By Valinda Scarbro Kennedy

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cybercrime is costing the global economy $600 billion per year. Denial of service, malware, ransomware, phishing and digital identify theft are but a few of the examples of tactics used by cyber criminals to create disruption of service.  “The average cost of a data breach is now $3.86 million, and, on average, it takes 280 days to identify and contain a breach. And the costs continue to rise.

These cyber threats require constant awareness of our digital footprint. Countries, businesses, and individuals live with the advantages that technology puts at our fingertips, but it also multiplies the risk exponentially.

This backdrop has led to an exponential increase in the number of roles and jobs needed in this already high demand field.   The gap for the critical skills to identify, contain and recover from a breach continues to push the need higher for cyber security skills.   This has created the market for job opportunities and options.

Cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand skills across all industries. There’s a huge gap that exists between the continued high demand for cybersecurity professionals and the ongoing shortage of talent. In fact, Frost & Sullivan predicts that the growing gap between available qualified cybersecurity professionals and unfulfilled positions will reach 1.8 million by 2022.

Everyone, and especially women, can thrive in this field because it provides an expansive roadmap of opportunities and options.  This is a field that requires constant learning and engagement. Which also means this is a great field to work in from remote locations.  No day-to-day reporting to work 9-5; instead, many cyber security jobs provide flexibility and adaptability.  For those who have expertise in many of the highly specialized disciplines, this could be a dream job.

Opportunities for remote work, lots of travel or limited travel, team-engagement, and on-going skills development are all key variables for those who are highly successful in these roles.  With great need comes great options:  public sector or private sector, urban or rural, small or large companies, or domestic or international work. Even more options are being added daily based on the growing need for this global skill.

There are many tools showing the roadmap from entry level skills to more senior positions. The benefit is seen in more and more real-life leaders where women are the cyber security heroes of the story.  One such hero is IBM Fellow Rhonda Childress who recently shared her story with students about what she and her team do in aiding IBM clients around the globe. Another hero is IBM’s Heather Ricciuto, who is lead IBM’s messaging working with students to enable them to see the benefits of going into cyber security fields.

Technology is indeed providing more high paying job opportunities for the right talent with the right skill.  If you want to explore cyber security as a potential area of interest, there are three steps you can take right now:

First, Cyberseek is an outstanding tool to define what some of the specific job titles are in this space and where they fall on the experience spectrum.

Second, check out the resources on the Indiana Cybersecurity Hub. Especially if you are in Indiana, but even if you are elsewhere because the resources in many cases can be used not only by those in Indiana, but as well by others, or as a model for others to consider.

Finally, if you are connected with any accredited academic institution (middle school, high school, college, etc.), use your school email address and sign up for IBM’s Getting Started with Threat Intelligence & Hunting Course and get one of your first cybersecurity badges.

These are your first three steps in an exciting journey! Lead the way Superwomen!