong understanding of compliance frameworks and other industry regulations. Strong business, leadership, and communication skills are also a must for working with executive teams and government agencies as a cybersecurity executive.
Cybersecurity Career Paths by Industry
No matter where your interests lie, there’s a good chance you can find roles and specializations that align with your interests and goals as a cybersecurity professional. After all, cybersecurity is an incredibly broad field involved in several industries ranging from government and national security to healthcare and medical data security.
Government & National Security
In this realm, cybersecurity professionals may work for the NSA, FBI, Department of Defense, and even Homeland Security to help protect government data and improve national security. Common roles in these areas include:
- Cyber Intelligence Analyst
- Security Engineer
- Digital Forensics Analyst
If any of these sound interesting to you, keep in mind that working in these roles may require you to earn a special security clearance.
Financial & Banking Sector
The financial and banking sector needs experienced and knowledgeable cybersecurity professionals to protect banks, credit unions, and investment firms from financial fraud and data breaches. Common roles in this industry include:
- Fraud Detection Specialist
- Compliance Analyst
- Financial Security Officer
Healthcare & Medical Data Security
These days, healthcare facilities need cybersecurity experts to help them protect their electronic health records (EHRs) and patient data. This is especially important when it comes to following strict compliance regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Common job titles for cybersecurity professionals in this area of the field include:
- Healthcare Security Analyst
- Risk Manager
- Compliance Officer
Technology & Cloud Security
Working as a cybersecurity expert in cloud security often means working with tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft to enhance security in cloud environments. Some roles to explore here include:
- Cloud Security Engineer
- DevSecOps Specialist
- AI Security Researcher
How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Path for You
With so many opportunities available, how can you know which path in cybersecurity is right for you? There are a few things to consider as you explore your options, ranging from your own skills and interests to your professional goals.
Do You Enjoy Problem-Solving & Hacking?
For natural-born problem-solvers, a career as an ethical hacker, penetration tester, or security engineer may be the best fit.
Do You Like Investigating Cybercrimes?
Meanwhile, those more focused on the analytical and investigations side of cybersecurity might be a good fit for roles in digital forensics analysis, incident response, or even cyber intelligence.
Are You Interested in Leadership?
If you could see yourself leading a cybersecurity team, then you may want to pursue leadership roles in the field. Some examples of job titles with a leadership component include:
- Security Architect
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Cybersecurity Consultant
Do You Want to Work in Cloud & AI Security?
As cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technology continues to evolve and improve, the need for knowledgeable cybersecurity experts in this field will likely continue to grow. If you’re interested in forging new paths in these areas, you may want to explore career opportunities in cloud security engineering, AI security research, or DevSecOps engineering.
Learn More About the IT & Cybersecurity Degree at Baker College
Is cybersecurity a good career choice? If you’re the type of person who enjoys solving problems and looking at situations analytically, then this career path could be right for you. The same goes if you enjoy working with computers and technology.
If you decide to take this route, having an information technology degree (or similar degree) could help you stand out among other job applicants while providing you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to thrive as a cybersecurity professional. Baker College is proud to offer a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Cybersecurity in both on-campus and online formats. This 120-credit-hour program covers such relevant cybersecurity topics as:
- Network security
- Operating system security
- Risk assessment
- Computer infrastructure
Reach out to learn more about this exciting degree program, or take the next step in completing your online application today!