Starting a career in cybersecurity in 2024 is like gearing up for a mission in the digital frontier – it’s thrilling, necessary, and, let’s be honest, a bit daunting. But it’s also incredibly timely. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, it’s estimated that global cybersecurity spending is expected to exceed $1 trillion cumulatively over the five years leading up to 2024. That’s a colossal investment, signaling just how critical this field has become.

As we’re chatting in 2023, we’ve seen that cyber threats aren’t slowing down. In fact, they’re evolving with a kind of tenacity that would make Darwin proud. Ransomware attacks, for instance, are projected to cost victims globally around $20 billion by the end of this year. That’s a staggering number and a clear signal that the demand for savvy cybersecurity professionals isn’t just a passing trend – it’s a growing career necessity.

So, where do you start in this dynamic field? Well, it’s a bit like constructing your own digital suit of armor, piece by piece. You need to build your foundation with education – think degrees, certifications, and practical experience. The cybersecurity realm is one where continuous learning isn’t just encouraged; it’s required to stay ahead of the cyber baddies.

Diving in headfirst by getting hands-on experience through internships or entry-level positions is key. This is a field where the phrase “learning by doing” is practically a battle cry. The trenches of IT support or a network operations center can be great places to cut your teeth.

And since you’re curious about this in 2023, you’re in luck. The Bureau of Labor Statistics was already forecasting a 31% growth in cybersecurity jobs from 2019 to 2029 – a rate much faster than the average for all occupations. And that momentum hasn’t shown signs of stopping as we approach 2024.

So, if you’ve got a knack for technology and a desire to be on the front lines of the digital age’s most critical battles, cybersecurity is your calling. Gear up, stay sharp, and welcome to the realm where your skills help guard the digital gates.

A recent study by the ISC² found that, despite COVID-19 and economic pressures, organizations plan to increase cybersecurity staffing over the next 12 months. So “How to start a career in cyber security”? 

How to Start a Cyber Security Career in 2024?

Quick Tip

Important steps to start a career in cybersecurity:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, or a similar field.
• Knowledge of firewalls and various forms of endpoint security.
• Knowledge of languages/tools such as C++, Java, Node, Python, Ruby, Go, or Power Shell is an added advantage.
• The ability to often work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Possess the right eye for detail and outstanding problem-solving skills.
• Up-to-date knowledge of the latest Cyber Security trends and hacker tactics.

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the defence against cyber threats to systems connected to the internet, including their hardware, software, and data. The method is used by people and companies to protect against illegal access to data centres and other digital systems.

A solid cybersecurity plan can offer a good security posture against malicious assaults intended to gain access to, alter, delete, destroy, or extort sensitive data and systems belonging to a business or user. Security measures are essential in preventing attacks that try to take down or impair a system or device’s functionality.

Now that many companies, financial sectors, and government organizations are looking forward to protecting their data from hackers or cybercriminals. These attacks must be handled by engineers, pen testers, security testers and other professionals to prevent the attack. 

Why Cybersecurity is important? 

• Cybersecurity is important across different sectors such as government organizations, startups, mid and large enterprises and even for personal use. But why do think security is very important?
  
• Gone are the days of simple firewalls and antivirus software being your sole security measures. Cyber threats can come at any level of your organization So, educating your employees about simple scams like phishing, ransomware attacks or other malware designed to steal intellectual property or personal data.
  
• Cybersecurity risk is increasing and without its help, your organization cannot defend itself against data breach campaigns.
  
  So, all these factors are directly related to an increase in job opportunities. Before moving to the actual topic, let’s see some of the common questions that cybersecurity aspirants have in their minds.

Let’s get started! 

What is the difference between Information security vs. cybersecurity?

Cyber Security	Information Security
Focuses on online threats	Takes a view of the security landscape
Cyber professional learns to think like a hacker	Information security deals with the protection of data
Should understand malicious software in dept	Oversees unauthorized access
Acts as the first line of defence	Makes strategy to recover from a breach

What is the difference between Network security vs. cybersecurity?  

Network Security	Cyber Security
Network security protects the data flowing over the network.	Cybersecurity protects the data residing in the devices and servers.
A subset of cybersecurity.	A subset of information security.
Protects in the network realm.	Protects in the cyber realm.
Protection from DOS attacks.	Protection from cyber-attacks.
Network Security strikes against trojans.	Cyber Security strikes against cyber crimes
Viruses and worms.	Phishing and pre-texting.
Network security protects the transit data only.	Cybersecurity protects entire digital data.
It secures the data travelling across the network by terminals.	It deals with the protection of the data resting.

Is Cyber Security Right for Me?

Before Starting a Career in Cybersecurity

Ask the below questions yourself…

• Do I have any certifications related to the cybersecurity field?
• How to get started with cybersecurity?
• What skills would I need for a career in computer security?
• How will I get experience in this field?
• Is there a lot of travelling involved in IT security roles?
• Are there entry-level/internship opportunities available?
• How are the career advancement opportunities?

I’ll try to answer most of the above questions in the article, like how to get started with cybersecurity, skills, and job outlooks — but others will be dependent on your goals and the demand from employers where you live.

How to start a career in cybersecurity?

To get started with cybersecurity, one must understand Cyber Security Prerequisites: 

In general, Cyber Security  prerequisites are: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, or a similar field.
• Knowledge of firewalls and various forms of endpoint security.
• Knowledge of languages/tools such as C++, Java, Node, Python, Ruby, Go, or Power Shell is an added advantage. 
• The ability to often work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Possess the right eye for detail and outstanding problem-solving skills.
• Up-to-date knowledge of the latest Cyber Security trends and hacker tactics.

Note: Different organizations may have different prerequisites.

The Top Skills Required for Cybersecurity Jobs

• Problem-Solving Skills
• Technical Aptitude
• Knowledge of Security Across Various Platforms
• Attention to Detail
• Fundamental Cyber Forensics Skills
• A Desire to Learn
• An Understanding of Hacking
• The ability to make decisions with confidence and show initiative
• To be able to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• To be well organised and able to manage their own time
• The ability to work creatively and think outside of the box
• Strong communication skills, as well as the ability to adapt communication styles to suit different audiences
• To have a clear understanding of confidentiality issues and related laws
• Inquisitive nature and a keen interest in the IT sector

Cybersecurity career path

Cybersecurity offers several options for job seekers to launch and enhance their careers. This interactive career pathway displays the most important positions in the cybersecurity industry, popular routes for between-position transitions, and comprehensive details on the compensation, qualifications, and skill requirements for each position.

Check out entry, mid and advanced level cyber security career paths.

Entry Level	Mid Level	Advanced Level
Cybersecurity Specialist	Cyber security Analyst	Cyber security manager
Cyber Crime Analyst	Cyber security Consultant	Cyber security Engineer
Incident Response Analyst	Penetration Tester	CISO
Risk Analyst	Testing and hacking	CIO
IT Auditor	Management and administration	Engineering and architecture

Entry-Level Cyber security Career Path Details

Entry Level	Skills Required	Salary
Cybersecurity Specialist	Strong IT skills Sharp Attention to detail. Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of IT systems.	Cyber Security Specialist is ₹11,31,084 per year in India.
Cyber Crime Analyst	Scripting. Hacking. C Networking. Operating Systems.	Cyber Crime Analyst in India is 5 Lakhs per year
Incident Response Analyst	Attention to detail Technical writing and documentation Intrusion detection tools Forensics software	Incident Response Analyst salary in India ranges from ₹ 2.0 Lakhs to ₹ 31.2 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 5.1 Lakhs.
Risk Analyst	Risk Management Procedures Data Analysis Risk Assessments Regulatory Agencies	The average salary for Risk Analyst is ₹5,12,302 per year

Mid-Level Cyber security Career Path Details

Mid Level	Skills Required	Salary
Cyber security Analyst	Scripting. Controls and frameworks. Operating systems. Cloud. DevOps.	The average salary for a Cyber Security Analyst is ₹5,44,411 per year
Cyber security Consultant	Penetration Testing. Ethical Hacking Persistent Threat Management. Firewall Safety and Management Encryption Techniques and Capabilities.	Cyber Security Consultant salary ranges between ₹ 5.5 Lakhs to ₹ 19.7 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 9.5 Lakhs
Penetration Tester	Network security. Programming languages Threat modeling. Linux, Windows, and MacOS environments. Pentest management platforms.	Average salary for a Penetration Tester in India is 7 Lakhs per year

Advanced-Level Cyber security Career Path Details

Advanced Level	Skills	Salary
Cyber security manager	Communication. Information security and systems. Information assurance. NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Linux.	Cyber Security Manager salary in India ranges from ₹ 13.1 Lakhs to ₹ 41.8 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 24.3 Lakhs.
CISO	Information security risk management Cybersecurity technologies strategy. Strong understanding of Linux, virtualization, and networking concepts.	Chief Information Security Officer salary in India ranges from ₹ 16.8 Lakhs to ₹ 99.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 35.5 Lakhs.
CIO	Fusing business and technology strategies. Developing talent. Designing the IT operating model.	The average salary for a Chief Information Officer (CIO) in India is ₹4532197.