The world is evolving at a rapid pace. With the advancement in technology, machines are replacing human effort. As we progress, our daily tasks are taken over by computers and devices. As much as the benefit, this integration of technology provides us; it has its share of disadvantages.
With the growing dangers of data theft and breaches, the importance of cybersecurity has increased immensely. Big IT corporations have fallen prey to hackers. With each passing day, the financial accounts of corporate organizations are getting hacked, and healthcare companies are losing patient data. Moreover, many other companies remain vulnerable to such crimes.
Therefore, the need for cybersecurity experts has risen due to constant security threats. If you plan to pursue a career in cybersecurity, then you have plenty of options.
Following are some pros and cons of getting a degree in cybersecurity:
The Pros
- High In Demand
The growth of cybersecurity is not just limited to the IT sector or technological field. Almost every industry today falls under the digital arena and needs some level of security and digital protection. As a CS professional, you do not have restrictions on specific sectors when it comes to finding a job. From law enforcement to insurance and banking, you can put your skills to particularly every field. The financial industry especially needs professionals, as their data is too sensitive and confidential. Further, the healthcare industry also needs data protection to secure patient information and privacy.
- Return On Investment
Another advantage of a cybersecurity degree is that it has ample opportunities to get a high-paying job in this field. It means that the effort and investment in getting an online masters cybersecurity will pay for itself in the future. The total cost for the master’s degree varies between different institutions, but it is typically about $20,000 to $70,000. A cybersecurity professional, on average, earns $80,000 and above. Which quickly covers all the investments done during the study.
- Job Opportunity
If you consider pursuing a career in cybersecurity, you will feel confident, as jobs are available in the field after graduation. No one will want to invest their time, effort, and money on an industry that leads to a dead end. Luckily, this is not a concern for cybersecurity as the employment rates are burgeoning up to 26% until 2026. This employment rate is almost double the projected employment growth for other industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the employment rate in system design and protection will increase by 56% through 2026.
- Better Career Growth
As a degree holder in cybersecurity, you have better chances of career growth. Just as earning a degree lands you a better job, it also helps to increase your experience. While the short-term goal is to land an entry-level position, the long-term goal is to excel in that career. As you gain experience, you will establish yourself as a valuable addition to potential employers.
- Constant Learning
Thanks to advancements in technology, cybersecurity professionals can learn new skills and methods to outwit cybercriminals. The only way to succeed in this field is through constant learning since it is the key to advancement in the cybersecurity sector. Cybersecurity professionals also need to update their skills and keep on learning countermeasures to ensure cyber protection. They continuously learn the patterns of threats to come up with solutions and strategies to combat these threats.
The Cons
- Lack Of Interaction
One of the disadvantages of online degrees in cybersecurity is the lack of personal interaction due to distance learning. You may have lesser opportunities to interact with other students or interact on a personal level. You may reach out to a diverse pool of students, but one-on-one interaction is not always necessary.
- Repetitive Tasks
Another disadvantage of achieving a degree in cybersecurity is that it involves repetitive or tedious tasks. Just like other sectors, professionals of cybersecurity claim to have the same issue also. The repetition mostly involves tasks that require documentation, logging incidents, or attending meetings for strategy discussion.
- Demanding Job
Additionally, the job sometimes becomes too demanding. Cyber-attack is an unexpected incident, and that can happen anytime, so the professionals have to remain vigilant at all times. Their accessibility includes weekends or evenings that can take a toll on the person. Another added issue is rotating shifts that professionals feel too demanding. The number of times they receive calls or have shift changes may vary, and it produces a real problem for them.
- Lack Of Resources
Industries understand the importance of cybersecurity but seldom allocate resources to have proper management. Jobs in cybersecurity requires constant communication with management for managing and handling funds. While this case is not the same everywhere, this mainly happens with professionals outside of the IT domain. Professionals mention this issue as highly negative.
- Endless Learning
Although learning is a positive trait, for professionals related to cybersecurity, it never ends. Cybercriminals employ new methods of security breaches every day, so cyber protectors need to stay one step ahead of them. Their learning in this regard never stops, and they need to stay equipped continuously with new methods and technologies.
Conclusion
Attaining a degree in cybersecurity has now become the need of this era. With more people becoming knowledgeable about technology and how to access sensitive data, it is essential to train people to secure critical information and prevent it from being misused. Like any other industry, a cybersecurity degree also has its pros and cons. However, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, making it a lucrative field for your successful career.
