Uptree

In our increasingly interconnected world, the importance of cybersecurity has never been clearer. Digital technology has seen rapid growth in recent years and has brought about so many new opportunities and challenges. There has never been a better time to explore cybersecurity as a career, dive into the various career paths available and complete our free online careers course.

Cybersecurity is how individuals and organisations reduce the risk of cyber attacks. It’s like a superhero protecting our computers, phones and gadgets from cyber threats. In simple terms it uses tools to lock digital doors and windows to make sure only authorised people get into your data. In our digital world, cybersecurity helps ensure our digital stuff stays private and doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. That’s why more and more jobs are opening up within the field.

So what is a cyber attack? A cyber attack is an unwanted attempt to steal, expose, alter, disable or destroy information through unauthorised access to computer systems. Without sufficient cybersecurity, cyber criminals could perform modern bank robberies, using malware to access our online accounts and even stealing our money.

In August 2021 the UK’s biggest data breach occurred against the UK Electoral Commission. Cyber criminals gained access to the UK’s electoral registers, containing an estimated 40 million people’s personal information, this included names, email addresses, home addresses, phone numbers.

Jobs in cybersecurity

• Chief Information Security Officer - they ensure the complete safety of information in an organisation and are responsible for developing and maintaining information security and risk management programs.
• Cybersecurity Engineer - they plan security measures to prevent the organisation from a cyber attack and are responsible for protecting the organisations networks and data.
• Malware Analyst - they identify and examine cyber threats to understand their nature and are responsible for developing malware tools and documenting the methods to avoid malware threats.
• Computer Forensics Analyst - they work on cyber attack cases to gather digital evidence and retrieve data and are responsible for recovering deleted, manipulated or stolen data.
• Cloud Security Specialist - they protect data, systems and networks from cyber attacks and are responsible for analysing threats and vulnerabilities, implementing safeguards, monitoring networks for intrusions, and overseeing compliance with regulations.

The average salary in cybersecurity in the UK is £54,867, with entry roles starting at £40,000!

Entry level job requirements in cybersecurity vary depending on the role, many roles will prioritise related experience over education and require at least a year's experience. However, many companies do require at least an associate degree. There are many entry level roles in cybersecurity, which include; IT technicians, network testers, junior auditors, and cybersecurity technicians. Roles in cybersecurity require technical skills and for you to be a team player, work at a fast pace, have problem solving skills and have critical thinking skills.

The cybersecurity industry is not without its challenges, with new threats emerging regularly. Working within the industry means you need to stay up to date on the latest trends, technologies, and methods of achieving unauthorised access. It can be highly demanding and often involves long hours in high-stress situations.

However, the field also offers lots of opportunities for growth and development with a constant demand for skilled professionals, and salaries are competitive.

As our reliance on digital technology continues to grow, so does the need for skilled professionals who can protect our digital assets and information.

If you are interested in a career in cybersecurity or finding out more about the industry, Uptree has a new online careers course, which is free to complete. Complete the 20-30 minute course to learn about the National Cyber Force partnership, the UK’s defence and intelligence ecosystem, and related early careers opportunities.