Career spotlight: cyber security

As the world has become increasingly connected, so too the need for security to protect those connections. For a long time, cyber security was as shrouded in mystery as the threats it was attempting to nullify, and the almost monthly announcements of breaches from giant companies like Sony, eBay, banks and insurers, the industry has been attracting attention.

A market that just keeps on growing

The cyber security market in Australia is expected to be worth more than $200 billion by 2020. Digital technology is an inexorable part of daily life and with its advantages comes the inevitable crime and malicious activity. As more business and personal communication is conducted with 1s and 0s, the cyber security industry needs to remain a step ahead the whole way.

There are roles, such as ethical hackers, that are designed to find exploitable errors and entry points before a criminal can take advantage, while others like digital forensics are aimed at gathering evidence and conducting an investigation after an attack. Other top roles include:

  • Security auditor
  • Security software developer
  • Cryptographer
  • Cryptanalyst
  • Security consultant

Tertiary education is vital for roles such as these, with all requiring a degree-level qualification, and many also needing further postgrad study.

Cyber security skills shortage

Australia is facing a significant cyber security skill shortage, with demand for qualified professionals continuing to outpace supply. As organisations increasingly rely on digital technologies, the need to protect sensitive data and systems from cyber threats has never been more critical.

According to AustCyber, Australia is projected to require an additional 30,000 cyber security specialists by 2026 to meet growing industry demands. This shortage spans both technical roles, like penetration testers and security analysts, and strategic positions in risk management and policy development. As a result, cyber security professionals are highly sought-after across industries such as finance, healthcare, government, and education.

This shortage presents exciting opportunities for students and job seekers looking to enter a fast-growing, future-proof career with strong job security and competitive salaries.