Cybersecurity Jobs are in High Demand

There are more than 700,000 cybersecurity job openings across the United States, according to recent data from Cyber Seek, and more than 70,000 of those job openings are in California. For those considering a career in cybersecurity, now is the time to take the leap.

As demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to grow, companies have been changing their recruitment strategies to meet their own high demand. According to a 2019 report by cyber scoop, fifteen major companies, including Apple, Facebook, Google and IBM, announced changes to their recruitment to expand the pool of eligible candidates. Candidates will no longer be required to have a four-year degree, as the requisite cybersecurity knowledge, tools and skills evolve much faster than traditional academic universities can match in pace.

Additionally, these companies have reworked job descriptions, including simplifying requirements to reflect core requirements rather than the full list of preferred qualifications and removed gendered language or other language that may cause some candidates to feel they would not fit the role. According to a Hewlett Packard internal report,  women feel they need to meet 100% of job requirements in order to apply to jobs, whereas men apply when they only meet 60% of the requirements. Simplifying requirements will help encourage more qualified candidates to apply, as a laundry list of requirements can deter some qualified applicants from applying. Also, the trend of "fun" job titles and descriptors are being revised, as companies are removing words like “ninja,” “rockstar,” “competitive,” and “confident” that may unnecessarily deter applicants by implying qualifications that aren't actually needed. The goal is to reduce the gender gap in cyber security, and tech at large, by making the application process and career prospects more accessible and welcoming to all people.

Those interested in pursuing a career in this high-demand sector that has a median average salaray of $102,600 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, can get the necessary training to become a cybersecurity professional in just 24 weeks, with UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Cybersecurity Boot Camp. The part-time program is currently offered online through a virtual classroom experience and features a multidisciplinary approach in attaining proficiency in IT, networking and modern information security. Taught by skilled industry professionals, students gain real-world experience and hands-on training with popular tools—including Wireshark, Kali Linux, Metasploit and Nessus—and learn skills applicable to certifications such as the CompTIA Security+, Network+, Linux+, Server+, Cloud+ and certified Ethical Hacker. Students participating in the program also benefit from a comprehensive set of career services, including technical interview training, one-on-one career coaching, soft skills training and more, to help them succeed in the job market upon program completion.