2023 is the year of the peak of technological innovation. Everyone is always talking about AI, ML, data analytics, cybercrime, and of course, cybersecurity. There is no organization or business in today’s age that doesn’t leverage technology. Remote work is on the rise, e-commerce is gaining pace, more people are now shopping online, etc. All this means the use of tech and data generation has increased manifold. But this has also increased cybercrime.
With technological advancements, on the one hand, our lives improve, and on the other hand, cybercriminals find new ways to exploit people, companies, businesses, and even governmental organizations. All this has resulted in an immense increase in demand for cybersecurity experts. Cyber-attacks cost companies millions of dollars. And thus, all big companies in every sector are looking for cybersecurity professionals to prevent cyber-attacks and offering them higher salaries.
If you are confused about whether you should get a master’s in cybersecurity, this article is for you. Here are five reasons why, in 2023, getting a master’s in cybersecurity will be worth it.
1. Improve Your Skills
Technology is not static. By the time we understand one new invention, two new things have already surfaced. Similarly, cybersecurity is an ever-changing field. There are constant developments, and hackers are always finding new ways to attack people. That’s why you need an updated skillset to stay relevant in this field.
Even though you must have gained knowledge and skills from your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, you need a master’s degree to improve your technical cybersecurity skills. It helps refresh your knowledge and also allows you to learn new skills. You can even obtain your master’s in cybersecurity by enrolling in online degree programs offered by renowned universities. For example, you can enroll in a masters cybersecurity online degree program. Online degree programs are specially designed, keeping working professionals in mind.
In online master’s cybersecurity programs, you get to interact with professors and other classmates who are working in this field at top posts and are a part of cybersecurity research.
2. Job Security
With cyber-attacks becoming rapid and more sophisticated, the need for cybersecurity experts is also soaring. It’s very rare to see a field where demand is constantly outpacing supply. If you want to move forward in this field, this is the best time for that. With a master’s in cybersecurity, you can surely land a good job in any sector with complete job security.
Job security is practically guaranteed, as currently, the world is facing a huge shortage of cybersecurity experts.. This is because the number of industries that need top-notch cybersecurity services is increasing rapidly. Now, not only a huge business or the state needs cybersecurity experts to prevent data breaches, but a lot of diverse sectors like education, health, retail, manufacturing, etc., all of which need cybersecurity professionals.
For reference, the demand for one of the top cybersecurity jobs, i.e., Information Security Analyst, will grow by 35% till 2031.
3. Multiple Job Positions and Higher Pay
With only a bachelor’s in cybersecurity, you might find it difficult to move up in your company or get a promotion. Most companies prefer a cybersecurity expert with a master’s degree for high positions. Because a master’s degree equips you with deep and updated technical knowledge and other soft skills that you need to move forward in your professional life. Thus, a master’s degree will open doors to several high-level cybersecurity roles.
A master’s degree indicates to your employer that you not only possess excellent cybersecurity-related skills, but because of your master’s, you have also gained problem-solving skills and managerial skills. You pay attention to details and can analyze even minor risks to the system. Not only are there several roles you can choose from, but these job positions also come with handsome salaries.
Here are some roles and their potential salary. You can work as an Information Security Officer and earn up to $98,715 annually. As a Security Engineer, you can make $99,220 on average each year. If you choose to work as a Penetration Tester, you will earn you can earn an average salary annual salary of $92,135. Security Administrators earn an average yearly salary of $69,298.
4. Get Your Investment Back
It might seem like a big investment to enroll in a master’s degree program, but a master’s in cybersecurity is worth the investment. A master’s degree in cybersecurity pays for itself typically within a year. With such high-paying jobs you become eligible for because of the master’s degree, it’s a no-brainer that you will recover every penny you invest in getting this degree.
It opens doors for high-paying jobs at even entry-level. Entry-level cybersecurity jobs base pay starts from $69,744, and on average, getting a master’s degree in cybersecurity will cost you almost $30,000, and you can make all this money back in no time.
5. Change The World For The Better
A master’s in cybersecurity will enable you to work with top organizations and the government sector to protect the integrity and confidentiality of millions of people. From the healthcare sector to the communication sector, every business falls prey to different types of cyber-attacks like ransomware, spyware, phishing, data breaches, DDoS attacks, etc. This means the personal, financial, and transactional data of millions of people is at risk.
For example, if a hospital faces a cyber-attack, say, a hacking attack, all the personal health records of patients will become accessible to the attacker. This puts the hospital’s reputation and the patients’ integrity at risk. Police forces, crime-controlling agencies, and company security systems, etc., all over the world are facing cyber crimes. So when you work as a cybersecurity specialist, you prevent people, businesses, organizations, and institutions from becoming prone to such cyber-attacks.
Conclusion
When you are a working professional, you want everything in your job. You want a job that pays well. That ensures job security. A job where you can keep improving yourself. Where you are making a difference and playing a crucial role in an organization, it’s hard for a single job title to combine all these wishes. But if you get your master’s in cybersecurity, you will enjoy all these things in one job. 2023 is all about technological advancements, and to keep up with these developments and succeed in the field of tech, you need to up your academic game.
