By Chetrice Mosley-Romero

When it comes to celebrating someone’s work, we’ve adopted a phrase – the inspiration of which comes  straight out of a comic book – and that is, “not all superheroes wear capes”.

Today is National Superhero Day and, in the world of cybersecurity, we appreciate the work that’s being done every day, as well as through the night, by the more than one million people, who work in cyber across the country. Here in Indiana, it’s an industry that is growing and accounts for more than 12,000 jobs and some 6,000 job openings.

Together, these “cyber” superheroes provide a vital role in our everyday life, through the skills, knowledge and experience they’ve gained to help protect us and keep secure everything from our personal information and our bank accounts to the critical infrastructure that exists within the world we live in (and rely on) – and SO much more.

If you think about it, the qualities of a superhero, as a comic book character, is someone who uses his or her powers to help the world become a better place, and, often times, they dedicate themselves to protecting the public and fighting crime. Talk about the perfect job description.

Of course, this is perfect timing as many of Indiana’s cyber heroes are meeting tomorrow at the next quarterly meeting of the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity (IECC). These group of heroes have donated millions of dollars in services and hundreds of hours since 2017 to provide cybersecurity resources for those who need it most in Indiana.

Add to that, more of Indiana’s colleges and universities – public and private – are offering cybersecurity as part of their degree programs and thanks to initiatives, such as CyberStart America and events, such as the Flipping Finance Challenge, presented by the Indiana Bond Bank, there’s all kinds of opportunities for people to pursue a career in a field that’s in high demand. In fact, it’s estimated, by 2025, there will be more than 3.5 million cyber jobs available worldwide. No doubt, plenty of those jobs will be right here at home in the Hoosier state.

Whether you’re a student in middle school, high school or college, or you’re looking to switch it up and try something new, Technical.ly offers five good reasons to consider a career in cybersecurity, including:

• Cybersecurity jobs are among the fastest-growing career areas nationally, with job openings expected to grow by 31 percent through 2029
• There’s room for people from any kind of career background, including positions for opportunities that includes certification and training, but not necessarily, a college degree or a technical background.
• There is room for upward potential and career growth
• Endless possibilities for specialization within cybersecurity
• You can enjoy work that’s rewarding

Of course, if there’s one aspect that makes this tough while, at the same time, potentially more rewarding is the whole reason we need a superhero, in the first place and that’s the bad guys. Or, as they’re often referred to, bad actors or cyber criminals.

Because of the fact that the frequency and sophistication that’s involved with launching a cyberattack or using a phishing scam continues to increase, that’s where you can make a difference and use your superpowers to help someone safely and securely pay their utility bill or keep someone from hacking into a school or a small business or help to protect a community and keep everyone safe and secure.

For more information about cyber careers in Indiana, visit: www.in.gov/cybersecurity/cyber-careers/ and for the latest FREE resources, best practices, and tips, visit our Indiana Cyber Hub website at: www.in.gov/cybersecurity/.